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Phenyl Propanol

Q: Is Phenyl Propanol natural or synthetic?

. Extraction: Produced synthetically by hydrogenation of cinnamaldehyde or hydrocinnamaldehyde. Simple, inexpensive synthesis..

FLOWERS / floral · sweet · balsamic

Phenyl Propanol

Category	FLOWERS
Subcategory	floral · sweet · balsamic
Origin
Volatility	Base Note
Botanical	N/A — synthetic compound (also found naturally in some essential oils)
Appearance	Colorless clear oily liquid
Producing Countries	China, Germany, India
Pyramid	Base

Mild, balsamic-floral with a soft, slightly sweet quality. Phenyl propanol is a quiet molecule — warm, clean, with a gentle hyacinth-like sweetness.

Scent
The Full Story
Fun Fact
Extraction & Chemistry
In Perfumery

Scent

Mild, warm, balsamic-floral. Gentle hyacinth-like quality. Less sharp than cinnamyl alcohol, softer than phenylethyl alcohol, cleaner than benzyl alcohol. A quiet, unassertive warmth.

Evolution over time

Immediately

Mild warm-balsamic opening. Subtle floral quality.

After a few hours

Gentle, stable warmth. Quiet character.

After a few days

Slow, clean fade. Low impact.

The Full Story

CAS 122-97-4 (3-phenyl-1-propanol). A primary alcohol with a mild, balsamic, slightly floral character. The scent is gentle — warm, slightly sweet, with a hyacinth-like quality and a clean, balsamic undertone.

Phenyl propanol is less impactful than most perfumery materials — it functions as a modifier and blender rather than a character note. Its mild, inoffensive character makes it useful as a gentle warm-floral additive.

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

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Did You Know?

Did you know?

Phenyl propanol is part of the phenylalkyl alcohol series (PEA, phenyl propanol, etc.) — each additional carbon in the side chain subtly changes the scent from floral-rosy (2-carbon, PEA) to balsamic-warm (3-carbon) to increasingly faint (longer chains). The series demonstrates how carbon chain length affects olfactory character.

Extraction & Chemistry

Extraction method: Produced synthetically by hydrogenation of cinnamaldehyde or hydrocinnamaldehyde. Simple, inexpensive synthesis.

Molecular Formula	C9H12O
CAS Number	122-97-4
Botanical Name	N/A — synthetic compound (also found naturally in some essential oils)
IFRA Status	No known restrictions
Synonyms	2-PHENYLPROPAN-1-OL · BENZYLCARBINOL
Physical Properties
Lasting Power	152 hour(s) at 100.00 %
Appearance	Colorless clear oily liquid
Boiling Point	235.00 to 236.00 °C. @ 760.00 mm Hg
Flash Point	229.00 °F. TCC ( 109.44 °C. )
Specific Gravity	0.99800 to 1.00000 @ 25.00 °C.
Refractive Index	1.52400 to 1.52800 @ 20.00 °C.
Melting Point	-18.00 to -17.00 °C. @ 760.00 mm Hg

In Perfumery

Background modifier in balsamic-floral compositions. Phenyl propanol provides gentle, non-specific warmth. Used at moderate concentrations as a blender and mild fixative. Not a featured note — a supporting player.