Ingredient Dictionary

METHYL CINNAMATE

Methyl cinnamate is a methyl ester resulting from the formal condensation of methyl cinnamic acid with methanol.

Definition

Methyl cinnamate is a methyl ester resulting from the formal condensation of methyl cinnamic acid with methanol. It is found naturally in the essential oils of Alpinia and Basil leaf oil, and widely used in the flavor and perfume industries. It has a role as an insect attractant, a volatile oil component, a flavouring agent, a fragrance and an anti-inflammatory agent. It is an alkyl cinnamate and a methyl ester.

Source: PubChem

US FDA substance register · UNII 533CV2ZCQL · registered name METHYL CINNAMATE · single chemical substance

Source: US FDA Unique Ingredient Identifier (UNII)

Cosmetic roles

Gives the product a scentPERFUMING

Safety & regulatory references

Not classified under Korea’s toxic-substance GHS list · existing chemical substance

Source: Korea toxic substances GHS register (NIER)

More data — names, identifiers, properties, test records, literature

Names & identifiers

METHYL CINNAMATEINCI메틸신나메이트Korean label name (MFDS standard)2-Propenoic acid, 3-phenyl-, methyl esterSynonym

CAS No.chemical registry number: 103-26-4
EC No.EU chemical inventory number: 203-093-8
DTXSIDUS EPA chemical ID: DTXSID6042151
DTXCIDUS EPA compound ID: DTXCID5028118

IUPAC: Methyl 3-phenylprop-2-enoate
Molecular formula: C10H10O2
Molecular weight: 162.188 g/mol

Measured properties

Appearance: Liquid · Solid with a fruity, balsamic odor like strawberries, mp = 36 deg C, [Merck Index] Light yellow crystals, mp = 36-38 deg C, [Sigma-Aldrich MSDS]
Boiling point: 262-263 °C
Solubility: insoluble in water, soluble in oils · moderately soluble (in ethanol)
Melting/freezing point: 31~38 ℃
Initial boiling point and range: 260~263 ℃
Flash point: &amp, gt, 110 ℃
Vapour pressure: 0.011 ㎜Hg (25 C)
Relative density: 1.042 (at 36℃)
n-Octanol/water partition coefficient (Kow): 2.18
Viscosity: 1.26 cP (100 C)
Molecular weight: 162.08

Values measured on the substance itself. The KOSHA data are a reference for writing and reviewing safety data sheets, not a specification for a commercial raw material.

Source: PubChem · KOSHA safety data sheets (Korea)

What products actually use it for

What the 85 products reported to the US EPA with this ingredient use it for. Products outside cosmetics are included, so the top few rows are its main uses.

Fragrance80
Flavouring and nutrient2
Opacifer1
Viscosity modifier1
No specific technical function1

Source: US EPA CompTox dashboard

Irritation and sensitisation studies

6 skin studies and 1 eye studies are on record.

Classed as highly irritating4Classed as low3

The studies disagree (the most common conclusion covers 57%), so they do not establish that this ingredient is irritating. These tests are on the raw material itself; irritation at the amount in a finished product is a different question.

See all 7 studies

High Frequency of Sensitization
skin sensitisation: in vivo (non-LLNA) · Screening · according to OECD Guideline 406 (Skin Sensitisation) 1981 Edition
High Frequency of Sensitization
skin sensitisation: in vivo (non-LLNA) · Screening · according to other guideline: Kero, M., and Hannuksela, M. (1980). Guinea pig maximisation test, open epicutaneous test, and chamber test in the induction of delayed contact hypersensitivity. Contact Derm. 6, 341-344.
High Frequency of Sensitization
skin sensitisation: in vivo (non-LLNA) · Screening · according to OECD Guideline 406 (Skin Sensitisation)
Not likely to be sensitizing
skin sensitisation: in vivo (non-LLNA) · Screening · equivalent or similar to OECD Guideline 406 (Skin Sensitisation)
Studies Indicate No Significant Irritation
skin irritation: in vivo · Screening · OECD Guideline 404 (Acute Dermal Irritation / Corrosion) equivalent or similar to
High Frequency of Sensitization
skin sensitisation: in vivo (non-LLNA) · Screening · according to other guideline: Kelcak G. (1983) Identification of contact allergens: predictive tests in animals. In: Marzulli FN, Maibach HI, (eds), Dermatoxicology, 2nd Ed., Hemisphere Ney York, pp 193-236.
Studies Indicate No Significant Irritation
eye irritation: in vivo · Screening · OECD Guideline 405 (Acute Eye Irritation / Corrosion) equivalent or similar to