Phenylethyl cinnamate

Other comments :

Phenyl Ethyl Cinnamate is almost odorless. It can only be used for its fixative effect, rather than its particular smell.
Its solubility in alcool is very week. Dipropylene Glycol is usually necessary to solubilize this molecule.
Its smell is less medicinal than the one of Ethyl Cinnamate.

Stability :

Esters may form their corresponding acid in stability

Uses in perfumery :

Phenyl Ethyl Cinnamate is used to bring volume and as a fixative in perfumes. It enlarges the perfume and brings tenacity, especially for rosy notes.

Year of discovery :

Data not available.

Isomerism :

Phenyl Ethyl Cinnamate used in perfumery corresponds to the trans isomer of this molecule. The cis isomer has a relatively similar smell.

Synthesis precursor :

Phenyl Ethyl Cinnamate is not a precursor for the synthesis of another compound of olfactive interest.

Natural availability :

Phenyl Ethyl Cinnamate can be extracted from Populus balsamifera bud extract. Nevertheless, the synthetic molecule is used most of the time in perfumery.

Synthesis route :

Phenyl Ethyl Cinnamate is synthesized by an esterification reaction involving cinnamic acid and Phenyl Ethyl Alcohol. This reaction uses a small quantity of catalysor as concentrated sulfuric acid. A better synthesis yield can result from this reaction by using chlorocinnamic acid or cinnamic anhydride, more costly. This synthesis involves the use of the trans isomer of cinnamic acid.