Aldehyde C16 (Strawberry Glycidate)

✦ Intensely sweet jammy strawberry note — one of the most iconic fruity aroma chemicals in perfumery
✦ Technically a glycidic ester, not a true aldehyde — delivers a rounder and more confectionery-like fruitiness
✦ Used at very low dosages (0.1–1%) due to high olfactive impact — economical for formulators
✦ Core material in strawberry accords, gourmand perfumes, and fruity-floral compositions
✦ Blends seamlessly with rose, violet, musks, tonka, and vanilla for signature sweet-fruity profiles
✦ Suitable for alcoholic perfumery, reed diffusers, candles, and select leave-on cosmetics
✦ 100% synthetic origin — vegan and animal-free

Aldehyde C-16, known commercially as Strawberry Glycidate or Strawberry Aldehyde, is a synthetic aroma chemical that has been a fundamental building block in the fragrance and flavour industries since the early twentieth century. Its chemical name, Ethyl Methylphenylglycidate, reflects its structure as a glycidic acid ester rather than a conventional aldehyde, though the trade name has remained in use by convention across generations of perfumers and flavourists. It rose to prominence as a reliable, consistent alternative to natural strawberry extracts, which are notoriously difficult to capture authentically in fragrance form.

What sets Aldehyde C-16 apart is its remarkably vivid and concentrated strawberry-jam character, which is both instantly recognisable and highly versatile at low usage levels. Its diffusive top-to-middle note profile allows it to provide immediate olfactive impact while contributing lasting sweetness to the heart of a composition. Unlike many fruity synthetics that read as generic or one-dimensional, Strawberry Glycidate carries a subtle floral and slightly green undertone that gives it naturalistic complexity when blended thoughtfully with complementary materials.

Rabibazaar supplies cosmetic-grade Aldehyde C-16 suitable for DIY perfumers, attar artisans, candle makers, and beauty formulators seeking a premium fruity building block for their creative projects.

SCENT DESCRIPTION : Aldehyde C-16 opens with a burst of intensely sweet, ripe strawberry that closely evokes freshly crushed strawberry jam rather than fresh fruit. The character is lush, candied, and slightly floral, with a soft greenish undertone that prevents it from reading as purely synthetic. At diffused concentrations it creates a warm, confectionery-like sweetness that lingers pleasantly in the mid-dry-down.

NOTE POSITION : Top–Mid

FRAGRANCE FAMILY : Fruity · Gourmand · Floral Fruity

FACETS : Strawberry · Jammy · Candied · Floral · Confectionery

TENACITY : Medium — approximately 4 to 6 hours on skin at standard usage rates

SILLAGE : Medium — projects noticeably in the opening phase and settles to a close but persistent sweetness

FIELD 4 — Technical Specifications

Chemical Name : Ethyl Methylphenylglycidate (Ethyl 3-Methyl-3-Phenylglycidate)
CAS Number : 77-83-8
Synonyms : Strawberry Glycidate, Strawberry Aldehyde, Aldehyde C-16, EMPG, Fragrant Aldehyde C-16
Purity : 98% minimum (verify with supplier CoA)
Appearance : Colourless to very pale yellow clear liquid
Odor Threshold : Approximately 0.001–0.01 ppm (extremely low — highly potent)
Solubility : Insoluble in water. Freely soluble in ethanol, IPM, and fragrance oils
Specific Gravity : 1.070 – 1.090 at 20°C
Flash Point : Approximately 93°C (199°F)
Type : Synthetic

Chemical Name : Ethyl 3-methyl-3-phenyloxirane-2-carboxylate
(Ethyl 2,3-epoxy-3-phenylbutyrate)
CAS Number : 77-83-8
FEMA Number : 2444
Trade Names : Fraise Pure, Aldéhyde Fraise, Fraisal Pure,
Strawberry Aldehyde, Bayberry Aldehyde, Aldehyde C-16
Synonyms : Ethyl Methylphenylglycidate, Strawberry Glycidate,
Ethyl 3-Methyl-3-phenylglycidate
Functional Groups: Ester + Epoxide — NOT an aldehyde
Molecular Formula: C12H14O3
Molecular Weight : 206.24 g/mol
Stereoisomers : 4 — (S,S), (R,R), (S,R), (R,S) — commercial = mixture
Purity : ≥ 98% mixture of cis and trans isomers
Appearance : Colorless to pale yellow liquid
Synthesis : Darzens condensation — acetophenone + ethyl
monochloroacetate in alkaline solution
Solubility : Soluble in alcohol and most fragrance/flavor oils —
poorly soluble in PG, glycerin, and mineral oil
Natural Source : Not found in nature in any significant quantity
IFRA Status : No restriction — unrestricted all categories
EU Allergen : Not listed — no mandatory declaration required
FEMA GRAS : Yes — 2444 — up to 470 ppm in flavor concentrate
Max in compound : Up to 15% of fragrance concentrate (Perfumer's Apprentice)
Average use : 0.95% in perfume compound (Fraterworks industry data)

Fine Fragrance ★★★★★
Aldehyde C-16 is a cornerstone material in fruity and gourmand fine fragrance. It delivers immediate strawberry impact in the opening and supports the heart with sweet confectionery warmth. Use at 0.2–0.8% in EDP for a well-rounded fruity effect without overpowering the composition.

Attar & Oriental Blending ★★★★☆
In oil-based attar work, Strawberry Glycidate adds an unexpected and modern fruity-sweet dimension to oriental woody bases. It pairs beautifully with oud, sandalwood, and rose absolute to create contemporary gourmand attars. Use sparingly at 0.1–0.3% to complement rather than dominate.

Functional Fragrance ★★★☆☆
Suitable for use in body lotions, shower gels, and hair care products at low concentrations where fruity top notes are desired. Performance may vary depending on formulation pH and base chemistry. Always conduct stability testing before finalising usage rates in rinse-off or leave-on products.

Home Fragrance ★★★★☆
Performs well in reed diffusers and wax melts where its high diffusivity translates into strong initial throw. In candles, use rates should be tested carefully as performance depends on wax type and wick selection. Recommended at 0.5–2% in diffuser bases for a vivid strawberry room scent.

Cosmetics & Personal Care ★★★☆☆
Can be incorporated into lip-safe formulations, body mists, and scented creams where fruity-sweet character is desired. Use at the lowest effective concentration and comply with IFRA guidelines. Skin sensitisation data should be reviewed before leave-on applications at elevated rates.

RECOMMENDED USAGE RATES

Application : Suggested Rate
EDP : 0.3 – 0.8%
EDT : 0.2 – 0.5%
Body Lotion : 0.05 – 0.2%
Shampoo/Body Wash : 0.05 – 0.15%
Candle : 0.2 – 0.5% (test with wax type)
Reed Diffuser : 0.5 – 2.0%
Soap (Melt & Pour) : 0.1 – 0.3%

IFRA 51ST AMENDMENT GUIDANCE

Ethyl Methylphenylglycidate (CAS 77-83-8) is not listed as a specifically restricted material in the IFRA 51st Amendment at the time of writing. However, usage rates should remain within the ranges above as a precautionary measure.

⚠️ Always verify current IFRA status with your supplier's Safety Data Sheet and the official IFRA website before formulating for commercial sale.
⚠️ This material has a very low odour threshold. Overdosing results in an overwhelmingly synthetic and cloying character — start at 0.1% and titrate upward.
⚠️ Not suitable for direct ingestion. This is a fragrance material only — not a food flavouring grade product.

USAGE METHOD 1 — DILUTION BEFORE USE
Aldehyde C-16 is extremely potent and should be pre-diluted to a 10% solution in dipropylene glycol (DPG) or isopropyl myristate before incorporation into a blend. Working with a diluted form gives far greater control over dosing and avoids accidental over-use which is very easy at neat concentration.

USAGE METHOD 2 — ACCORD BUILDING
Build a strawberry accord base using Aldehyde C-16 as the anchor alongside Methyl Anthranilate for a grape-adjacent fruitiness and Rose Oxide at trace levels for a floral lift. This three-component base can then be used as a pre-made fruity heart note block in multiple formulations.

USAGE METHOD 3 — GOURMAND LAYERING
In gourmand and dessert-style perfumes, layer Aldehyde C-16 over a base of Ethyl Vanillin, Tonka Absolute, and Musk Galaxolide for a strawberry shortcake effect. The glycidate provides the jammy fruit top while the base materials deliver warmth and longevity.

BEST PAIRINGS

Rose Absolute or Rose Otto → Creates a classic strawberry-rose floral accord
Ethyl Vanillin → Adds custard-like sweetness for a dessert gourmand
Hedione / Dihydrojasmone → Brightens and aerates the fruity accord
Coumarin → Adds a warm almond-hay background to the sweetness
Iso E Super → Provides diffusivity and a woody lift to anchor the fruit
Musk Galaxolide → Extends the fruity sweetness and adds softness
Violet Leaf Absolute → Adds a green-earthy contrast that naturalises the blend

AVOID
Avoid combining at high rates with other intensely sweet materials such as Ethyl Maltol or Furaneol without careful calibration — the cumulative sweetness can become cloying and one-dimensional.

Working with Aldehyde C-16 has taught me one essential lesson: restraint is everything. This is perhaps the most deceptive material in the palette because it smells approachable and familiar straight from the bottle, yet it has a way of dominating every blend it enters when used even slightly above its optimal range. I treat it the way a chef treats truffle oil — a few drops elevate the entire composition, but one drop too many and that is all anyone can smell. At the right level, it does something genuinely beautiful: it makes rose smell like a rose garden after someone has been eating strawberries nearby. There is a human, lived-in warmth to it that purely floral or purely fruity materials rarely achieve on their own.

ADVANCED TIP — If you want a more natural and nuanced strawberry note in your accord, try combining Aldehyde C-16 at 0.1% with a small amount of cis-3-Hexenol (green leaf alcohol) at 0.02% and Linalool at 0.3%. The green-herbal freshness of the hexenol mimics the leafy cap of a fresh strawberry while the linalool provides a gentle floral bridge. This three-part combination reads far more convincingly as a fresh strawberry rather than a cooked jam note and works beautifully in fresh floral-fruity constructions.

Physical State : Liquid at room temperature
Skin Safety : Can cause sensitisation at elevated concentrations. Always use within recommended rates and conduct patch testing for leave-on formulations
Eye Contact : Irritant. Avoid contact. Rinse immediately with copious water if contact occurs and seek medical advice
Ingestion : Not for consumption. This is a fragrance-grade material only. If ingested seek immediate medical attention
Ventilation : Use in a well-ventilated workspace. Avoid prolonged inhalation of vapours at undiluted concentration
Storage : Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat sources. Keep tightly sealed when not in use
Shelf Life : Approximately 24–36 months from date of manufacture when stored correctly
Container : Store in original dark glass or HDPE container. Avoid prolonged storage in standard PET plastic
Flammability : Combustible liquid. Flash point approximately 93°C. Keep away from open flames and ignition sources

Q: What does Aldehyde C-16 smell like?
A: It smells intensely of sweet strawberry jam with a slight floral and confectionery undertone. It is rich, ripe, and candied rather than fresh or green.

Q: Why is it called an aldehyde if it is actually a glycidate ester?
A: The name Aldehyde C-16 is a historical trade convention used in the fragrance industry and does not reflect its true chemical classification. Chemically it is Ethyl Methylphenylglycidate — a glycidic acid ester. The name has simply persisted across decades of industry use.

Q: How much should I use in a perfume?
A: Start with 0.1% in your blend and evaluate on paper and skin before increasing. Most effective blends use between 0.2% and 0.5% in EDP. Pre-dilute to 10% in DPG for easier and more accurate dosing.

Q: Is it safe for use in skin care products and soaps?
A: At low concentrations and within IFRA-aligned rates it can be used in rinse-off and some leave-on products. Always conduct stability and safety testing. It is not recommended for use near the eye area or in undiluted form on skin.

Q: How does Aldehyde C-16 compare to using a natural strawberry extract?
A: Natural strawberry extracts for fragrance use are rare, expensive, and notoriously difficult to work with as they lack the defining fruity-jammy volatiles present in actual strawberries. Aldehyde C-16 is actually far more effective at producing a recognisable strawberry character in fragrance compositions. It is considered the industry standard for this note and has no practical natural equivalent in perfumery at this time.

Professional formulation workflow

Aldehyde C16 (Strawberry Glycidate) should be evaluated in a controlled small batch before production. Confirm the supplied grade, active concentration and recommended application range from the current supplier documentation. Weigh accurately instead of measuring by drops, record every adjustment, and compare the modified trial against an unchanged control.

Compatibility and quality checks

Test the ingredient in the actual alcohol, oil, surfactant, emulsion or wax base intended for sale. Observe clarity, separation, color, odor and performance immediately after mixing and again after a suitable resting period. A material that looks stable in a concentrate can behave differently in the finished formulation.

Scale-up and safety

Convert percentages into exact batch weights and verify the final consumer-product concentration before scaling. Follow the latest applicable IFRA, cosmetic, chemical and supplier safety documentation for the intended category. Use appropriate protective equipment, ventilation and clearly labeled containers, and retain a sample from every approved batch for quality comparison.