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Heliotropin (Piperonal)

Q: Is Heliotropin (Piperonal) natural or synthetic?

. Extraction: Produced synthetically from safrole or catechol derivatives. Also found in heliotrope, vanilla, and dill..

FLOWERS / floral · powdery · sweet

Category	FLOWERS
Subcategory	floral · powdery · sweet
Origin
Volatility	Heart Note
Botanical	N/A — synthetic molecule (also found naturally in Vanilla, Heliotropium)
Appearance	White crystalline powder
Odor Strength	Medium
Producing Countries	N/A — synthetic, manufactured globally
Pyramid	Heart

Sweet, warm, almond-vanilla-cherry. Heliotropin (piperonal, CAS 120-57-0) provides the characteristic scent of heliotrope flowers: powdery, marzipan-like warmth.

Scent
The Full Story
Fun Fact
Extraction & Chemistry
In Perfumery

Scent

Sweet, warm, powdery, almond-cherry-vanilla. The classic heliotrope scent: marzipan, almond milk, cherry blossoms. A warm, enveloping sweetness greater than its parts.

Evolution over time

Immediately

Sweet almond-cherry warmth

After a few hours

Marzipan-vanilla depth

After a few days

Persistent powdery-sweet warmth

The Full Story

Heliotropin (piperonal, CAS 120-57-0) is a benzodioxole aldehyde. Combines benzaldehyde-like almond with vanillin-like sweetness and cherry undertone.

Foundation of powdery-sweet family in perfumery. Related to helional structurally but completely different scent.

Essential in powder accords, almond-cherry compositions, and as a sweetening agent for florals.

Explore all seven extraits in the Discovery Set.

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Did You Know?

Did you know?

Piperonal was historically synthesized from safrole (from sassafras), which is also a precursor to MDMA. This shared chemistry led to regulatory restrictions on safrole imports, forcing development of alternative synthesis routes.

Extraction & Chemistry

Extraction method: Produced synthetically from safrole or catechol derivatives. Also found in heliotrope, vanilla, and dill.

Molecular Formula	C8H6O3
CAS Number	120-57-0
Botanical Name	N/A — synthetic molecule (also found naturally in Vanilla, Heliotropium)
IFRA Status	No known restrictions
Synonyms	Piperonal, 3,4-Methylenedioxybenzaldehyde, Heliotropin
Physical Properties
Odor Strength	Medium
Lasting Power	212 hours at 100%
Appearance	White crystalline powder
Boiling Point	263.00 to 265.00 °C. @ 760.00 mm Hg
Flash Point	> 230.00 °F. TCC ( > 110.00 °C. )
Melting Point	37.00 to 39.00 °C. @ 760.00 mm Hg

In Perfumery

Heart-to-base modifier for powdery-sweet compositions. CAS 120-57-0. The heliotrope molecule. Essential in powder accords, baby-powder formulas, and gourmand compositions.