Linalyl Acetate

Synthetic Ingredient Overview

• 🔎 Chemical Name: 3,7-Dimethylocta-1,6-dien-3-yl acetate

• 🧪 Synonyms: Acetic acid linalyl ester

• 🧬 Chemical Formula: C₁₂H₂₀O₂

• 📂 CAS N°: 115-95-7

• 📘 FEMA: 2638

• ⚖️ MW: 196.29 g/mol

• 📝 Odor Type: Zesty, Fresh

• 📈 Odor Strength: Medium to low (top note)

• 👃🏼 Odor Profile: Fresh, zesty, lavender-like with bergamot and clary sage nuances; woody and faintly floral

• 👅 Flavor Profile: Fruity, pear-like with faint floral tones; used in pineapple, citrus, ginger spice blends (2–15 ppm)

• ⚗️ Uses: Floral-citrus modifier, top note booster, used in lavender, bergamot, petitgrain, and fruity accords

• 🧴 Appearance: Colorless to pale yellow liquid

What is Linalyl Acetate?

Linalyl Acetate is a naturally occurring monoterpene ester found in numerous essential oils, especially lavender, bergamot, clary sage, and petitgrain. Chemically, it is the acetate ester of linalool, and the two are often co-isolated or synthetically combined. The compound can be derived either by esterification of linalool or through total synthesis.

Its importance in perfumery lies in its mild but effective floral-zesty character, which adds lift and realism to citrus and herbal compositions. It is particularly abundant in Lavandula angustifolia (up to 60%), Lavandin (25–50%), and Bergamot oil (30–45%).

Olfactory Profile & Perfumery Applications

Linalyl Acetate features a clean, fresh, herbaceous top note with citrus-lavender character. Slightly floral and faintly woody, it imparts freshness and soft volume to top and heart notes. It plays a key role in:

• Bergamot-forward compositions

• Lavender and petitgrain-based colognes

• Fruity top notes with pineapple, pear, or gooseberry

• Fougère and aromatic accords

It performs synergistically with citronellol and geraniol esters, enhancing bergamot’s freshness and extending citrus lift. However, its poor performance in alkaline environments limits its use in soaps unless strongly fixed.

Industrial & Technical Uses

While primarily used in perfumery, Linalyl Acetate has minor flavoring applications:

• Flavoring agent: Used in citrus and berry flavors (pear, pineapple, gooseberry, peach) at 2–15 ppm

• Functional fragrance: Added to air fresheners and detergents with adequate fixation

• Solubility: Insoluble in water; soluble in alcohol and organic solvents

Due to its relatively low odor tenacity, it is typically used in conjunction with stronger esters or fixed using base modifiers like coumarin, ionones, or benzyl salicylate.

Regulatory & Safety Overview

• IFRA Limits: Regulated under IFRA for potential sensitization; check latest IFRA categories for concentrations

• EU 1223/2009: May contain linalool and limonene; declarable if present above 0.001% in leave-on, 0.01% in rinse-off

• FEMA: 2638 (listed)

• ECHA Classification: Not classified as hazardous; REACH registered

• Toxicology: Non-carcinogenic; may cause mild irritation at high concentrations or in UV-exposed applications

• Phototoxicity: None recorded

✅ Compliant with typical fragrance safety thresholds under standard use levels in fine fragrance and cosmetics.

Additional Information

• Natural vs Synthetic: Natural sources (lavender, clary sage) often provide higher complexity and better tenacity due to isomeric balance. Synthetic versions may offer a cleaner, but less complex profile.

• Stability: Prone to hydrolysis in presence of moisture and mild acid/alkali; best used in anhydrous or alcoholic bases.

• Allergenic Potential: Low but present due to trace linalool; requires declaration in EU markets.

Sources

• Perfume and Flavor Chemicals, S. Arctander, 1969

• Common Fragrance and Flavor Materials, Bauer et al., 2001

• The Merck Index, 15th Ed., Monograph 5551

• PubChem Compound Summary for CID 8294

• IFRA Standards Documentation

• ECHA Substance Information