Benzyl cinnamate
2-Propenoic acid, 3-phenyl-, phenylmethyl ester
Benzyl cinnamate is listed in Annex III and may only be used under the conditions shown in this record.
This substance is on the EU list of fragrance allergens that must be named individually in the ingredient list, rather than being covered by the word "parfum", once it exceeds 0.001% in a leave-on product or 0.01% in a rinse-off product.
Declaration is a labelling duty under Article 19, not a restriction on use. See the allergen record
Chemical identity and properties
Benzyl Cinnamate
Benzyl cinnamate is the cinnamate ester derived from cinnamic acid and benzyl alcohol. Occuring in Balsam of Peru and Tolu balsam, in Sumatra and Penang benzoin, and as the main constituent of copaiba balsam, it is used in heavy oriental perfumes, as a fixative and as a flavouring agent. It has a role as a flavouring agent, a fragrance, a fixative, an epitope and an antigen. — ChEBI
- IUPAC name
- benzyl (E)-3-phenylprop-2-enoate
- Molecular formula
- C16H14O2
- Molecular weight
- 238.28 g/mol
- Exact mass
- 238.099379685 Da
- XLogP3
- 3.8
- Topological polar surface area
- 26.3 Ų
- Hydrogen-bond donors
- 0
- Hydrogen-bond acceptors
- 2
- Covalent units
- 1
- Defined stereocentres
- 0
Also known as
16 more reported names
External database identifiers
- ChEBI:CHEBI:146174
- ChEMBL:CHEMBL361197
- EPA DTXSID:DTXSID00880905
- PubMed:29540657
- PubMed:27965148
- PubMed:27270453
- PubMed:22023385
- PubMed:20491607
- PubMed:15464616
Evidence from additional scientific databases
NIH PubChem PUG-View
Attributed physical-property, hazard, environmental and use annotations.
- Boiling Point: 228-230 °C @ 22 mm Hg Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Boiling Point: 350 °C; 195 °C (5 mm Hg) Source: Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA)
- Color/Form: WHITE TO PALE-YELLOW, FUSED, CRYSTALLINE SOLID Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Color/Form: Crystals from 95% ethanol Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Color/Form: White crystals Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Density: 1.109 AT 15 °C Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Density: PRISMS; SADTLER REFERENCE NUMBER: 1520 (IR, PRISM); 430 (UV); 104 (NMR); DENSITY: 1.109 @ 15 °C /TRANS/ Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Flash Point: GREATER THAN 100 °C Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Melting Point: 39 °C Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Melting Point: MELTING POINT: 35-36 °C /TRANS/; 30 °C /CIS/ Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Odor: Sweet odor of balsam Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Physical Description: Solid with a sweet odor of balsam; Practically insoluble in water; mp = 39 deg C; [Merck Index] Source: Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases
- Physical Description: White to pale yellow solid Source: Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA)
- Solubility: 1:8 IN 90% ALCOHOL Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Solubility: Practically insol in water, propylene glycol and glycerin. Sol in alcohol, ether, oils. Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Solubility: insoluble in water; soluble in oils Source: Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA)
- Solubility: very soluble (in ethanol) Source: Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA)
- Vapor Pressure: 1 mm Hg @ 173.8 °C Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Carcinogen Classification: No indication of carcinogenicity to humans (not listed by IARC). Source: Toxin and Toxin Target Database (T3DB)
- Signal: Warning Source: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
- GHS Hazard Statements: H317 (99.8%): May cause an allergic skin reaction [Warning Sensitization, Skin]; H411 (99.5%): Toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects [Hazardous to the aquatic environment, long-term hazard] Source: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
- Precautionary Statement Codes: P261, P272, P273, P280, P302+P352, P321, P333+P317, P362+P364, P391, and P501 (click each P-code to see the statement) Source: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
- ECHA C&L Notifications Summary: Aggregated GHS information provided per 1794 reports by companies from 13 notifications to the ECHA C&L Inventory. Each notification may be associated with multiple companies.; Information may vary between notifications depending on impurities, additives, and other factors. The percentage value in parenthesis indicates the notified classification ratio from companies that provide hazard codes. Only hazard codes with percentage values above 10% are shown. For more detailed information, please visit ECHA C&L website. Source: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
- Environmental Bioconcentration: An estimated BCF of 270 was calculated for benzyl cinnamate(SRC), using an estimated log Kow of 4.1(1) and a regression-derived equation(2). According to a classification scheme(3), this BCF suggests the potential for bioconcentration in aquatic organisms is high(SRC). Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Environmental Fate: TERRESTRIAL FATE: Based on a classification scheme(1), an estimated Koc value of 10,400(SRC), determined from a structure estimation method(2), indicates that benzyl cinnamate is expected to be immobile in soil(SRC). Volatilization of benzyl cinnamate from moist soil surfaces is not expected to be an important fate process(SRC) given an estimated Henry's Law constant of 3.3X10-7 atm-cu m/mole(SRC), using a fragment constant estimation method(3). Benzyl cinnamate is not expected to volatilize from dry soil surfaces(SRC) based upon an estimated vapor pressure of 1X10-5 mm Hg(4). Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Environmental Fate: AQUATIC FATE: Based on a classification scheme(1), an estimated Koc value of 10,390(SRC), determined from a structure estimation method(2), indicates that benzyl cinnamate is expected to adsorb to suspended solids and sediment(SRC). Volatilization from water surfaces is not expected(3) based upon an estimated Henry's Law constant of 3.3X10-7 atm-cu m/mole(SRC), developed using a fragment constant estimation method(4). A base-catalyzed second-order hydrolysis rate constant of 3.8X10-2 L/mole-sec(SRC) was estimated using a structure estimation method(5); this corresponds to half-lives of 6 years and 211 days at pH values of 7 and 8, respectively(5). According to a classification scheme(6), an estimated BCF of 269(SRC), from an estimated log Kow of 4.06(7) and a regression derived equation(8), suggests the potential for bioconcentration in aquatic organisms is high(SRC). Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Environmental Fate: ATMOSPHERIC FATE: According to a model of gas/particle partitioning of semivolatile organic compounds in the atmosphere(1), benzyl cinnamate, which has an estimated vapor pressure of 1X10-5 mm Hg at 25 °C(2), will exist in both the vapor and particulate phases in the ambient atmosphere. Vapor-phase benzyl cinnamate is degraded in the atmosphere by reaction with photochemically-produced hydroxyl radicals(SRC); the half-life for this reaction in air is estimated to be 14 hours for the cis-isomer and 13 hours for the trans-isomer of benzyl cinnamate(SRC), calculated from their rate constants of 28X10-12 and 31X10-12 cu cm/molecule-sec at 25 °C, respectively(SRC), determined using a structure estimation method(3). Particulate-phase benzyl cinnamate may be removed from the air by wet and dry deposition(SRC). Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Sources/Uses: Constituent of storax, Peru, and Tolu balsams; [Merck Index] Used in flavors and perfumes; [HSDB] Source: Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases
- Uses: In artificial flavors, in perfumes, mainly as a fixative Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
- Uses: Fixative in perfumes and as a component of heavy, oriental perfumes. Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
Mapped by: Existing checksum-valid CAS to unique PubChem CID match. Retrieved: 2026-08-31. Open source record
Scientific classifications and hazard annotations provide context and do not replace the market-specific regulatory decision shown above.
Additional source coverage and match status
| Source | Result | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| EMBL-EBI ChEBI | No exact record | 2026-08-31 |
| NIH PubChem PUG-View | Exact match | 2026-08-31 |
A recorded no-match is useful evidence that the source was checked; it is not a claim that the substance does not exist elsewhere.
Retrieved from NIH PubChem on 2026-09-02 by checksum-valid CAS matching. Chemical properties do not replace the regulatory decision on this page.
Record details
Other restrictions
The presence of the substance must be indicated in the list of ingredients referred to in Article 19(1)g when its concentration exceeds:
- 0.001% in leave-on products
- 0.01% in rinse-off products
INCI glossary name
Benzyl cinnamate
Chemical name
2-Propenoic acid, 3-phenyl-, phenylmethyl ester
Regulatory information
SCCS opinions
- Opinion concerning Essential Oils
- Opinion concerning Fragrance Allergy in Consumers - A Review of the Problem - Analysis of the need for appropriate Consumer Information and Identification of Consumer Allergens
- Opinion concerning the Interim Position on Fragrance Allergy
- Memorandum on the SCCNFP Opinion concerning Fragrance Allergy
Identified ingredients
EU Fragrance Allergen
This substance is linked to an EU fragrance-allergen reference. Check the current Annex III entry for the declaration threshold and any additional conditions.
Key data
Inventory links for Benzyl cinnamate
Related records for Benzyl cinnamate
Direct matches are limited for this record, so nearby entries from Annex III are shown as well.
Citronellol
Limonene
What Annex III means for Benzyl cinnamate
Benzyl cinnamate is a restricted substance under Annex III of EU Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009. Its use in cosmetics is only permitted under the specific conditions set out in the entry above, including applicable concentration limits, product type restrictions and required warning statements.
When including this substance in a formulation, all conditions — maximum concentration, product scope and warning labels — must be met simultaneously. Compliance with one condition does not override the others.
This record is linked to 1 CosIng inventory ingredient for name and identifier cross-reference. The page also surfaces 12 related annex records with overlapping identifiers, annex logic or naming patterns.
Compliance checklist
- Document conditions of use in the Product Information File (PIF).
- This substance is a regulated fragrance allergen. Declare it on the label by INCI name above 0.001% in leave-on or 0.01% in rinse-off products.
Frequently asked questions
Source note for Annex III record Benzyl cinnamate
This page summarizes one Annex III record for Benzyl cinnamate from public European Commission cosmetic materials and adds linked inventory or identifier matches when available.
Use this record page to review Annex III conditions for Benzyl cinnamate, but confirm any final regulatory decision against the current official annex wording and source files.
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