Amyl Cinnamal is a fragrance ingredient commonly used in perfumes and cosmetic products. It is appreciated for its sweet, floral scent reminiscent of jasmine and is often used to enhance the olfactory profile of formulations.

Chemical Composition and Structure

The chemical composition of Amyl Cinnamal includes:

• Amyl: A five-carbon alkyl chain that contributes to the compound's fragrance properties.
• Cinnamal: An aldehyde derived from cinnamon, which imparts a sweet, spicy note.

Structurally, Amyl Cinnamal features an alkyl chain connected to a cinnamic aldehyde moiety, allowing it to interact with olfactory receptors effectively.

Physical Properties

• Appearance: Typically a clear to pale yellow liquid.

• Solubility: Soluble in alcohol and oils; insoluble in water.

• pH: Neutral.

• Odor: Sweet, floral, and slightly spicy.

• Stability: Generally stable under normal conditions, but can be sensitive to light and air.

Production Process

• Synthesis: Amyl Cinnamal is synthesized through the condensation of amyl alcohol with cinnamaldehyde.

• Purification: The product undergoes purification to remove impurities and ensure quality.

• Formulation: The purified Amyl Cinnamal is incorporated into various cosmetic and fragrance formulations to impart scent.

Applications

• Cosmetics: Commonly included in perfumes, lotions, and creams to enhance scent profiles.

INCI Functions:

Perfuming. Unlike fragrance, which can also contain slightly less pleasant or characteristic odours, the term perfume indicates only very pleasant fragrances. Used for perfumes and aromatic raw materials.

Cosmetic safety

Restricted cosmetic ingredient as III/67 a Relevant Item in the Annexes of the European Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009. Substance or ingredient reported: 2-Benzylideneheptanal

The presence of the substance must be indicated in the list of ingredients referred to in Article 19(1)g when its concentration exceeds: - 0.001% in leave-on products - 0.01% in rinse-off products

Food

Also allowed in foods, but must be reported on the label as it may cause allergies if in quantities greater than those allowed (0.01% in cosmetics that can be rinsed and 0.001% in creams).

Environmental and Safety Considerations

Amyl Cinnamal is generally regarded as safe for use in cosmetics when applied according to recommended guidelines (1). However, it can cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals (2). 

Careful sourcing and formulation practices are essential to ensure that the ingredient is free from harmful contaminants and produced sustainably.

Amyl Cinnamal studies

Molecular Formula    C₁₄H₁₈O

Molecular Weight    202.297 g/mol

CAS  122-40-7   101365-33-7   1331-92-6

EINECS 204-541-5

Synonyms:

• 2-Benzylideneheptanal
• Amylcinnamal
• Cinnamaldehyde, .alpha.-pentyl- 

References__________________________________________________________________________

(1) Api AM, Bartlett A, Belsito D, Botelho D, Bruze M, Bryant-Freidrich A, Burton GA Jr, Cancellieri MA, Chon H, Dagli ML, Dekant W, Deodhar C, Farrell K, Fryer AD, Jones L, Joshi K, Lapczynski A, Lavelle M, Lee I, Moustakas H, Muldoon J, Penning TM, Ritacco G, Sadekar N, Schember I, Schultz TW, Siddiqi F, Sipes IG, Sullivan G, Thakkar Y, Tokura Y. RIFM fragrance ingredient safety assessment, amyl cinnamate, CAS Registry Number 3487-99-8. Food Chem Toxicol. 2024 Jul;189 Suppl 1:114702. doi: 10.1016/j.fct.2024.114702. Epub 2024 May 6. PMID: 38710436.

Abstract. Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper. We wish to confirm that there are no known conflicts of interest associated with this publication and there has been no significant financial support for this work that could have influenced its outcome. RIFM staff are employees of the Research Institute for Fragrance Materials, Inc. (RIFM). The Expert Panel receives a small honorarium for time spent reviewing the subject work.

(2) Schorr WF. Cinnamic aldehyde allergy. Contact Dermatitis. 1975;1(2):108-11. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0536.1975.tb05335.x. PMID: 233871.

Abstract. Positive patch test reactions to 2% cinnamic aldehyde were obtained from 2.8% of 34 males and 9.1% of 55 females. The 9.1% female reactivity may be traceable to perfumed cosmetics. Simultaneous Jasmin allergy is documented as is the occurrence of alpha-amyl cinnamic aldehyde in synthetic Jasmin. The relevance of these reactions is discussed. In two of the patients a proper diagnosis was not made from the original contact history. Only after a screening tray demonstration of cinnamic aldehyde allergy could a relevant history be taken from these patients.

Ulker OC, Kaymak Y, Karakaya A. Allergenicity evaluation of fragrance mix and its ingredients by using ex vivo local lymph node assay-BrdU endpoints. Food Chem Toxicol. 2014 Mar;65:162-7. doi: 10.1016/j.fct.2013.12.036.