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Cis-3-Hexenyl Acetate (Leaf Acetate)

Q: Is Cis-3-Hexenyl Acetate (Leaf Acetate) natural or synthetic?

. Extraction: Found naturally in fruits and leaves. Also synthesized by acetylation of cis-3-hexenol..

GREENS, HERBS AND FOUGERES / green · fruity · fresh

Category	GREENS, HERBS AND FOUGERES
Subcategory	green · fruity · fresh
Origin
Volatility	Top Note
Botanical	N/A - synthetic molecule
Appearance	colorless clear liquid
Producing Countries	N/A — synthesized (manufactured globally)
Pyramid	Top

Green, fresh, slightly fruity. Leaf acetate (CAS 3681-71-8) is the ester of cis-3-hexenol: softer, fruitier, less harsh green than the raw alcohol.

Scent
The Full Story
Fun Fact
Extraction & Chemistry
In Perfumery

Scent

Green, slightly fruity-sweet. Softer than cis-3-hexenol. A green banana peel quality. The polite version of leaf alcohol.

Evolution over time

Immediately

Soft green-fruity freshness

After a few hours

Green with sweet-ester edge

After a few days

Faint green-sweet trace, moderate volatility

The Full Story

Cis-3-hexenyl acetate (CAS 3681-71-8, leaf acetate) is the acetic acid ester of cis-3-hexenol. Found in bananas, apples, green leaves. Softer, sweeter, more fruity than the raw alcohol.

Smooths the sharp, aggressive green into something more pleasant: still green but with a fruity-sweet edge. Like the transition between unripe and ripe fruit.

More pleasant at higher concentrations than cis-3-hexenol.

This note in Première Peau. Simili Mirage · Gravitas Capitale. Sample all seven extraits in the Discovery Set.

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Related: Acronychia Pedunculata · Adoxal · Agave · Algae · Aloe Vera · Aromatic Notes · Asparagus · Avocado

Did You Know?

Did you know?

Leaf acetate is key to unripe banana smell. As bananas ripen, the ester composition shifts from green C6 esters to sweet esters. The green-to-yellow transition is an ester transition.

Extraction & Chemistry

Extraction method: Found naturally in fruits and leaves. Also synthesized by acetylation of cis-3-hexenol.

Molecular Formula	C8H14O2
CAS Number	3681-71-8
Botanical Name	N/A - synthetic molecule
IFRA Status	No known restrictions
Synonyms	Cis-3-Hexenyl Acetate, Leaf Acetate
Physical Properties
Appearance	colorless clear liquid
Boiling Point	75.00 to 76.00 °C. @ 23.00 mm Hg
Flash Point	135.00 °F. TCC ( 57.00 °C. )
Specific Gravity	0.89600 to 0.90400 @ 25.00 °C.
Refractive Index	1.42300 to 1.42800 @ 20.00 °C.

In Perfumery

Top-to-heart green modifier. CAS 3681-71-8. Softer and fruitier than cis-3-hexenol. Found in bananas, apples, green leaves. Suited to green, fruity-green, and garden compositions.