CIS-3-HEXENYL PROPIONATE

CIS-3-HEXENYL PROPIONATE (CAS: 33467-74-2) is a highly valuable natural-identical aroma compound widely used in flavor, fragrance, and sensory science. Featuring a cis-3-hexenyl backbone (the characteristic “leaf alcohol” motif) esterified with propionic acid, it offers a fresh, green, fruity, and slightly apple‑like odor profile with excellent volatility and stability, making it an important ingredient in modern flavor and fragrance formulation. Its primary applications are outlined below:

1. Flavor & Fragrance Industry

Key Green Note for Fine Fragrances
The cis-3-hexenyl group is renowned for imparting natural, just‑cut‑grass, and leafy nuances. This compound serves as a essential top note in perfumes, colognes, and personal care products (soaps, lotions, shampoos), blending harmoniously with floral (rose, jasmine), citrus, and herbal accords to create fresh, outdoor‑inspired scents.

Fruit Flavor Enhancer for Food & Beverages
With its fruity, unripe‑apple and pear‑like character, cis-3-hexenyl propionate is widely used in beverage, confectionery, bakery, and dairy applications. It adds a crisp, juicy dimension to apple, strawberry, tropical fruit, and tea‑based flavors, supporting the development of natural and clean‑label taste profiles.

2. Advanced Intermediate & Functional Compound Development

Building Block for Complex Aroma Systems
The ester group allows further enzymatic or chemical modification to produce longer‑chain esters or thioesters with enhanced stability. It is also used as a precursor in the synthesis of deuterated internal standards for aroma quantitation via GC‑MS.

Specialty Chemical Applications
Beyond flavors, this compound finds use in air fresheners, household cleaners, and laundry detergents, where a long‑lasting, fresh green scent is desired. Its low odor threshold and high impact make it cost‑effective for industrial perfumery.

3. Research & Development Applications

Sensory & Consumer Science Studies
Researchers employ cis-3-hexenyl propionate to investigate olfactory receptor interactions, cross‑modal perception (taste‑smell integration), and consumer preference mapping. Its well‑defined odor profile serves as a reference standard in sensory panel training and descriptive analysis.

Process Development & Scale‑Up
The compound is stable under standard storage and processing conditions (e.g., pasteurization, short‑term heating), making it suitable for pilot‑scale flavor compounding, spray‑drying encapsulation, and commercial production of flavored foods and fragranced goods. Its reliable purity and batch‑to‑batch consistency support quality control in high‑volume manufacturing.

4. Handling & Storage

Storage Conditions
Store in tightly sealed, inert (glass or lined metal) containers under cool, dry conditions away from direct sunlight and strong oxidizers. The ester is prone to hydrolysis under highly acidic or alkaline conditions; maintain neutral pH. For long‑term stability, store at 2–8°C under nitrogen headspace.

Intended Use
Cis-3-hexenyl propionate is intended for flavor, fragrance, and research applications. It is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for food use when used in accordance with good manufacturing practices. Not for direct injection or human therapeutic use without appropriate formulation.

Summary

The value of cis-3-hexenyl propionate lies in its unique combination of a natural, highly impactful green‑fruity odor and excellent compatibility with diverse flavor and fragrance systems. This structure enables the creation of fresh, authentic taste and scent experiences, supporting innovation in consumer products, sensory science, and industrial perfumery. Its reliable olfactory properties and stable ester chemistry make it an indispensable ingredient for modern flavor and fragrance formulation.

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