In short
cis-3-Hexenyl salicylate is a salicylate ester that combines a green leaf note with a balsamic floral one. It is a fresh, long-lasting green-floral blender.
What cis-3-Hexenyl Salicylate smells like
Cis-3-hexenyl salicylate is a fresh, green-floral salicylate with a balsamic base. Suppliers describe it as fresh, sweet-floral and green-balsamic; Bedoukian names a lily-of-the-valley green note. One description follows it from grassy, leafy freshness into smooth floral notes recalling lily of the valley and orchid over a warm, balsamic base. Distributors report it as long-lasting on a blotter. Its strength is judged differently: one supplier calls it mild-smelling but an excellent blender.
- Leading note
- Green floral
- Clear facets
- Lily of the valley
- Supporting facets
- Balsamic, leafy, grassy
- Character
- Fresh, soft, green, tenacious
What makes cis-3-Hexenyl Salicylate distinctive
It is the salicylate with a leaf in it. Hexyl and amyl salicylates read herbal-floral or clover-like; the cis-3-hexenyl ester brings a distinct fresh-leaf greenness to the soft salicylate body, with a lily-of-the-valley floral tone.
Where the descriptions disagree: Most sources call it green-floral with good presence; one supplier calls it mild-smelling, valued mainly as a blender.
How cis-3-Hexenyl Salicylate is used
Used as a green-floral blender in muguet, fresh floral and green compositions, and for its tenacity as a long-lasting fresh note.
Typical role: blender (smooths the joins between other materials).
How cis-3-Hexenyl Salicylate differs from similar materials
- cis-3-Hexenyl Benzoate
- The benzoate is milder, herbaceous and woody; the salicylate is fresher and more floral, with lily of the valley.
- Hexyl Salicylate
- Hexyl salicylate is fainter and more bark-like, with azalea; the cis-3-hexenyl ester has a fresh-leaf greenness and lily of the valley.
Each difference compares the published descriptions of the two materials. Smell varies with grade, supplier and dilution; compare them side by side on blotters before substituting one for another.
Formulation considerations
Stable and easy to use.
Identity and classification
- Type
- Aroma chemical
- Origin
- Occurs in nature
- Odour family
- Green / Floral
- Note position
- Heart to base note
- Physical form at room temperature
- Liquid
- CAS number
- 65405-77-8
- Molecular formula
- C13H16O3
- Molecular weight
- 220.26 g/mol
- IUPAC name
- [(E)-hex-3-enyl] 2-hydroxybenzoate
The CAS number, formula and molecular weight are taken from PubChem compound 6021887, 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 (1,857 reports): H410 very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects (80.8% of reports); H317 may cause an allergic skin reaction (78.7% of reports); H400 very toxic to aquatic life (20.9% of reports). 4 of the reports find it does not meet the hazard criteria. A skin sensitiser classification concerns handling the neat material and the dose in a finished product; the IFRA Standards, where they apply, set the limits. 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
-
Hexyl Salicylate
Aroma chemical · Floral / Green — green, floral, herbal
-
cis-3-Hexenol
Aroma chemical · Green / Fruity — green, cut grass, leafy, fresh
-
Hydroxycitronellal
Aroma chemical · Floral / Green — muguet, floral, soft, sweet
cis-3-Hexenyl Salicylate is also suggested as a partner on the pages for cis-3-Hexenyl Benzoate and cis-3-Hexenyl Tiglate.
Used in formulas and accords
Used in 16 published formulas
cis-3-Hexenyl Salicylate is an ingredient in 11 perfume formulas and 5 accords in the Formula & Accord Library.
Community formulas
RUŌOD House Originals
Original compositions by RUŌOD House.
Further reading
Questions about cis-3-Hexenyl Salicylate
Is cis-3-Hexenyl Salicylate natural or synthetic?
The molecule occurs in nature. Commercial cis-3-Hexenyl Salicylate 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 Salicylate?
65405-77-8. It was checked against PubChem on 19 October 2026.
Which published formulas use cis-3-Hexenyl Salicylate?
cis-3-Hexenyl Salicylate is used in 16 published formulas in the RUŌOD Lab Formula & Accord Library, including Bracken Moon, Cut Stem Atelier and Green Fig Shade. Each is listed with a link under "Used in formulas and accords" on this page.
Sources
- PubChem — compound 6021887, checked 19 October 2026.
- PubChem — GHS classification (the ECHA C&L Inventory notifications and any harmonised EU entry), read 26 October 2026.
- The Good Scents Company — cis-3-hexenyl salicylate (with Bedoukian's description) — odour database.
- De Hekserij — cis-3-Hexenyl Salicylate — distributor's description.
- Parchem — cis-3-Hexenyl Salicylate — distributor's description.
- Olfactory profile: the RUŌOD Lab team's synthesis of the published descriptions above, reviewed 20 October 2026. Evidence: more than one published description. Classification and the short description: revision 1. Descriptions of odour are judgement, not measurement.