Database/Perfuming/Isobutyl Cinnamate
Route-dependent · ISO 16128

Is Isobutyl Cinnamate natural?

It depends. Cinnamic acid is available both as a natural isolate and as a Perkin-synthesis product, so the ester is route-dependent; the isobutyl alcohol half is petrochemical either way.

INCI nameIsobutyl Cinnamate
CAS122-67-8
FormulaC13H16O2 · 204.26 Da
FunctionPerfuming
FeedstockCinnamic acid (natural or synthetic) esterified with isobutanol.

Why the score varies

This ingredient is made commercially by more than one route, and ISO 16128 scores the feedstock actually used. Without a supplier certificate of origin the value cannot be claimed.

RouteFeedstockNOIShareNotes
natural cinnamic acidcinnamic acid from storax balsam or cinnamon-leaf cinnamaldehyde, esterified with petrochemical isobutanol0.64Cinnamoyl 131.2/204.3 = 0.64.
synthetic cinnamic acidPerkin condensation of petrochemical benzaldehyde and acetic anhydride, esterified with isobutanol0.00No natural carbon.
Ask your supplier. A batch-specific certificate of origin or bio-based carbon test (ASTM D6866) settles which route applies.

How we scored it

Ester C13H16O2 204.3 Da. Cinnamoyl C9H7O 131.2 Da is natural only when the cinnamic acid is balsam- or cinnamon-derived; the isobutoxy fragment C4H9O 73.1 Da is petrochemical (oxo isobutanol) in every route → natural-cinnamate route 131.2/204.3 = 0.64, Perkin route 0.00. Same method as Methyl Cinnamate.
What counts. ISO 16128-2 scores the atoms that remain in the final ingredient. Reagents, solvents, catalysts and protecting groups used during manufacture leave no mass behind and are not counted.

Where it comes from

Cinnamic acid (natural or synthetic) esterified with isobutanol.

In plain English

A fragrance ingredient with a fruity, balsamic scent, made by combining cinnamic acid with a synthetic alcohol. Most commercial supply is made in a lab rather than isolated from plants.

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Structure

2D structure of Isobutyl Cinnamate

2-methylpropyl (E)-3-phenylprop-2-enoate

PubChem CID 778574 ↗

References

  1. 1ISO 16128-1:2016 and ISO 16128-2:2017 — Guidelines on technical definitions and criteria for natural and organic cosmetic ingredients and products. ISO, Geneva.
  2. 2Isobutyl Cinnamate. PubChem CID 778574. National Center for Biotechnology Information. pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ↗
  3. 3ISOBUTYL CINNAMATE. CosIng — European Commission cosmetic ingredient database. ec.europa.eu/cosing ↗
  4. 4ISOBUTYL CINNAMATE. CosIng u2014 European Commission database for information on cosmetic substances and ingredients. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/search?search=ISOBUTYL%20CINNAMATE