Hydrocinnamaldehyde

What Hydrocinnamaldehyde smells like

Hydrocinnamaldehyde (3-phenylpropanal) is a strong floral aldehyde with a heavy hyacinth character and a balsamic sweetness. ChemicalBook describes a strong, floral, slightly balsamic, heavy hyacinth-like odour and notes its use in hyacinth and lilac compositions; Perfumer & Flavorist describes it as green, aldehydic, floral and melon-like. In flavour it reads balsamic, green and warm, with melon and fruity notes.

Leading note

Heavy hyacinth

Clear facets

Balsamic

Supporting facets

Green aldehydic

Faint facets

Melon

Character

Heavy, sweet, green, floral

• hyacinth
• green
• balsamic
• floral

What makes Hydrocinnamaldehyde distinctive

It is the heavier, balsamic hyacinth. Its isomer hydratropic aldehyde is fresh and leafy; hydrocinnamaldehyde has a sweet, balsamic weight and an unexpected melon-like nuance.

How Hydrocinnamaldehyde is used

Used in hyacinth and lilac compositions, where it gives body as well as greenness.

Typical role: modifier (used in small amounts to change the character of a blend).

How Hydrocinnamaldehyde differs from similar materials

Hydratropic Aldehyde

Hydratropic aldehyde is fresher, leafier and more directly hyacinth; hydrocinnamaldehyde is heavier and balsamic, with a melon nuance.

Phenylpropyl Alcohol

The corresponding alcohol is milder and softer, sweet-balsamic hyacinth and mignonette; the aldehyde is stronger, greener and more aldehydic.

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

Oxidises in air; store well closed and use within its shelf life.

Identity and classification

Type

Aroma chemical

Origin

Occurs in nature

Odour family

Floral / Green

Note position

Heart note

Physical form at room temperature

Liquid

Also known as

3-Phenylpropanal, Phenylpropyl aldehyde

CAS number

104-53-0

Molecular formula

C9H10O

Molecular weight

134.17 g/mol

IUPAC name

3-phenylpropanal

The CAS number, formula and molecular weight are taken from PubChem compound 7707, 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 (1,717 reports): H315 causes skin irritation (100% of reports); H319 causes serious eye irritation (100% of reports). 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

• Phenylacetaldehyde

  Aroma chemical · Green / Floral — green, honeyed, hyacinth, floral

• Phenylethyl Alcohol

  Aroma chemical · Floral / Green — rose, honeyed, soft, floral

• Cinnamyl Alcohol

  Aroma chemical · Floral / Spicy — balsamic, floral, hyacinth, sweet

• Galbanum Oil

  Essential oil · Green / Resinous — green, sharp, bitter, resinous

Hydrocinnamaldehyde is also suggested as a partner on the pages for Dimethyl Hydroquinone, Phenylpropyl Alcohol and Trifernal.

Used in formulas and accords

Used in 1 published formula

Hydrocinnamaldehyde is an ingredient in 1 perfume formula in the Formula & Accord Library.

RUŌOD House Originals

Original compositions by RUŌOD House.

• Cut Stem Atelier

  RUŌOD House Original

Further reading

• How to Make a Lilac Accord

  Building lilac from aroma chemicals: terpineol, heliotropin, phenylethyl alcohol and indole, an illustrative accord, balancing it and restrictions to check.

• Perfume Materials by Odor Family: A Formulator's Palette Map

  Which materials build each odor family — citrus, floral, woody, amber, musk and more — their usual roles, what to watch for, and links to each in depth.

Questions about Hydrocinnamaldehyde

Sources

• PubChem — compound 7707, checked 19 October 2026.
• PubChem — GHS classification (the ECHA C&L Inventory notifications and any harmonised EU entry), read 26 October 2026.
• ChemicalBook — 3-phenylpropanal (CAS 104-53-0) — odour database.
• Perfumer & Flavorist — phenylpropanals (abstract) — published literature.
• 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.