In short
cis-3-Hexenyl acetate is the acetate ester of leaf alcohol. It gives a fresh, fruity-green note like unripe banana and green apple.
What cis-3-Hexenyl Acetate smells like
Cis-3-hexenyl acetate keeps the fresh green of leaf alcohol but turns it fruity. Bedoukian describes a sharp, fruity-green odour that is sweet and banana-like, with a pear character in flavour. Other descriptions add apple and melon; perfumers often describe it as green, yet distinctly sweeter and fruitier than cis-3-hexenol. It is a short-lived burst — one distributor notes it lasts under an hour on a blotter.
- Leading note
- Sharp, fruity green
- Clear facets
- Unripe banana
- Supporting facets
- Pear
- Faint facets
- Apple, melon
- Character
- Green, sharp, sweet, fresh
What makes cis-3-Hexenyl Acetate distinctive
It is the fruity end of the leaf-green family: still clearly green, but with an unripe banana and pear sweetness that cis-3-hexenol lacks and a lighter, simpler character than the heavier hexenyl esters.
How cis-3-Hexenyl Acetate is used
A green-fruity top note for fruity, floral and fresh compositions, and very widely used in flavours, especially pear, banana and tropical fruits. Its brevity means it shapes the opening only.
Typical role: modifier (used in small amounts to change the character of a blend); lift (adds diffusion and radiance, especially at the top).
How cis-3-Hexenyl Acetate differs from similar materials
- cis-3-Hexenol
- Cis-3-hexenol is the plain cut-grass note; the acetate is sweeter and fruitier, with banana and pear.
- cis-3-Hexenyl Butyrate
- The butyrate is heavier, buttery and wine- or brandy-like; the acetate is lighter, sharper and more banana-pear.
- cis-3-Hexenyl Tiglate
- A supplier contrasts the two: simple esters like the acetate give straightforward fresh green, while the tiglate adds warmth, earthiness and complexity. (compared directly by a cited source)
- cis-3-Hexenyl Benzoate
- Arctander describes the benzoate as much weaker than the esters of the lower acids, and mild but tenacious; the acetate is sharp, fruity and fleeting. (compared directly by a cited source)
- Hexyl Acetate
- Hexyl acetate is softer pear and apple; cis-3-hexenyl acetate is sharper and greener, with unripe banana.
An asterisk marks a difference that a cited source states directly. The others compare the published descriptions of each material. Smell varies with grade, supplier and dilution; compare them side by side on blotters before substituting one for another.
Formulation considerations
Volatile; dose from dilution.
Identity and classification
- Type
- Aroma chemical
- Origin
- Occurs in nature
- Odour family
- Green / Fruity
- Note position
- Top note
- Physical form at room temperature
- Liquid
- CAS number
- 3681-71-8
- Molecular formula
- C8H14O2
- Molecular weight
- 142.2 g/mol
- IUPAC name
- [(Z)-hex-3-enyl] acetate
The CAS number, formula and molecular weight are taken from PubChem compound 5363388, whose own record lists this CAS number; checked 19 October 2026.
Safety and compliance
Hazard classification of the neat substance, as PubChem summarises it, read 26 October 2026. Companies notifying the ECHA C&L Inventory classify it (1,882 reports): H226 flammable liquid and vapor (99.4% of reports). 11 of the reports find it does not meet the hazard criteria. Unless it is harmonised, this is the notifiers' own classification, not a binding one.
This page is general information, not a safety assessment or a specification. Confirm identity, composition, IFRA status and allergen content from your supplier's documents for the lot you hold.
Materials it works with
-
cis-3-Hexenol
Aroma chemical · Green / Fruity — green, cut grass, leafy, fresh
-
Styrallyl Acetate
Aroma chemical · Green / Fruity — green, gardenia, fruity, rhubarb
-
Manzanate
Aroma chemical · Fruity / Green — apple, fruity, fresh
cis-3-Hexenyl Acetate is also suggested as a partner on the pages for cis-3-Hexenyl Butyrate, Hexyl Butyrate, Leaf Acetal, Liffarome, Prenyl Acetate and trans-2-Hexenal.
Used in formulas and accords
Used in 15 published formulas
cis-3-Hexenyl Acetate is an ingredient in 9 perfume formulas, 5 accords and 1 base in the Formula & Accord Library.
Community formulas
RUŌOD House Originals
Original compositions by RUŌOD House.
Further reading
Questions about cis-3-Hexenyl Acetate
Is cis-3-Hexenyl Acetate natural or synthetic?
The molecule occurs in nature. Commercial cis-3-Hexenyl Acetate may be made by synthesis or obtained from natural sources, so check the supplier's specification if the distinction matters to you.
What is the CAS number of cis-3-Hexenyl Acetate?
3681-71-8. It was checked against PubChem on 19 October 2026.
Which published formulas use cis-3-Hexenyl Acetate?
cis-3-Hexenyl Acetate is used in 15 published formulas in the RUŌOD Lab Formula & Accord Library, including Asphalt Peony, Banana Bread and Bell Glass. Each is listed with a link under "Used in formulas and accords" on this page.
Sources
- PubChem — compound 5363388, checked 19 October 2026.
- PubChem — GHS classification (the ECHA C&L Inventory notifications and any harmonised EU entry), read 26 October 2026.
- Bedoukian Research — cis-3-hexenyl acetate, via UL Prospector — manufacturer's description.
- The Good Scents Company — cis-3-hexenyl acetate — odour database.
- Scent.vn — cis-3-hexenyl acetate — distributor's description.
- Olfactory profile: the RUŌOD Lab team's synthesis of the published descriptions above, reviewed 20 October 2026. Evidence: several independent published descriptions, which agree. Classification and the short description: revision 1. Descriptions of odour are judgement, not measurement.