Cis-3-Hexenyl Propionate

A Closer Look at the Odour Profile

Green comes first, strong, fresh, intensely vegetable. Then apple and pear underneath it, softer than the opening note but clearly fruity. At wider dilution, melon and peach come through, and there is a slight waxy-fatty quality that keeps the whole thing from reading as purely synthetic. The taste profile at 5 ppm is described as green, apple, and pear with an oily, waxy, slightly citrus note  which tells you exactly the kind of flavour work this material suits.

It is worth noting that while the acetate version of leaf alcohol is the family member that gets most of the attention, the propionate is often the better choice when a formulator needs the green note to sit slightly lower in a composition  less sharp at the very top, more integrated into the heart.

How It Is Made  and Why Cis Geometry Matters

The synthesis is azeotropic esterification of CIS-3-Hexenol with propionic acid. Straightforward chemistry, but the stereochemistry of the starting material is what actually determines whether the finished ester is useful or not. The double bond between the third and fourth carbon must sit in the cis configuration. The trans isomer, which can arise during processing if the reaction is not controlled properly, does not carry the same olfactory character; it is considerably flatter, less interesting, and of limited value in either fragrance or flavour formulation.

This is why cis purity in the starting alcohol matters as much as it does in the finished ester. A material that arrives at 92% cis is not a slightly lower-quality version of one at 98%  it is a meaningfully different ingredient. Every batch is GC-tested, and the cis content is verified before dispatch.

Where Formulators Put It to Work

In fragrance, the propionate is a workhorse of green topnote construction. Apple, kiwi, green tea, fresh fougère, and light floral compositions all use it. Unlike some green materials that fight for dominance in a blend, this one is cooperative; it opens a composition without taking it over, and it hands off to the heart notes cleanly. At higher usage levels, the vegetable-fatty character comes through more strongly, which makes it useful in tomato leaf and galbanum-type accords where that quality is exactly what is needed. Personal care applications, such as shampoos, body washes, and shower gels, are another consistent home. Consumers in these categories expect a fresh, garden-clean top note, and the propionate delivers that without the harshness that some other green materials carry into wash-off bases.

In flavour, FEMA 3933 and JECFA 1274 clearances cover its use across standard food-grade applications. Apple and strawberry are its strongest flavour categories; it reconstructs the fresh, green top note that processing so often strips out of fruit concentrates. Kiwi, melon, green tea, and banana profiles also benefit. The taste characteristic at 5 ppm is precise enough to be immediately identifiable, as the combination of green apple with waxy oiliness is hard to replicate with other materials, and is one reason this ester continues to appear in sophisticated fruit flavour work.

Stability and Handling  Practical Notes for Formulators

Like all CIS-3-Hexenyl esters, this material can be sensitive in strongly alkaline systems. If your intended application is a high-pH shampoo or a surface cleaner base, run stability testing early. In neutral and mildly acidic matrices, it performs well. Storage under an inert atmosphere at room temperature preserves the ester integrity. Exposure to air over time can lead to slow oxidation that dulls the top note character. Most manufacturers add a small amount of antioxidant to commercial grades for exactly this reason.

Sourcing from a Reliable CIS-3-Hexenyl Propionate Supplier and Exporter in India

We export regularly and handle the documentation requirements that international buyers need, CoA, SDS, and whatever compliance support your procurement team requires. Sample quantities are available before any commercial commitment. If CIS-3-Hexenyl Propionate is on your sourcing list, contact our team directly with your requirement, and we will respond without delay.