Salicylic aldehyde

Uses in perfumery :

Salicylaldehyde is used in warm, almond and coumarinic notes.

Year of discovery :

Data not available.

Natural availability :

Salicylaldehyde is found naturally in small quantities in Ceylon Cinnamon EO.

Isomerism :

The ortho and meta positional isomers of Salicylaldehyde are little used in perfumery, although they also have a bitter almond, very hot, balsamic and sweet smell.

Synthesis precursor :

Salicylaldehyde is the main precursor to Coumarin synthesis by a Perkin reaction with acetic anhydride. It can also form a Schiff base by reaction with Methyl Anthranilate or Indole for example.

Synthesis route :

Salicylaldehyde is synthesized by a Reimer-Tiemann reaction, reacting phenol with potash and chloroform. Then, the aldehyde function implants in the ortho position with respect to the alcohol function.

Stability :

Aldehydes may form diethylacetals in alcoholic perfumes, with no real impact on their smell
Most of the time, the occurrence of a benzenic cycle in a molecule causes a coloration of this molecule through time

Other comments :

Salicylaldehyde is produced by certain insects.

Allergens :

This ingredient is classified as an allergen under European Regulation 2023/1545, dated August 26, 2023.
Its presence must therefore be declared on product labels when it exceeds 0.001% in leave-on products and 0.01% in rinse-off products.

Signal word :

Warning

Hazard pictograms :

Precautionary statements :

IFRA 51^th :

This ingredient is not restricted for the 51th amendment