Database/Perfuming/Phenethyl Propionate
Route-dependent · ISO 16128

Is Phenethyl Propionate natural?

It depends. Phenethyl alcohol is route-dependent; propionic acid is petrochemical, as for the site's other propionates.

INCI namePhenethyl Propionate
CAS122-70-3
FormulaC11H14O2 · 178.23 Da
FunctionPerfuming
FeedstockPhenethyl alcohol (natural or synthetic) esterified with petrochemical…

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 phenethylphenethyl of natural origin + propionic acid from petrochemical synthesis0.68Phenethyl fragment C8H9O 121.2/178.2 = 0.68.
syntheticphenethyl and propionic acid both from petrochemical synthesis0.00No 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

Phenethyl Propionate C11H14O2 178.2 Da: the phenethyl fragment C8H9O 121.2 Da is natural only from a natural source; the propionic acid fragment 57.1 Da is petrochemical in every commercial route. Routes: natural phenethyl 0.68, synthetic 0.00. Headline shows the best route.
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

Phenethyl alcohol (natural or synthetic) esterified with petrochemical propionic acid.

In plain English

A synthetic fragrance ingredient with a fruity, floral scent, used in small amounts to perfume cosmetic products.

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Structure

2D structure of Phenethyl Propionate

2-phenylethyl propanoate

PubChem CID 31225 ↗

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. 2Phenethyl Propionate. PubChem CID 31225. National Center for Biotechnology Information. pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ↗
  3. 3PHENETHYL PROPIONATE. CosIng — European Commission cosmetic ingredient database. ec.europa.eu/cosing ↗
  4. 4PHENETHYL PROPIONATE. CosIng u2014 European Commission database for information on cosmetic substances and ingredients. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/search?search=PHENETHYL%20PROPIONATE