Vanilla amplified, cleaned, and extended. Ultravanil is a synthetic vanillin derivative designed to be more powerful and more persistent than natural vanilla — ultra-sweet, ultra-clean.
Sweet, clean, vanilla-forward with enhanced persistence. More linear than natural vanilla (which has smoky, woody, balsamic undertones). Cleaner than ethyl vanillin, less one-dimensional than pure vanillin. Designed to be the vanilla that stays — persistent, sweet, unwavering.
Evolution over time
Immediately
Immediately
Clean sweet vanilla, intense, creamy
After a few hours
After a few hours
Persistent vanilla warmth, less sharp, more rounded
After a few days
After a few days
Enduring sweet vanilla base, clean, unwavering
The Full Story
Ultravanil is a proprietary synthetic vanilla-type molecule designed to provide enhanced vanilla character with greater intensity and longevity than standard vanillin. It belongs to the family of vanilla replacers and enhancers that includes vanillin, ethyl vanillin (3x stronger than vanillin), and various vanillin derivatives.
The vanilla family in perfumery is built on a small number of key molecules: vanillin (4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde, CAS 121-33-5 — the primary odorant of vanilla bean), ethyl vanillin (3-ethoxy-4-hydroxybenzaldehyde — synthetic, approximately 3 times stronger), and coumarin (which adds hay-like sweetness to vanilla accords).
Natural vanilla extract (from Vanilla planifolia pods) contains over 200 compounds beyond vanillin, including p-hydroxybenzaldehyde, vanillic acid, and various phenols that create its full-bodied richness. Synthetics like Ultravanil aim to capture specific aspects of this complexity — typically the sweet, creamy, persistent core — while offering cost and consistency advantages.
In formulation, enhanced vanillin derivatives function as gourmand base notes with excellent fixative properties.
Only about 1% of the world's vanillin comes from actual vanilla beans — the rest is synthesized from guaiacol (petroleum-derived) or lignin (a byproduct of paper manufacturing). A kilogram of synthetic vanillin costs approximately $15, while natural vanilla extract equivalent costs $1,000-4,000.
Extraction & Chemistry
Extraction method: Fully synthetic — produced by chemical modification of vanillin or guaiacol-derived precursors. No natural source. Standard vanillin is produced synthetically from guaiacol (petrochemical route) or lignin (paper industry byproduct). Natural vanillin from Vanilla planifolia is approximately 1% of global vanillin production.
Molecular Formula
C₁₁H₁₄O₄
CAS Number
68527-74-2
Botanical Name
N/A — synthetic vanillin derivative
IFRA Status
No known restrictions
Synonyms
ULTRAVANIL
Physical Properties
Odor Strength
Medium
Lasting Power
400 hours at 100.00%
Appearance
Yellow to amber liquid
Boiling Point
154°C @ 1 mm Hg
In Perfumery
Ultravanil is a synthetic vanilla enhancer functioning as a sweet, persistent base note. Part of the vanillin derivative family (vanillin, ethyl vanillin, coumarin). Used in gourmand, amber, and sweet compositions where vanilla persistence is required. Enhanced vanillin derivatives offer greater longevity and intensity than standard vanillin at lower dosages. Used alongside natural vanilla absolute or CO2 extract for added persistence.
