Cinnamyl alcohol

Cinnamyl alcohol or styron is an organic compound that is found in esterified form in storax, Balsam of Peru, and cinnamon leaves. It forms a white crystalline solid when pure, or a yellow oil when even slightly impure. It can be produced by the hydrolysis of storax.

Cinnamyl alcohol is a occurs naturally only in small quantities, so its industrial demand is usually fulfilled by chemical synthesis starting from cinnamaldehyde.

Properties

The compound is a solid at room temperature, forming colorless crystals that melt upon gentle heating. As is typical of most higher-molecular weight alcohols, it is sparingly soluble in water at room temperature, but highly soluble in most common organic solvents.

Uses

Cinnamyl alcohol has a distinctive odor described as "sweet, balsam, hyacinth, spicy, green, powdery, cinnamic" and is used in perfumery and as a deodorant.

Cinnamyl alcohol is the starting material used in the synthesis of reboxetine.

Safety

Cinnamyl alcohol has been found to have a sensitizing effect on some people and as a result is the subject of a Restricted Standard issued by IFRA (International Fragrance Association).

Glycosides

Rosarin and rosavin are cinnamyl alcohol glycosides isolated from Rhodiola rosea.

References