It is a crystalline solid (mp 65–68°C)
with a heavy, rosy, balsamic odor. It is used as a fixative in blossom fragrances.
Phenethyl cinnamate has a sweet, balsamic odor, reminiscent of rose. At low levels, it has a sweet, plum-like taste.
Phenethyl cinnamate is used quite frequently in perfume compositions in spite of its poor volubility, which is hardly a problem at concentrations below 5%. As a background note and
part of a fixative base, this material finds its
way into Muguet, Rose, Lilac, Sweet Pea,
Gardenia, Magnolia, Peony, Hyacinth and
many types of Oriental fragrance. n flavors, traces are used for fixation of
fruity-jam-like notes, e. g. in Plum, Prune,
Cherry and various fruit complexes.
The concentration will be about 0.1 to 3 ppm
in the finished product.
ChEBI: 2-Phenylethyl 3-phenyl-2-propenoate is a cinnamate ester.
From phenylethyl alcohol and methylcinnamate by alcohol interchange esterification.
Flammability and Explosibility
Non flammable
Mildly toxic by ingestion. A skinirritant. When heated to decompositionit emits acrid smoke and irritating fumes.
