2-hexenal diethyl acetal

2-Hexenal diethyl acetal, also known by its synonym 1,1-diethoxy-2-hexene, is an organic acetal compound with the molecular formula C₁₀H₂₀O₂. It typically appears as a colorless liquid and exhibits a characteristic green, fruity odor reminiscent of fresh green apples. This compound belongs to the class of flavoring agents and is used to impart green apple and fresh fruit notes in various applications. 2-Hexenal diethyl acetal is accessible both by chemical synthesis and as a derivative of natural precursors in plant metabolism. It is catalogued in the PubChem database, which provides comprehensive chemical identifiers and properties.

This compound may be derived from biological sources where related unsaturated aldehydes undergo acetal formation. Its primary applications are in flavoring formulations to provide green apple and fruity notes that enhance food products. It is also used in air fresheners to impart a fresh, fruity aroma. Usage of 2-hexenal diethyl acetal in flavorings is regulated under standards such as the FEMA (US) guidelines, ensuring controlled intake levels in various food categories. The compound finds potential use in dairy products, confectionery, chewing gum, bakery goods, and processed vegetables, reflecting its versatile flavor profile.

2-Hexenal diethyl acetal is characterized by a molecular weight of approximately 172.27 g/mol. It exhibits a moderate refractive index range from 1.418 to 1.426 measured at 20 °C, indicating its optical density. The specific gravity values at 25 °C range between 0.843 and 0.849, suggesting a relatively low density compared to water. The compound has a vapor pressure of about 0.704 mmHg at 25 °C, reflecting moderate volatility important for flavor release in formulations. Its flash point is approximately 65.5 °C (150 °F), which denotes a moderate flammability hazard under controlled conditions. The estimated logP value of 3.3 indicates lipophilicity balancing water solubility and lipid affinity, affecting its behaviour in complex food and fragrance matrices.

(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
HMDB (The Human Metabolome Database):	HMDB29760
FooDB:	FDB000965
Export Tariff Code:	2911.00.0000
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Safety information

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:
Not determined
Dermal Toxicity:
Not determined
Inhalation Toxicity:
Not determined

Safety in use information

Category:
flavoring agents
Recommendation for 2-hexenal diethyl acetal usage levels up to:
	not for fragrance use.
Maximised Survey-derived Daily Intakes (MSDI-EU):		0.01 (μg/capita/day)
Modified Theoretical Added Maximum Daily Intake (mTAMDI):		1700 (μg/person/day)
Threshold of Concern:		1800 (μg/person/day)
Structure Class:		I
Food categories according to Commission Regulation EC No. 1565/2000 (EC, 2000) in FGE.06 (EFSA, 2002a). According to the Industry the "normal" use is defined as the average of reported usages and "maximum use" is defined as the 95th percentile of reported usages (EFSA, 2002i).
Note: mg/kg = 0.001/1000 = 0.000001 = 1/1000000 = ppm.
		average usage mg/kg	maximum usage mg/kg
Dairy products, excluding products of category 02.0 (01.0):		5.70000	12.00000
Fats and oils, and fat emulsions (type water-in-oil) (02.0):		1.50000	14.25000
Edible ices, including sherbet and sorbet (03.0):		-	-
Processed fruit (04.1):		-	-
Processed vegetables (incl. mushrooms & fungi, roots & tubers, pulses and legumes), and nuts & seeds (04.2):		5.00000	5.03000
Confectionery (05.0):		5.50000	14.46000
Chewing gum (05.3):		6.02000	20.87000
Cereals and cereal products, incl. flours & starches from roots & tubers, pulses & legumes, excluding bakery (06.0):		4.80000	11.55000
Bakery wares (07.0):		6.00000	17.00000
Meat and meat products, including poultry and game (08.0):		0.90000	2.98000
Fish and fish products, including molluscs, crustaceans and echinoderms (MCE) (09.0):		-	-
Eggs and egg products (10.0):		-	-
Sweeteners, including honey (11.0):		-	-
Salts, spices, soups, sauces, salads, protein products, etc. (12.0):		2.00000	5.00000
Foodstuffs intended for particular nutritional uses (13.0):		-	-
Non-alcoholic ("soft") beverages, excl. dairy products (14.1):		2.00000	4.43000
Alcoholic beverages, incl. alcohol-free and low-alcoholic counterparts (14.2):		1.00000	2.00000
Ready-to-eat savouries (15.0):		2.50000	4.50000
Composite foods (e.g. casseroles, meat pies, mincemeat) - foods that could not be placed in categories 01.0 - 15.0 (16.0):		-	-

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):

EFSA Panel on Food Contact Materials, Enzymes, Flavourings and Processing Aids (CEF) View page or View pdf

Scientific Opinion on Flavouring Group Evaluation 200, Revision 1 (FGE.200 Rev.1): 74 a,ß-unsaturated aliphatic aldehydes and precursors from chemical subgroup 1.1.1 of FGE.19 View page or View pdf

Scientific Opinion on Flavouring Group Evaluation 61 Revision 2 (FGE.61Rev2): consideration of aliphatic acetals evaluated by JECFA (57th, 63rd and 68th meetings) structurally related to acetals evaluated by EFSA in FGE.03Rev2 View page or View pdf

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EPA ACToR:Toxicology Data

EPA Substance Registry Services (SRS):Registry

Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary :93366

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases:Data

1,1-diethoxyhex-2-ene

Chemidplus:0054306002