Benzyl Acetate

Synthetic Ingredient Overview

• 🏭 Manufacturer: Symrise

• 🔎 Chemical Name: Benzyl ethanoate

• 🧪 Synonyms: Benzyl acetate

• 🧬 Chemical Formula: C₉H₁₀O₂

• 📂 CAS N°: 140-11-4

• 📘 FEMA: 2135

• ⚖️ MW: 150.17 g/mol

• 📝 Odor Type: Fruity

• 📈 Odor Strength: High

• 👃🏼 Odor Profile: Sweet, floral (jasmine), fruity (banana, pear), fresh, slightly balsamic

• 👅 Flavor Profile: Apple, apricot, banana, pear, cherry, strawberry, violet (Arctander)

• ⚗️ Uses: Core floral and fruity component; especially jasmine, gardenia, and muguet. Used in fine fragrance, personal care, and industrial scents.

• 🧴 Appearance: Colorless to pale yellow liquid

What is Benzyl Acetate?

Benzyl Acetate is a synthetic ester derived from benzyl alcohol and acetic acid. First synthesized in 1853, it occurs naturally in essential oils such as jasmine and ylang-ylang. It was identified in jasmine absolute (20–35%) by early 20th-century researchers, including Albert Hesse and Friedrich Müller. Its synthetic accessibility and cost-efficiency helped define its central role in the modern perfumery palette.

As a volatile compound, Benzyl Acetate excels in top to heart note positioning, imparting a crisp, fruity-floral brightness to many fragrance types. It is often layered with benzyl benzoate or benzyl salicylate to balance its volatility with improved tenacity.

Olfactory Profile & Perfumery Applications

Odor Characteristics:

• Floral: Jasmine, muguet, gardenia

• Fruity: Banana, pear, apple

• Sweet: Candy-like, slightly balsamic

• Texture: "Thin" but very diffusive (Arctander)

Functional Roles:

• Floral enhancer: Central in white floral accords (jasmine, tuberose)

• Fruity booster: Adds realism and lift to banana, pear, apricot, and apple notes

• Volume agent: Adds top note brightness in industrial fragrances and fine compositions

Product Categories:

• Fine Fragrances: 1–5% typical; heart note floral compositions

• Personal Care: Up to 3% in shampoos, lotions, conditioners

• Household Care: Up to 5–10% in air fresheners, fabric softeners, detergent fragrances

Blending Partners:

• White florals: Jasmine absolute, ylang-ylang, tuberose

• Fruity elements: Cis-3-hexenol, aldehyde C-18, gamma-undecalactone

• Fixatives: Benzyl salicylate, benzyl benzoate

• Gourmand additions: Vanilla, heliotropin, coumarin (for creamy or sweet direction)

Industrial & Technical Uses

• Functional fragrance blends (detergents, air fresheners): Provides clean, floral top notes

• Flavor industry: Used in trace amounts across numerous fruit profiles

• Cosmetic applications: Volatile floral top note in creams and body sprays

• Technical formulations: Masking agent in low-cost industrial scent blends

Regulatory & Safety Overview

• IFRA Status:

  • No quantitative restriction under IFRA 51st Amendment for most categories

• EU Cosmetic Regulation:

  • Not classified among the 26 mandatory declarable allergens

• FEMA GRAS: 2135

• ECHA Registration: Registered; not classified as hazardous under standard use

• Toxicological Notes:

  • Low skin sensitization risk

  • Mild eye irritant at high concentrations

  • Biodegradable with relatively low aquatic toxicity

Handling Advice:

• Avoid direct contact with eyes or mucous membranes

• Use protective gloves when handling in concentrated form

• Store in light-resistant packaging to minimize ester degradation

Historical & Technical Context

First synthesized in the mid-19th century, Benzyl Acetate became commercially prominent with the rise of synthetic perfumery. It was confirmed as a major natural constituent in jasmine absolute (20–35%) during early GC–MS investigations. By the mid-20th century, it became the most widely used jasmine mimic due to its affordability and high volume production. Despite its low tenacity, its diffusive freshness made it invaluable in everything from soaps to fine fragrance.

Conclusion

Benzyl Acetate is a foundational floral-fruity synthetic ingredient prized for its powerful, jasmine-like character and bright, fruity facets. Although its tenacity is limited, its cost-efficiency, natural occurrence, and blendability make it one of the most enduring esters in perfumery. Whether anchoring a white floral accord or brightening functional fragrance blends, Benzyl Acetate continues to serve as a key tool for perfumers.

Sources

• Perfume and Flavor Chemicals (Aroma Chemicals) – Steffen Arctander, 1969

• IFRA Standards Documentation (51st Amendment)

• FEMA GRAS Database – FEMA No. 2135

• NCBI PubChem CID 8778 – Benzyl Acetate

• Wikipedia – Benzyl Acetate (2024)