In short
Linalyl acetate is the ester that gives lavender, bergamot and clary sage much of their fresh, fruity character. It is made synthetically and also occurs abundantly in those oils.
What Linalyl Acetate smells like
Linalyl acetate is a sweet, fresh, bergamot-lavender ester. The Good Scents Company lists sweet, green, citrus, bergamot, lavender and woody; a supplier sweet lavender, floral, fruity, fresh and slightly citrus. It is one of the principal components of bergamot and lavender oils, and ChemicalBook calls it the most important fragrance ingredient for bergamot, lilac, lavender, linden, neroli and ylang. Perfumers note that the lavender character owes more to linalool than to the acetate, which leans bergamot and clary sage.
- Leading note
- Sweet bergamot-lavender
- Supporting facets
- Fruity, green citrus
- Faint facets
- Woody
- Character
- Sweet, fresh, soft, fruity
What makes Linalyl Acetate distinctive
The sweetness of bergamot and lavender: softer and fruitier than linalool, and the reason bergamot smells floral.
How Linalyl Acetate is used
Used in bergamot, lavender, lilac, neroli and many other reconstructions, and as a sweet, fresh modifier across fine and functional fragrance.
Typical role: backbone (used in large proportions as a structural material of an accord); blender (smooths the joins between other materials).
How Linalyl Acetate differs from similar materials
- Linalool
- Linalool is the lighter, floral-woody alcohol; the acetate is sweeter and fruitier.
- Bergamot Oil (Expressed)
- Bergamot oil owes much of its floral, lavender-like lift to linalyl acetate; the oil adds citrus peel and bitterness.
- Lavender Oil
- Lavender oil combines linalyl acetate with linalool and herbaceous notes; the ester alone is sweeter and more bergamot-like.
- Terpinyl Acetate
- Arctander found terpinyl acetate much weaker than linalyl acetate, with slightly better tenacity; it is also more herbal and sometimes piney. (compared directly by a cited source)
- Nopyl Acetate
- Arctander describes nopyl acetate as less sweet, less fruity and more woody than linalyl acetate. (compared directly by a cited source)
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
Can hydrolyse to linalool and acetic acid in some bases.
Identity and classification
- Type
- Aroma chemical
- Origin
- Occurs in nature
- Odour family
- Aromatic / Fruity
- Note position
- Top note
- Physical form at room temperature
- Liquid
- CAS number
- 115-95-7
- Molecular formula
- C12H20O2
- Molecular weight
- 196.29 g/mol
- IUPAC name
- 3,7-dimethylocta-1,6-dien-3-yl acetate
The CAS number, formula and molecular weight are taken from PubChem compound 8294, 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 (2,347 reports): H315 causes skin irritation (85.5% of reports); H319 causes serious eye irritation (85.3% of reports); H317 may cause an allergic skin reaction (12.2% of reports). 316 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
-
Linalool
Aroma chemical · Floral / Citrus — floral, fresh, woody, citrus
-
Lavender Oil
Essential oil · Aromatic / Floral — lavender, herbal, floral, fresh
-
Bergamot Oil (Expressed)
Essential oil · Citrus / Aromatic — citrus, zesty, floral, tea-like
-
Clary Sage Oil
Essential oil · Aromatic / Amber — herbal, tea-like, ambery, musky
Linalyl Acetate is also suggested as a partner on the pages for Clarycet, Lavandulyl Acetate, Lavender Absolute, Neryl Acetate, Terpinyl Acetate and Verdyl Acetate.
Used in formulas and accords
Used in 24 published formulas
Linalyl Acetate is an ingredient in 9 perfume formulas, 10 accords and 5 bases in the Formula & Accord Library.
Community formulas
RUŌOD House Originals
Original compositions by RUŌOD House.
Further reading
Questions about Linalyl Acetate
Is Linalyl Acetate natural or synthetic?
The molecule occurs in nature. Commercial Linalyl 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 Linalyl Acetate?
115-95-7. It was checked against PubChem on 19 October 2026.
Which published formulas use Linalyl Acetate?
Linalyl Acetate is used in 24 published formulas in the RUŌOD Lab Formula & Accord Library, including Black Musk, Cannabis Base and Eau de Cologne Base. Each is listed with a link under "Used in formulas and accords" on this page.
Sources
- PubChem — compound 8294, 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 — linalyl acetate — odour database.
- ChemicalBook — linalyl acetate — odour database.
- Basenotes — linalyl acetate discussion (forum) — published perfumery reference.
- 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.