In short
Neryl acetate is the acetate ester of nerol and a notable constituent of helichrysum and neroli oils. It is sweeter and fruitier than its isomer, geranyl acetate.
What Neryl Acetate smells like
Neryl acetate has a very sweet, floral, orange-blossom and rose-like odour. Bedoukian describes a sweet floral, orange-flower, citrus, fresh rose odour with a tropical undertone; a natural grade lists sweet, rose, orange blossom and apple; IFF grades carry dewy pear tones. Arctander warned that lower grades containing geranyl acetate obscure its true odour. On its own it can seem dull.
- Leading note
- Sweet orange blossom and rose
- Supporting facets
- Fruity pear, apple, citrus
- Faint facets
- Tropical
- Character
- Sweet, fresh, fruity, soft
What makes Neryl Acetate distinctive
The orange-blossom ester of the rose family: sweeter and more neroli-like than geranyl acetate, with a dewy pear.
How Neryl Acetate is used
Used in neroli, orange-blossom and rose compositions and in citrus colognes; it occurs in neroli and helichrysum oils.
Typical role: modifier (used in small amounts to change the character of a blend).
How Neryl Acetate differs from similar materials
- Nerol
- Nerol is the fresher, more watery rose alcohol; the acetate is sweeter and fruitier, with orange blossom.
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
- Floral / Fruity
- Note position
- Heart note
- Physical form at room temperature
- Liquid
- Also known as
- (Z)-3,7-Dimethylocta-2,6-dienyl acetate
- CAS number
- 141-12-8
- Molecular formula
- C12H20O2
- Molecular weight
- 196.29 g/mol
- IUPAC name
- [(2Z)-3,7-dimethylocta-2,6-dienyl] acetate
The CAS number, formula and molecular weight are taken from PubChem compound 1549025, 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 (1,799 reports): H315 causes skin irritation (77.8% of reports); H317 may cause an allergic skin reaction (77.2% of reports); H412 harmful to aquatic life with long lasting effects (72.7% of reports). 298 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
-
Nerol
Aroma chemical · Floral / Citrus — rosy, citrus, sweet, fresh
-
Geranyl Acetate
Aroma chemical · Floral / Fruity — fruity, rosy, pear, fresh
-
Neroli Oil
Essential oil · Floral / Citrus — floral, citrus, orange blossom, honeyed
-
Linalyl Acetate
Aroma chemical · Aromatic / Fruity — fruity, floral, bergamot, lavender
Neryl Acetate is also suggested as a partner on the pages for Helichrysum Oil.
Used in formulas and accords
Used in 5 published formulas
Neryl Acetate is an ingredient in 3 perfume formulas and 2 accords in the Formula & Accord Library.
Community formulas
RUŌOD House Originals
Original compositions by RUŌOD House.
Further reading
Questions about Neryl Acetate
Is Neryl Acetate natural or synthetic?
The molecule occurs in nature. Commercial Neryl 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 Neryl Acetate?
141-12-8. It was checked against PubChem on 19 October 2026.
Which published formulas use Neryl Acetate?
Neryl Acetate is used in 5 published formulas in the RUŌOD Lab Formula & Accord Library, including Mandarin Tiles, Neroli Compass and Oolong/Jasmine Tea Accord. Each is listed with a link under "Used in formulas and accords" on this page.
Sources
- PubChem — compound 1549025, 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 — neryl acetate (with Bedoukian's description) — odour database.
- ChemicalBook — neryl acetate (CAS 141-12-8) — odour database.
- Scentspiracy — Neryl 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.