Cis-3-hexenol, commonly called leaf alcohol, is the aroma chemical responsible for the sharp, green smell of freshly cut grass and crushed leaves. It is a colourless liquid used in tiny amounts to add a natural, just-picked freshness to perfumes, flavours and scented products. Azlok stocks it in packs from 50 grams up to 25 kilograms, starting at ₹499.
What is cis-3-hexenol?
Cis-3-hexenol (chemical formula C6H12O, CAS number 928-96-1) is a naturally occurring compound found in green plants, leaves and unripe fruits. Its odour is intensely green, leafy and slightly herbal — the scent you notice the moment you mow a lawn or snap a fresh stem. Because it smells so much like living greenery, it has become one of the most-used top notes in modern perfumery and flavouring.
Common uses
- Fine fragrance and perfumery: Adds a natural green, dewy freshness to floral, fougère, citrus and aquatic accords. It is often used to make a rose or jasmine smell freshly picked.
- Functional fragrance: Widely blended into soaps, detergents, room sprays, candles and cosmetics where a clean, outdoorsy character is wanted.
- Flavour industry: In carefully controlled, food-grade contexts it contributes green top notes to fruit and vegetable flavour profiles.
- Pharmaceutical and pest-control applications: Used as an aroma ingredient and in specialised formulations within these industries.
For DIY makers in India, a single drop can lift a soap or candle blend from flat to fresh. It is powerful, so it is almost never used neat.
How to use it
Cis-3-hexenol is extremely strong. A little goes a very long way, and overdosing quickly turns a pleasant green note into something harsh and cabbage-like.
- Dilute first. Most perfumers work with it at 1% or 10% in perfumer's alcohol or a suitable carrier before adding it to a blend. This gives you far more control.
- Dose lightly. In fragrance compounds it is typically used at fractions of a percent. Start with the smallest amount you can measure and build up.
- Add as a top note. It is volatile and evaporates fast, so it shows up in the opening of a fragrance rather than the dry-down.
- Blend and rest. Let your finished blend mature for a few days so the green note settles into the composition.
Safety notes
Treat this as a concentrated aroma chemical, not a casual home ingredient.
- Always read the MSDS and COA before use, and follow IFRA guidelines for skin-contact products.
- Work in a well-ventilated area and avoid breathing in the concentrated vapour.
- Wear gloves; the neat liquid can irritate skin and eyes. Rinse thoroughly if contact occurs.
- Do not ingest the raw material. Only food-grade material handled under proper food-safety practices should be used in flavours.
- Keep away from children, pets, open flames and sources of heat.
- Patch-test any finished skin product before regular use.
Buying and storage tips
Buy a pack size that suits how quickly you will use it — because it is so potent, a 50 gram or 100 gram bottle lasts a hobbyist a long time, while soap and candle businesses may prefer 500 gram or larger packs. Azlok offers sizes right up to 25 kilograms for production use.
- Shelf life: Around 12 months when stored correctly.
- Store cool and dark: Keep the bottle tightly closed, away from heat and direct sunlight, to slow oxidation and preserve the clean green odour.
- Minimise air exposure: Decant into smaller bottles as you use up stock so there is less headspace.
- Label clearly with the name, CAS number and date of opening.
FAQ
What does cis-3-hexenol smell like?
It has a powerful, fresh, green and leafy odour, closely resembling the smell of freshly cut grass and crushed green leaves.
Is cis-3-hexenol natural or synthetic?
The compound occurs naturally in many plants and fruits. The material sold for industry may be naturally derived or produced synthetically; both share the same chemical identity (CAS 928-96-1).
How much should I use in a fragrance?
Very little. It is usually diluted to 1% or 10% first and then added at fractions of a percent to the final blend. Overdosing creates an unpleasant, harsh green note.
Can I use it in food flavours?
Only food-grade material handled under proper food-safety conditions should be used in flavours, and never the neat liquid on its own. Always check the specification and applicable regulations before any flavour use.
How should I store it?
Keep it tightly sealed in a cool, dark place away from heat and sunlight, and use it within its roughly 12-month shelf life for the best aroma.