This section provides an overview of cis-3-hexenyl acetate (leaf acetate), covering its manufacturing processes and regulatory status, as well as its applications in the food, beverage, flavour, fragrance, cosmetics, and household industries. Also, please check out the introduction to cis-3-hexenyl acetate manufacturers, supply chain issues, cis-3-hexenyl acetate suppliers, and cis-3-hexenyl acetate prices. Sinofi can help you buy cis-3-hexenyl acetate at bulk wholesale prices based on FEMA 3171 and CAS 3681-71-8.
Table of Contents
What is Cis-3-Hexenyl Acetate?
Cis-3-hexenyl acetate, known commercially as leaf acetate, serves as one of the most widely deployed green notes in the flavour and fragrance industry. Its appeal rests on three factors: a universally recognized fresh-cut-grass and green-fruit odour, a broad natural occurrence that supports clean-label positioning, and high cost-effectiveness in its synthetic grade. It has an immediate, sharp green punch and does not release slowly, as heptyl acetate does. Cis-3-hexenyl acetate is the acetate ester of cis-3-hexenol (leaf alcohol). The (Z), or cis, configuration is essential; the (E), or trans, isomer possesses a markedly different and less desirable character. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), cis-3-hexenyl acetate is approved to be used in the flavour and fragrance industries.
Regulatory Status and Safety Considerations
Cis-3-Hexenyl acetate has been evaluated by major regulatory bodies like JECFA, EFSA, RIFM, ECHACHEM, NIST, IFRA and WHO. It holds FEMA GRAS status (FEMA 3171) and is approved for food use in major jurisdictions, including listing under the relevant United States and European Union flavouring regulations. For fragrance use, the material is covered by an IFRA-relevant safety assessment framework through RIFM, and current standards should always be verified against the latest IFRA amendment before finalizing a formula. As with any flammable, low-flash-point ester, standard handling precautions apply: storage in cool conditions, away from ignition sources, preferably under nitrogen and protected from light to preserve quality.
Sensory Profile
Cis-3-hexenyl acetate presents an intense, fresh, green odour strongly reminiscent of cut grass and banana leaf, with a fruity nuance often described as green banana, unripe apple, or pear skin. Compared with its parent alcohol, cis-3-hexenol, the acetate is sweeter, softer, and more fruity, with somewhat reduced pungency and a more diffusive lift. In taste applications, it contributes a juicy, leafy freshness at low parts-per-million levels, while excessive dosage rapidly turns the profile harsh, stemmy, and artificial.
From a volatility standpoint, the material behaves as a true top note. Its tenacity on a smelling strip is short, generally on the order of a few hours, which makes it ideal for delivering immediate impact in the headspace of a flavour or the opening of a fragrance.
Natural Occurrence
Cis-3-hexenyl acetate belongs to the family of so-called green leaf volatiles, which are produced enzymatically in plant tissue through the lipoxygenase pathway when leaves are damaged. It has been identified in a remarkably broad range of botanical sources, including green tea, mint, apples, strawberries, raspberries, kiwifruit, tomatoes, grapes, and numerous herbs. This ubiquity in nature explains both its high consumer familiarity and its versatility: the human nose associates the odour with freshness and ripeness cues across nearly every fruit and vegetable category.
CAS No.: 3681-71-8
According to the American Chemical Society, the CAS number of cis-3-hexenyl acetate is 3681-71-8.
CAS Name: Cis-3-Hexenyl Acetate
Molecular Formula: C8H14O2
Molecular Mass: 142.20
Appearance: Colorless to light yellow, clear liquid.
JECFA Number: 134
Food Chemicals Codex Listed: Yes
Boiling Point: 165.00 to 167.00 °C. @ 760.00 mm Hg
Solubility: Soluble in alcohol, ether; insoluble in water
Other Names:
♦ 3-Hexen-1-ol, acetate, (Z)-
♦ 3-Hexen-1-ol, acetate, (3Z)-
♦ cis-3-Hexenyl acetate
♦ (Z)-3-Hexenyl acetate
♦ (Z)-Hex-3-en-1-yl acetate
♦ cis-3-Hexenol acetate
♦ cis-Hex-3-en-1-yl acetate
♦ cis-3-Hexen-1-ol acetate
♦ Leaf acetate
Cis-3-Hexenyl Acetate Odor
Odor Strength: High, recommend smelling in a 10.00 % solution or less.
Substantivity: <4 hours at 100.00 %
Odor Description: At 10.00 % in dipropylene glycol. fresh green sweet fruity banana apple grassy.
FEMA Number 3171
According to the Flavour and Extract Manufacturers Association (FEMA), the FEMA number of cis-3-hexenyl acetate is 3171.
Bulk Cis-3-Hexenyl Acetate Manufacturers
The bulk production of cis-3-hexenyl acetate is well established, moderately growing, and structurally diverse. Top cis-3-hexenyl acetate manufacturers like Givaudan, Ernesto Ventos, NHU, Symrise, Firmenich and IFF either manufacture the compound directly or hold it as a captive ingredient within proprietary compounds. These organizations are distinguished by global manufacturing footprints, integrated research and development, sustainability programmes, and the ability to guarantee consistent, high-volume supply with full regulatory documentation.
Sinofi is a bulk manufacturer of cis-3-hexenyl acetate in China, and we have a 2,500-square-meter manufacturing facility for producing leaf acetate. We supply high-quality cis-3-hexenyl acetate at bulk prices and serve food, beverage, flavour, fragrance, cosmetics, and household industries worldwide.
Manufacturing Process of Cis-3-Hexenyl Acetate
The manufacture of cis-3-hexenyl acetate is, at its core, a study in stereochemical fidelity. The esterification chemistry that joins the acetyl group to leaf alcohol is well established and high-yielding, whether accomplished by Fischer esterification, acetic anhydride acetylation, or enzymatic catalysis.
Route A: Fischer Esterification with Acetic Acid
The most direct method is acid-catalysed (Fischer) esterification, in which cis-3-hexen-1-ol is heated with acetic acid in the presence of a catalytic mineral or organic acid, such as sulfuric acid or p-toluenesulfonic acid.
CH₃CH₂CH=CHCH₂CH₂OH + CH₃COOH ⇌ CH₃CH₂CH=CHCH₂CH₂OOCCH₃ + H₂O
This reaction is an equilibrium. To drive it toward the ester, one reagent (commonly acetic acid) is used in excess, and the water of reaction is removed continuously, often by azeotropic distillation with an entrainer or under reduced pressure. A practical caution applies: strong mineral acids and elevated temperatures can promote isomerisation of the cis double bond or acid-catalysed side reactions. Producers therefore favour milder acid catalysts, controlled temperatures, and the shortest practical reaction times consistent with acceptable conversion.
Route B: Acetylation with Acetic Anhydride
A faster and higher-yielding alternative employs acetic anhydride as the acetylating agent.
CH₃CH₂CH=CHCH₂CH₂OH + (CH₃CO)₂O → CH₃CH₂CH=CHCH₂CH₂OOCCH₃ + CH₃COOH
Because acetic anhydride is more reactive than acetic acid and the reaction is not equilibrium-limited in the same way, esterification proceeds rapidly and to high conversion, frequently under mild conditions and with only a catalytic base (such as pyridine or sodium acetate) or a mild acid catalyst. The principal by-product is acetic acid, which is readily removed during work-up. This route is often preferred where high yield and mild, isomerisation-sparing conditions are priorities, though it carries a higher raw-material cost than acetic acid.
Route C: Enzymatic (Lipase-Catalysed) Esterification for Natural Grades
When a product qualifying for “natural” labelling is required, esterification is performed biocatalytically. Immobilized lipases, such as Candida antarctica lipase B, catalyse the esterification of natural cis-3-hexen-1-ol with natural acetic acid, or its transesterification with a suitable natural acyl donor, under mild temperatures and near-neutral conditions. The advantages are considerable: the enzyme is highly selective, operates under conditions that do not promote double-bond isomerization, avoids strong acids, and supports a natural-origin claim where the substrate and reagents are themselves of natural origin. The trade-offs are higher cost, longer reaction times, and the need to maintain enzyme activity over repeated cycles. Natural-grade material consequently commands a substantial price premium over the synthetic, nature-identical product.
Bulk Cis-3-Hexenyl Acetate Suppliers
The bulk supply for cis-3-hexenyl acetate is broad and multi-tiered, spanning integrated flavour and fragrance houses, specialist aroma-chemical suppliers, regional manufacturers and exporters in China and Japan. Top cis-3-hexenyl acetate suppliers such as Givaudan, Ernesto Ventos, NHU, Symrise, Firmenich, and IFF can supply leaf acetate directly, typically to large accounts and often as part of broader ingredient-supply relationships. But they often prioritize their own finished compounds and large-volume contracts, which can make them less accessible to small and mid-sized buyers seeking modest quantities of a single chemical.
Sinofi is a bulk cis-3-hexenyl acetate supplier in China, and we have a warehouse with 1,200 square meters for high-quality leaf acetate. We sell different grades of cis-3-hexenyl acetate at wholesale prices, serving end-users in food, beverage, flavour, fragrance, cosmetics, and household industries.
Supply Chain of Cis-3-Hexenyl Acetate
The cis-3-hexenyl acetate supply chain is a compact but representative example of a modern specialty-chemical value chain. It runs from bifurcated synthetic and natural feedstock streams, through a pivotal leaf-alcohol intermediate, into a manufacturing tier spanning integrated houses.
Tier One: Upstream Raw Materials and Feedstocks
The supply chain originates in two parallel feedstock streams that reflect the synthetic-versus-natural divide running through the entire market.
The synthetic stream depends on petrochemical-derived building blocks. The carbon skeleton of the molecule is constructed using acetylene and ethylene oxide chemistry and chain-extending reagents, while the acetyl group is introduced using acetic acid or acetic anhydride.
The natural stream depends on agricultural and biotechnological inputs. Natural cis-3-hexen-1-ol may be obtained from sources such as mint oil or via biocatalytic routes, and it is esterified using natural acetic acid or acyl donors under lipase catalysis. This stream is more constrained by feedstock availability and cost, but it supplies the higher-value natural grade.
Tier Two: Midstream Manufacturing
The manufacturing tier converts the alcohol precursor into the finished acetate. It comprises overlapping participant types. This tier is where stereochemical quality, isomeric purity, and regulatory documentation are established.
Tier Three: Distribution and Trade
Between manufacturers and end users sits an intermediary tier that performs aggregation, repackaging, inventory holding, and market access. Global specialty-chemical distributors carry the product alongside broad aroma-chemical portfolios. Regional distributors and trading houses serve local markets and manage import and export logistics. This tier lowers transaction costs and improves availability, but it also introduces variability in documentation quality and grade assurance that buyers must manage.
Tier Four: Downstream End-Use Industries
The breadth of this downstream, spanning food, beverage, fragrance, cosmetics, and household sectors, lends the supply chain resilience, since demand is not concentrated in any single end market.
Wholesale and Buy Cis-3-Hexenyl Acetate in Bulk
Buying cis-3-hexenyl acetate in bulk is a manageable but multi-dimensional task. The decisive levers for leaf acetate buyers are precise specification, an informed understanding of price drivers, a disciplined sourcing and qualification process, well-negotiated commercial terms on a delivered-cost basis, robust quality and documentation controls, and a deliberate approach to supply resilience.
Define the Requirement Precisely
Sound purchasing begins with an unambiguous specification. Before approaching the market, the buyer should confirm the following with internal stakeholders, typically research and development, quality, and regulatory functions.
- The first consideration is grade. The market divides into a synthetic (nature-identical) grade and a higher-priced natural grade that qualifies for natural-flavouring declarations. The intended application and any clean-label claims determine which grade is required, and this single decision has the largest effect on price.
- The second is purity and specification. Commercial bulk material is commonly offeredabove 98% or higher, with cis-isomer content being the decisive quality parameter. The buyer should also confirm acceptable limits for residual cis-3-hexenol, acetic acid, colour, and peroxide value, and obtain the full target specification in writing.
- The third is volume and cadence. Annual demand, order frequency, and the degree of demand certainty shape whether the buyer pursues spot purchases, a blanket order with scheduled releases, or a fixed-term contract. Larger committed volumes generally unlock better pricing.
- The fourth is regulatory scope. The buyer must confirm the documentation the business requires, including FEMA GRAS status (FEMA 3171), applicable food-use approvals, IFRA conformity for fragrance use, safety data, and allergen declarations.
Understand the Price Drivers
Bulk pricing is shaped by a consistent set of factors; cis-3-hexenyl acetate buyers should benchmark quotations intelligently rather than simply selecting the lowest headline figure. The principal drivers are grade (natural commands a substantial premium over synthetic), isomeric purity, order volume, packaging format, supplier tier and geography, and prevailing feedstock and freight costs. Material sourced from regional manufacturer-exporters in Asia typically occupies the lower end of the price range, while natural-grade and Western-specialist material sits considerably higher. Because the molecule is a relatively small-volume specialty chemical, published prices are indicative only. Firm pricing is established by quotation against a defined grade, volume, and delivery term.
As a bulk cis-3-hexenyl acetate manufacturer and supplier in China, we wholesale this ingredient to end users in food, beverage, flavour, fragrance, cosmetics, and household industries. We also supply leaf acetate to small customers. Normally, they want to buy cis-3-hexenyl acetate in small quantities. To serve them, we can sell cis-3-hexenyl acetate at bulk prices and provide a one-stop purchasing service.
Cis-3-Hexenyl Acetate Prices (USD/Kg)
Flavour Grade Cis-3-Hexenyl Acetate Prices (GC Content >=98.0%)
| Volume | Unit Price | Shipment |
| 50g | 20 USD | Express |
| 500g | 90 USD | Express |
| 1Kg | 130 USD/Kg | Express |
| 25Kg | >=25% cheaper | Express |
| 100Kg-Above | negotiable | Express / Sea |
Cis-3-hexenyl acetate prices in North America and Europe have stabilized in 2025 and 2026 at far lower levels than the extreme peaks of 2021 and 2022, but remain structurally above pre-pandemic norms. Bulk synthetic material at 98% purity trades in the broad range of roughly USD 70 to USD 130 per kilogram when purchased through Western distribution channels and at FCC or fragrance grade. Some Chinese factory FOB offers are materially lower, at approximately USD 8-15 per kilogram in drum quantities. This price is merely bait to lure buyers to inquire, as it is lower than the bulk purchase price of the raw material, cis-3-hexenol. Natural-grade cis-3-hexenyl acetate (≥96%) commands a substantial premium, trading at USD 1000-1200 per kilogram.
Furthermore, the above price quotations of cis-3-hexenyl acetate do not include the express shipping fee. The reason is that the shipment cost may exceed the sample value of leaf acetate. However, the bulk wholesale prices of cis-3-hexenyl acetate will be much lower than those of small orders. Please contact us for more details.
Cis-3-Hexenyl Acetate Specification
| Appearance | Colorless to light yellow, clear liquid. |
| Odor: | Fresh green sweet fruity banana, apple, and grassy. |
| Purity (GC) | >=98.0% |
| Acid Value (mg KOH/g) | <=1.0 |
| Refractive Index (20°C) | 1.4250 – 1.4290 |
| Specific Gravity (at 25℃/25℃) | 0.896 – 0.901 |
Cis-3-Hexenyl Acetate Uses
Cis-3-hexenyl acetate is, in effect, the aroma industry’s standard expression of “fresh green.” Its uses span the flavouring of fruit, mint, tea, and vegetable products and the construction of green, floral, and fresh accords in fine and functional perfumery.
Use in Flavours
The flavour industry is one of the two largest consumers of leaf acetate. Its value lies in supplying the “just-picked,” green freshness that distinguishes a convincing natural flavour from a flat or confected one. It is effective at very low concentrations, typically in the low parts-per-million range, and is used across several flavour categories.
Fruit flavours: The material is nearly indispensable in apple, pear, strawberry, raspberry, kiwi, banana, melon, grape, and many other fruit profiles, where it contributes a green, freshly harvested top note that lends realism and lift. It is widely used in beverages, juices, confectionery, and dairy products such as fruit yoghurts.
Mint flavours: In peppermint and spearmint compounds, they add a fresh-leaf naturalness and round the overall profile, a property particularly valued in chewing gum, confectionery, and oral-care flavouring.
Tea and green-vegetable flavours: It is an important contributor to green-tea character and supports tomato, cucumber, and salad-green effects, where a leafy, vegetal freshness is desired.
Across these applications, the material serves primarily as a top note, delivering immediate impact to the aroma of a beverage or food. Because it pairs naturally with its parent alcohol, cis-3-hexenol, and with aldehydes such as hexanal and trans-2-hexenal, flavourists can tune the green effect from sharp and grassy to soft and fruity.
Use in Fragrances
The fragrance industry is the other major consumer. In perfumery, leaf acetate delivers a natural, dewy freshness to the top notes of a composition.
Fine fragrance. It is widely employed in green, floral, fruity, and fougère accords, and is a classic component of muguet (lily-of-the-valley), violet-leaf, and galbanum-type constructions, where it imparts the impression of fresh foliage and green stems. Even a trace can lend a juicy, living quality to floral and fruity creations.
Functional and consumer fragrance. Beyond fine fragrance, the material is used in large volumes in functional perfumery, where an immediate “clean and fresh” impression is commercially decisive. Applications include fabric care (detergents, fabric softeners), air care (air fresheners and sprays), household cleaners, and personal-care products such as shampoos, body washes, soaps, and lotions. In these products, it conveys cleanliness, nature, and freshness to the consumer.
Use in Cosmetics and Personal Care
In addition to its role as a fragrance ingredient, the material is used to scent cosmetic and personal-care formulations, contributing fresh, green, natural top notes that enhance the sensory appeal of creams, lotions, and washes. Its familiar fresh-cut-grass character supports the natural and invigorating positioning that many such products seek to convey.
Use as a Semiochemical in Agriculture
Cis-3-hexenyl acetate belongs to the family of green leaf volatiles, compounds released by plants when their tissue is damaged. This natural signalling role gives the molecule applications beyond flavour and fragrance. It is studied and used as a semiochemical in integrated pest management, where green leaf volatiles can function as components of attractant blends in insect monitoring and trapping, and where they are investigated for their role in priming plant defences and influencing the behaviour of both pest insects and their natural predators. These uses are more specialised and lower in volume than the flavour and fragrance applications, but they represent a distinct and growing area of interest.
A Note on Dosage and Handling
Because the material is so powerful, it is almost always used at low levels and frequently handled as a dilution (for example, at 1 or 10 per cent) in flavour and fragrance work. Overdosing rapidly turns the profile harsh, stemmy, and artificial, so careful control of concentration is essential to achieving the desired natural effect.
Cis-3-Hexenyl Acetate Benefits
The benefits of leaf acetate stem from a rare convergence of qualities: an intense, natural, and universally appealing green odour; high efficiency and versatility in formulation; favourable cost-in-use; strong clean-label and natural-positioning potential; and broad regulatory acceptance.
Sensory and Organoleptic Benefits
The foremost benefit of leaf acetate is the quality of its odour. It delivers an exceptionally true-to-nature green character that communicates freshness immediately and convincingly. Compared with its parent alcohol, the acetate is softer, sweeter, and more fruity, with a diffusive lift that brings brightness to the opening of a flavour or fragrance. Because the odour is so readily recognised and positively associated with ripeness and vitality, it reliably evokes the impression of natural, just-harvested freshness across an enormous range of products. For a formulator, this means the material can transform a flat or confected composition into one that reads as alive and natural.
Technical and Formulation Benefits
Several technical properties make the material highly efficient and flexible to work with.
Potency at low dosage. The odour is intense, so very small quantities, often in the low parts-per-million range, achieve the desired effect. This makes the material economical in use and minimises any impact on the bulk properties of a formulation.
Top-note performance. As a volatile material, it functions as a top note, providing the immediate, perceptible freshness that shapes a consumer’s first impression of a product.
Versatility and blendability. It performs across sweet fruit flavours, fresh floral accords, and clean functional-product fragrances alike, and it blends naturally with related materials such as cis-3-hexenol, hexanal, and trans-2-hexenal. By balancing acetate with these companions, a formulator can tune the green effect across a spectrum from sharp and grassy to soft and fruity, providing considerable creative control.
Clean-Label and Natural-Positioning Benefits
Cis-3-hexenyl acetate occurs naturally in a broad range of plants, including apples, strawberries, kiwifruit, tomatoes, grapes, green tea, mint, and many herbs. This natural occurrence underpins consumer familiarity with its aroma and, importantly, supports clean-label positioning when a natural grade is used. The natural grade, produced by enzymatic esterification of natural leaf alcohol, can qualify for natural-flavouring declarations in relevant jurisdictions, allowing manufacturers to meet rising consumer demand for natural and recognizable ingredients.
Cis-3-Hexenyl Acetate in E-Liquid and Vaping Products
Cis-3-hexenyl acetate is a valuable and well-established flavour and fragrance ingredient whose fresh green character explains its appeal to formulators of fruit-flavoured products, including some e-liquids. Yet its established safety approvals rest entirely on ingestion.
Role in E-Liquid Formulation
Flavoured e-liquids typically consist of a base of propylene glycol and vegetable glycerine, often with nicotine, to which flavouring chemicals are added to create fruit, dessert, menthol, and other profiles. Green and fruity aroma chemicals are attractive to formulators of fruit-flavoured products because of the natural, fresh character they convey. Leaf acetate is recognised as a prototype green-note material, valued for producing fruity-green effects and, at low levels, a banana-like nuance, and it is widely identified in natural fruit aromas and green tea. These same attributes that make it useful in food and perfumery are what have drawn it, and chemically related esters and alcohols, into some flavoured vaping formulations.
Regulatory Status
The regulatory environment reflects this uncertainty. In the United States, e-cigarettes and e-liquids are regulated by the United States Food and Drug Administration’s Premarket Tobacco Product Application (PMTA) as tobacco products, and manufacturers must obtain marketing authorization through the premarket tobacco product application process. The European Union regulates such products under the European Union’s Tobacco Products Directive (TPD). The regulatory position continues to evolve and varies considerably by country, so current local rules should always be consulted.
A Strawberry Flavour Essence Using Cis-3-Hexenyl Acetate
Include the following ingredients (by weight, %):
Ethyl acetate, 1; Ethyl propionate, 0.0015; Ethyl isobutyrate, 0.0015; Ethyl butyrate, 4; Butyl acetate, 1; Ethyl valerate, 0.006; Methyl thiobutyrate, 0.04; Benzaldehyde, 0.0015; Glacial acetic acid, 0.007; Hexanoic acid, 0.0013; Diethyl acetal, 0.006; Propionaldehyde, 0.003; Cis-3-Hexenol, 2.5; Hexanol, 0.007; Cis-3-hexenyl acetate, 0.03; Hexyl acetate, 0 .3; Linalool oxide, 0.007; Linalool, 0.1; Cis-3-hexenyl lactate, 0.02; Methyl dihydrojasmonate, 0.03; Ethyl hexanoate, 0.5; Ethyl heptanoate, 0.05; Furanone, 1.5; Maltol, 0.3; Ethyl maltol, 0.2; Methyl cinnamate, 0.5; Propyl decalactone, 0.6; n-Butanol, 0.05; Ethyl acetoacetate (food grade), 0.03; Propylene glycol (pharmaceutical grade), 87.4582.
In conclusion, cis-3-hexenyl acetate is a medium-chain aliphatic ester valued across the food, beverage, flavour, fragrance, cosmetics, and household industries. As a bulk manufacturer and supplier of cis-3-hexenyl acetate in China, we sell various grades of leaf acetate at wholesale prices to clients worldwide.