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Leaf Alcohol (Cis-3-Hexenol) | Première Peau

Q: Is Cis-3-Hexenol (Leaf Alcohol) natural or synthetic?

. Extraction: Produced synthetically from 1,4-hexadiene. Natural isolation impractical..

GREENS, HERBS AND FOUGERES / green · leafy · fresh

Cis-3-Hexenol (Leaf Alcohol)

Category	GREENS, HERBS AND FOUGERES
Subcategory	green · leafy · fresh
Origin
Volatility	Top Note
Botanical	N/A — synthetic molecule (naturally occurs in green leaves)
Appearance	Colorless to pale yellow liquid with an intense fresh green leafy odor
Producing Countries	China, Germany, Japan
Pyramid	Top

Sharp, intensely green, freshly cut. Cis-3-hexenol (CAS 928-96-1) is the molecule of fresh-cut grass and crushed leaves. The defining green note.

Scent
The Full Story
Fun Fact
Extraction & Chemistry
In Perfumery
See Also

Scent

Intensely green, sharp, wet-vegetal. The exact smell of freshly cut grass. Raw, aqueous, alive. Powerful, volatile, unmistakable.

Evolution over time

Immediately

After a few hours

After a few days

The Full Story

Cis-3-hexenol (CAS 928-96-1, leaf alcohol) is the dominant volatile released when you cut grass, snap a stem, or crush a leaf. Produced enzymatically when plant tissue is damaged.

Intensely green, sharp, aqueous. Raw, freshly cut. Extremely volatile and potent, requiring careful dilution.

The primary building block for green notes. Can be used alone or combined with galbanum and violet leaf for complexity.

Did You Know?

Did you know?

Cis-3-hexenol is an alarm signal: released when plants are damaged, neighboring plants detect it and increase defense compound production. Your freshly mowed lawn is literally screaming for help.

Extraction & Chemistry

Extraction method: Produced synthetically from 1,4-hexadiene. Natural isolation impractical.

Molecular Formula	C6H12O
CAS Number	928-96-1
Botanical Name	N/A — synthetic molecule (naturally occurs in green leaves)
IFRA Status	No known restrictions
Synonyms	LEAF ALCOHOL · 3-HEXEN-1-OL
Physical Properties
Appearance	Colorless to pale yellow liquid with an intense fresh green leafy odor
Boiling Point	156.50 °C. @ 760.00 mm Hg
Flash Point	142.00 °F. TCC ( 61.11 °C. )
Specific Gravity	0.84600 to 0.85000 @ 25.00 °C.
Refractive Index	1.43600 to 1.45000 @ 20.00 °C.

In Perfumery

Top-note green building block. CAS 928-96-1. The primary fresh-cut-grass molecule. Extremely potent. Essential in green, chypre, and nature-realistic compositions. Used at careful dilution.