2-Phenylpropyl acetate

Chemical properties

Colorless liquid. Sp.Gr. 1.07. Almost insoluble in water, soluble in alcohol, miscible with oils. Fairly soluble in Propylene glycol. Fresh-floral, powerful and fruity-green, slightly earthy-green odor more delicate than Phenylethylacetate, not as rosy, more Hyacinth-Lilac-like. Irsspite of its power, or rather “lift”, its effect is almost a delicate one, enabling the perfumer to use 2-4-6% of this ester in floral bases where green or greenearthy or spicy notes are already composed or called for.

Occurrence

Has apparently not been reported to occur in nature.

Preparation

By direct esterification of hydratropyl alcohol with acetic acid under azeotropic conditions, or with acetic anhydride (Arctander, 1969).

Definition

ChEBI: 2-Phenylpropyl acetate is a member of benzenes.

Metabolism

Racemic hydratropic acetate was asymmetrically hydrolysed by Bacillus subtilis var. niger to form ( — )-2-phenylpropanol and ( + )-2-phenylpropyl acetate (Oritani & Yamashita, 1973).