Iso Amyl Salicylate (AC)

• Main Character: Floral, orchid-like, soft balsamic.
• Facets: Sweet, slightly spicy, soft woody, with subtle green undertones.
• Comparison:
  • Amyl Salicylate (n-amyl) → greener, fresher, spicier, herbaceous.
  • Iso Amyl Salicylate (isoamyl) → more floral, exotic, orchid-like, rounder and softer.
• Associations: Orchid, clover, azalea, jasmine warmth.

 

Use in perfumery

• Role: Heart note, gives floral accords an exotic, balsamic depth.
• Combinations :
  • With jasmine, ylang-ylang and lavender for a rich floral accord.
  • In fougère and oriental florals to add warmth and sensuality.
• Effect: Enhances diffusion and gives a rounded, cared-for finish to perfumes.

 

Other applications

• Cosmetics: shampoo, shower gel, body lotion – gives a floral-green freshness.
• Household products: Soap, detergents, air fresheners – provides a floral base that lasts.
• Home fragrance: candles and sprays, where it gives a soft, floral diffusion.

 

Thus, Iso Amyl Salicylate is not primarily a “green note,” but rather an orchid-like, floral-balsamic salicylate with a slight green nuance.
It differs from Amyl Salicylate in that it is less fresh-green and instead more floral and exotic.

 

Comparison: Iso Amyl Salicylate vs. Amyl Salicylate

Feature	Iso Amyl Salicylate	Amyl Salicylate
CAS	87-20-7	2050-08-0 / 51115-63-0
Alcohol component	Isoamyl (3-methylbutanol, branched)	n-Amyl (pentanol, straight chain)
Fragrance profile	Floral, orchid-like, softly balsamic, slightly sweet, with subtle green nuance	Greener, fresher, spicier, herbaceous, with floral undertones
Fragrance group	Floral / balsamic	Floral / green / balsamic
Associations	Orchid, clover, azalea, jasmine warmth	Lavender, muguet, hyacinth, fougère
Application	Exotic florals, jasmine, oriental floral accords	Fougère, fresh floral accords, green perfumes
Effect	Gives round, soft, exotic floralcy and balsamic depth	Gives fresh, green elevator and spicy brightness

Similar aroma chemicals in terms of fragrance to Iso Amyl Salicylate are mainly other salicylates and some green-floral esters.
Think Amyl Salicylate, Hexyl Salicylate, Benzyl Salicylate, Cis-3-Hexenyl Salicylate and also related green esters such as cis-3-Hexenol and cis-3-Hexenyl Acetate.

Tip: Read the article in our Fragrance Compass: Salicylates the silent heroes

 

Overview similar aroma chemicals

🔹 Salicylates (family of Iso Amyl Salicylate)

• Amyl Salicylate (n-Amyl, CAS 2050-08-0)
  • Scent: green, fresh, spicy, herbaceous
  • Application: fougère, lavender, muguet, hyacinth
• Hexyl Salicylate (CAS 6259-76-3)
  • Scent: floral, soft, slightly fruity, with green undertones
  • Application: floral perfumes, muguet, rose
• Benzyl Salicylate (CAS 118-58-1)
  • Scent: sweet, floral, slightly spicy, balsamic
  • Application: fixative in numerous perfumes, enhances jasmine
• cis-3-Hexenyl Salicylate (CAS 65405-77-8)
  • Scent: green, fresh, grassy, floral
  • Application: green floral accords (muguet, hyacinth, lily of the valley)

🔹 Related green esters and alcohols

• cis-3-Hexenol (Leaf Alcohol, CAS 928-96-1)
  • Scent: intense green, grassy, freshly cut grass
  • Application: green top notes, natural freshness
• cis-3-Hexenyl Acetate (CAS 3681-71-8)
  • Scent: green, fruity, apple/pear-like
  • Application: fruity and green perfumes, freshness in top notes
• Linalyl Salicylate (CAS 87-16-5)
  • Scent: floral, lavender-like, soft spicy
  • Application: fougère, aromatic and floral accords

• all popular in floral, fougere and green perfumes, often combined to achieve a natural, fresh and elegant effect.

Summary

• Iso Amyl Salicylate = floral, orchid-like, balsamic with slight green nuance.
• Similar molecules:
  • Amyl Salicylate → greener, fresher.
  • Hexyl & Benzyl Salicylate → more floral, softer, balmy.
  • cis-3-Hexenyl Salicylate & cis-3-Hexenol → pronounced green, fresh.
• Together they form a family of floral-green, balsamic aroma chemicals often combined in fougere, floral and green perfumes.