Chemical Properties
Citronellyl phenylacetate is a colorless, somewhat viscous liquid.
B.P. 342℃. Sp.Gr. 0.99. Insoluble in water, soluble in alcohol and
perfume oils. Citronellyl phenylacetate has a sweet herbaceous, rose-like, yet heavy and very tenacious odor, reminiscent of rose
petals.
Uses
Citronellyl phenylacetate is used in flavor compositions for a variety of
purposes: imitation Butter, Caramel, “Fruit,
Honey, Rose, etc. and in Tobacco flavoring.
Concentration in the finished product is
usually mere traces (a few ppm).
Preparation
From Citronellol and Phenylacetyl
chloride - or: by direct esterification of
Citronellol with Phenylacetic acid using a
catalyst under azeotropic conditions.
Safety Profile
A skin irritant. When
heated to decomposition it emits acrid
smoke and irritating fumes.