In short
Silvial is a trade name for 3-(4-isobutylphenyl)-2-methylpropanal, an aromatic aldehyde with a fresh lily-of-the-valley odour. It is one of the materials used to build muguet accords.
What Silvial smells like
Silvial (Givaudan; also sold as cyclamen homoaldehyde) is a fresh, watery lily-of-the-valley aldehyde. Distributors describe a floral scent reminiscent of lily of the valley and other blossoms, a fresh aldehydic touch with a subtle citrus undertone, and marine and green facets; one notes it is not especially strong. It is positioned as one of the best substitutes for Lilial, usually combined with similar materials, and as a replacement for Bourgeonal. On its own, suppliers warn, it can seem dull.
- Leading note
- Fresh watery muguet
- Supporting facets
- Citrus, aldehydic
- Faint facets
- Marine, green
- Character
- Fresh, watery, clean, light
What makes Silvial distinctive
A clean, watery muguet with a citrus undertone — the material many perfumers reached for when Lilial was banned.
Where the descriptions disagree: One distributor calls it powerful and vibrant; another says it is not especially strong.
How Silvial is used
Used in muguet and fresh floral accords, especially as part of Lilial replacements, combined with other muguet materials.
Typical role: backbone (used in large proportions as a structural material of an accord); modifier (used in small amounts to change the character of a blend).
How Silvial differs from similar materials
- Bourgeonal
- One distributor offers Silvial as a replacement for Bourgeonal; Bourgeonal is more aldehydic, watery and metallic. (compared directly by a cited source)
- Florhydral
- Florhydral is greener and more natural, with hyacinth; Silvial is a watery muguet with a citrus undertone.
- Cyclamen Aldehyde
- Cyclamen aldehyde is more vegetal, with cucumber and melon; Silvial is a cleaner, more floral muguet.
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
Check the current regulatory and IFRA status for your market before use; the regulation of muguet aldehydes has changed several times.
Identity and classification
- Type
- Aroma chemical
- Origin
- Synthetic
- Odour family
- Floral / Aldehydic
- Note position
- Heart note
- Physical form at room temperature
- Liquid
- Also known as
- 3-(4-Isobutylphenyl)-2-methylpropanal
- CAS number
- 6658-48-6
- Molecular formula
- C14H20O
- Molecular weight
- 204.31 g/mol
- IUPAC name
- 2-methyl-3-[4-(2-methylpropyl)phenyl]propanal
The CAS number, formula and molecular weight are taken from PubChem compound 110914, whose own record lists this CAS number; checked 19 October 2026.
Safety and compliance
The IFRA Standards Library lists a Standard covering Silvial:
- "p-Isobutyl-alpha-methyl hydrocinnamaldehyde" — Restriction, 49th Amendment, published 2020-01
Limits differ by product category and are set out in the Standard itself; this page does not reproduce them. The list above reflects the library as read on 19 October 2026.
Hazard classification of the neat substance, as PubChem summarises it, read 26 October 2026. Companies notifying the ECHA C&L Inventory classify it (1,512 reports): H361 suspected of damaging fertility or the unborn child (89.9% 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
-
Hydroxycitronellal
Aroma chemical · Floral / Green — muguet, floral, soft, sweet
-
Florol
Aroma chemical · Floral / Green — muguet, fresh, floral, clean
-
Mayol
Aroma chemical · Floral / Green — muguet, fresh, clean, floral
-
Lilyflore
Aroma chemical · Floral / Green — muguet, floral, fresh, soft
Used in formulas and accords
Used in 3 published formulas
Silvial is an ingredient in 2 perfume formulas and 1 accord in the Formula & Accord Library.
Community formulas
RUŌOD House Originals
Original compositions by RUŌOD House.
Further reading
Questions about Silvial
Is Silvial natural or synthetic?
Silvial is synthetic — it is made by chemical synthesis.
What is the CAS number of Silvial?
6658-48-6. It was checked against PubChem on 19 October 2026.
Which published formulas use Silvial?
Silvial is used in 3 published formulas in the RUŌOD Lab Formula & Accord Library: Bell Glass, Cut Stem Atelier and Solar Accord. Each is listed with a link under "Used in formulas and accords" on this page.
Is Silvial covered by an IFRA Standard?
Yes. The IFRA Standards Library lists a Standard covering it: "p-Isobutyl-alpha-methyl hydrocinnamaldehyde" — Restriction, 49th Amendment. The limits depend on the product category; read the Standard itself before formulating.
Sources
- PubChem — compound 110914, checked 19 October 2026.
- PubChem — GHS classification (the ECHA C&L Inventory notifications and any harmonised EU entry), read 26 October 2026.
- IFRA — Standards Library, read 19 October 2026.
- De Hekserij — Silvial (Givaudan) — distributor's description.
- Fraterworks — Silvial — distributor's description.
- The Fragrance Foundry — Silvial (Givaudan) — 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.