linalyl formate

Linalyl formate is an ester derived from formic acid and linalool, a terpene alcohol commonly found in many essential oils. It appears as a clear liquid with a molecular formula of C₁₁H₁₈O₂ and exhibits a medium-strength herbal odor enriched with citrus, bergamot, lavender, and woody nuances. This compound is synonymous with several names including linalool formate and formic acid linalyl ester. As a naturally occurring constituent, it is present in essential oils such as clary sage and lavandula species. Linalyl formate serves a notable role in flavor and fragrance formulations, contributing fresh and green herbal aspects. For detailed chemical information, a controlled vocabulary resource is available at PubChem CID 61040. It is commonly sourced both via natural extraction and synthetic processes.

Linalyl formate occurs naturally in several plants and their oils, including apricot fruit, peach fruit, clary sage oil from Greece, and lavender (Lavandula) species. It contributes to the characteristic odors and flavors associated with these sources. Its uses span flavoring agents that impart fruity and floral notes such as apricot, peach, bergamot, and rose, along with herbal and fresh aspects. Furthermore, it is applied as a perfuming agent in cosmetic products. Regulatory evaluations under FEMA (US) designate it as FEMA 2642, permitting use within established limits. The compound is recognized by IFRA (Global) standards with recommended usage levels not exceeding 8% in fragrance concentrates. These standards ensure safe inclusion in consumer products.

Linalyl formate is a moderately volatile ester with a boiling range of 100 to 103 °C under reduced pressure (10 mm Hg) and a specific gravity of 0.914 at 25 °C. Its vapor pressure at 25 °C is low, approximately 0.034 mmHg, indicating moderate evaporation tendencies. The log P (partition coefficient) estimate of 3.47 reflects good lipophilicity, favoring solubility in oils and alcohols, while it has limited water solubility at about 28.25 mg/L at 25 °C. It dissolves well in fixed oils and certain organic solvents but not in glycerin or water, influencing its formulation compatibility. The flash point is approximately 86 °C (converted from 186 °F), suggesting moderate flammability risk under typical handling conditions. These properties facilitate its incorporation as an aroma compound in lipophilic and alcoholic matrices.

	3,7-dimethylocta-1,6-dien-3-yl formate
NIST Chemistry WebBook:	Search Inchi
Canada Domestic Sub. List:	115-99-1
Pubchem (cid):	61040
Pubchem (sid):	135018717
Flavornet:	115-99-1

(IUPAC):	Atomic Weights of the Elements 2011 (pdf)
Videos:	The Periodic Table of Videos
tgsc:	Atomic Weights use for this web site
(IUPAC):	Periodic Table of the Elements
FDA Substances Added to Food (formerly EAFUS):	View
CHEMBL:	View
HMDB (The Human Metabolome Database):	HMDB30424
FooDB:	FDB002288
Export Tariff Code:	2915.13.0000
Typical G.C.
VCF-Online:	VCF Volatile Compounds in Food
ChemSpider:	View

Safety information

Preferred SDS: View
European information :
Most important hazard(s):
Xi - Irritant
R 36/38 - Irritating to skin and eyes. S 02 - Keep out of the reach of children. S 24/25 - Avoid contact with skin and eyes. S 26 - In case of contact with eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of water and seek medical advice. S 36 - Wear suitable protective clothing.
Hazards identification
Classification of the substance or mixture
GHS Classification in accordance with 29 CFR 1910 (OSHA HCS)
None found.
GHS Label elements, including precautionary statements
Pictogram
Hazard statement(s)
None found.
Precautionary statement(s)
None found.
Oral/Parenteral Toxicity:
oral-rat LD50 > 5000 mg/kg (Russell, 1973e) oral-mouse LD50 [sex: M] 5389 mg/kg (Hoffman-LaRoche, Inc., 1967b) oral-rat LD50 > 5000 mg/kg Food and Cosmetics Toxicology. Vol. 13, Pg. 833, 1975.
Dermal Toxicity:
skin-rabbit LD50 > 5000 mg/kg Food and Cosmetics Toxicology. Vol. 13, Pg. 833, 1975.
Inhalation Toxicity:
Not determined

Safety in use information

Category:
flavor and fragrance agents
RIFM Fragrance Material Safety Assessment: Search
IFRA Code of Practice Notification of the 49th Amendment to the IFRA Code of Practice
Recommendation for linalyl formate usage levels up to:
	8.0000 % in the fragrance concentrate.
Maximised Survey-derived Daily Intakes (MSDI-EU):		6.90 (μg/capita/day)
Use levels for FEMA GRAS flavoring substances on which the FEMA Expert Panel based its judgments that the substances are generally recognized as safe (GRAS).
The Expert Panel also publishes separate extensive reviews of scientific information on all FEMA GRAS flavoring substances and can be found at FEMA Flavor Ingredient Library
publication number: 3
Click here to view publication 3
		average usual ppm	average maximum ppm
baked goods:		-	13.00000
beverages(nonalcoholic):		-	1.30000
beverages(alcoholic):		-	-
breakfast cereal:		-	-
cheese:		-	-
chewing gum:		-	1.20000
condiments / relishes:		-	-
confectionery froastings:		-	-
egg products:		-	-
fats / oils:		-	-
fish products:		-	-
frozen dairy:		-	12.00000
fruit ices:		-	12.00000
gelatins / puddings:		-	-
granulated sugar:		-	-
gravies:		-	-
hard candy:		-	3.80000
imitation dairy:		-	-
instant coffee / tea:		-	-
jams / jellies:		-	-
meat products:		-	-
milk products:		-	-
nut products:		-	-
other grains:		-	-
poultry:		-	-
processed fruits:		-	-
processed vegetables:		-	-
reconstituted vegetables:		-	-
seasonings / flavors:		-	-
snack foods:		-	-
soft candy:		-	-
soups:		-	-
sugar substitutes:		-	-
sweet sauces:		-	-

Safety references

European Food Safety Athority(EFSA):Flavor usage levels; Subacute, Subchronic, Chronic and Carcinogenicity Studies; Developmental / Reproductive Toxicity Studies; Genotoxicity Studies...

European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) reference(s):

Opinion of the Scientific Panel on food additives, flavourings, processing aids and materials in contact with food (AFC) related to Flavouring Group Evaluation 18 (FGE.18): Aliphatic, alicyclic and aromatic saturated and unsaturated tertiary alcohols, aromatic tertiary alcohols and their esters from chemical group 6 View page or View pdf

Flavouring Group Evaluation 18, Revision 1 (FGE. 18 Rev1)[1] : Aliphatic, alicyclic and aromatic saturated and unsaturated tertiary alcohols, aromatic tertiary alcohols and their esters from chemical groups 6 and 8 View page or View pdf

EPI System: View

AIDS Citations:Search

Cancer Citations:Search

Toxicology Citations:Search

EPA Substance Registry Services (TSCA):115-99-1

EPA ACToR:Toxicology Data

EPA Substance Registry Services (SRS):Registry

Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary :61040

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases:Data

WGK Germany:2

3,7-dimethylocta-1,6-dien-3-yl formate

Chemidplus:0000115991

RTECS:RG5925600 for cas# 115-99-1