Product Name

ACETANILIDE / N-Phenylacetamide / Acetanil

CAS No.: 103-84-4

🟢 Difficulty: Advanced

⏳ Lasting: High

🌸 Note: Base

Description

Acetanilide, also known as N-Phenylacetamide, is an aromatic amide supplied as a white to off-white crystalline solid. Its molecular formula is C₈H₉NO and its molecular weight is approximately 135.16. Unlike many conventional aroma chemicals, Acetanilide itself is generally described as odorless.

In perfumery, Acetanilide is recognized as a fragrance/perfuming ingredient and is better considered a specialty functional material rather than a conventional odor-building ingredient. It may be encountered in selected fragrance and cosmetic formulations where its physical and formulation characteristics are useful. Because it does not provide a strong characteristic odor, it should not be treated like floral, fruity or woody aroma chemicals that are primarily selected for their direct olfactory contribution.

For perfumers and formulators, Acetanilide is therefore most relevant to specialty fragrance bases and technical formulation work. Its crystalline nature and relatively high melting point also mean that handling and dissolution should be considered when incorporating it into a concentrate. It is soluble in several organic solvents, while its water solubility is limited.

Odor Profile

• Essentially odorless

• Very faint aromatic character

• Dry

• Neutral

• Powdery impression in finished systems

• Non-volatile character

• Suitable as a specialty perfuming material

Recommended Formulation Level (Educational guideline only)

• Trace: 0.01–0.05%

• General use: 0.05–0.50%

• High-impact accords: 0.50–1.00%

These are formulation guidelines for perfumers and are not IFRA limits.

Works Well With

• Benzyl Salicylate

• Phenyl Ethyl Alcohol

• Benzyl Alcohol

• Vanillin

• Coumarin

• Heliotropin

• Linalool

• Linalyl Acetate

• Hedione

• Ionone materials

• Floral fragrance bases

• Powdery accords

Common Applications

• Fine Fragrance

• Attars

• Soap

• Body Care

• Cosmetic Fragrance

• Specialty Fragrance Bases

• Home Fragrance

Perfumers' Tip

Acetanilide should not be selected when a strong odor effect is required, since reliable chemical references describe it as essentially odorless. Instead, consider it a specialty formulation material and evaluate its contribution within the complete fragrance system.

Because it is a crystalline solid, prepare an appropriate solution or dilution before testing in a perfume concentrate. Always consult the current supplier SDS and applicable regulatory documentation before use in consumer products.