In short
Fenchyl acetate is the acetate ester of fenchol with a fresh, piney-herbal odour. It is sweeter and softer than fenchol and has a citrus touch.
What Fenchyl Acetate smells like
Fenchyl acetate is described by one supplier as having a characteristic camphoraceous odour, by another as a soft, sweet, fir-like aroma, and by Sigma-Aldrich's listing as balsamic, pine and sweet. Few detailed descriptions exist; none found calls it herbal.
- Leading note
- Sweet fir
- Supporting facets
- Balsamic, camphoraceous
- Character
- Soft, sweet, fresh
What makes Fenchyl Acetate distinctive
A softer, sweeter pine: the acetate takes the camphor edge off fenchol.
How Fenchyl Acetate is used
Used in pine, fir and fresh compositions, especially in functional products.
Typical role: modifier (used in small amounts to change the character of a blend).
How Fenchyl Acetate differs from similar materials
- Fenchol
- Fenchol is the cooler, more camphoraceous alcohol, with lime; the acetate is softer, sweeter and fir-like.
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.
Identity and classification
- Type
- Aroma chemical
- Origin
- Occurs in nature
- Odour family
- Aromatic / Citrus
- Note position
- Top to heart note
- Physical form at room temperature
- Liquid
- CAS number
- 13851-11-1
- Molecular formula
- C12H20O2
- Molecular weight
- 196.29 g/mol
- IUPAC name
- (1,3,3-trimethyl-2-bicyclo[2.2.1]heptanyl) acetate
The CAS number, formula and molecular weight are taken from PubChem compound 107217, 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 (1,644 reports): H317 may cause an allergic skin reaction (78.3% of reports); H341 suspected of causing genetic defects (78.3% of reports); H351 suspected of causing cancer (78.3% of reports). 276 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
-
Fenchol
Aroma chemical · Aromatic / Citrus — camphoraceous, earthy, lime, piney
-
Bornyl Acetate
Aroma chemical · Aromatic / Woody — pine, balsamic, camphoraceous, sweet
-
Isobornyl Acetate
Aroma chemical · Aromatic / Woody — pine, coniferous, balsamic, fresh
-
Lavandin Oil (Grosso)
Essential oil · Aromatic / Floral — lavender, camphoraceous, herbal, fresh
Used in formulas and accords
Used in 5 published formulas
Fenchyl Acetate is an ingredient in 4 perfume formulas and 1 accord in the Formula & Accord Library.
RUŌOD House Originals
Original compositions by RUŌOD House.
Further reading
Questions about Fenchyl Acetate
Is Fenchyl Acetate natural or synthetic?
The molecule occurs in nature. Commercial Fenchyl 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 Fenchyl Acetate?
13851-11-1. It was checked against PubChem on 19 October 2026.
Which published formulas use Fenchyl Acetate?
Fenchyl Acetate is used in 5 published formulas in the RUŌOD Lab Formula & Accord Library, including Birch Ghost, Cypress Bathhouse and Frost Herb Accord. Each is listed with a link under "Used in formulas and accords" on this page.
Sources
- PubChem — compound 107217, checked 19 October 2026.
- PubChem — GHS classification (the ECHA C&L Inventory notifications and any harmonised EU entry), read 26 October 2026.
- Sigma-Aldrich — fenchyl acetate — manufacturer's description.
- MySkinRecipes — Fenchyl acetate — distributor's description.
- Olfactory profile: the RUŌOD Lab team's synthesis of the published descriptions above, reviewed 26 October 2026. Evidence: more than one published description. Classification and the short description: revision 1. Descriptions of odour are judgement, not measurement.