3-Hexenol

3-Hexenol, particularly the cis-isomer, is the constituent responsible for the defining 'fresh green leaf' note in perfumery. It occurs at low levels in a few essential oils.

Skin. Applied undiluted to rabbit skin for 24 hours, it was non-irritating. A 4 percent patch test on 25 volunteers produced neither irritation nor sensitization.

Oral and dermal. Acute oral LD50 in rats is 4.7 g/kg. Acute dermal LD50 in rabbits exceeds 5 g/kg.

Subchronic. A 90-day dietary study at 310, 1,250 and 5,000 ppm. No effects at the lower two levels. At 5,000 ppm relative kidney weight increased in male rats and urine was more concentrated.

3-Hexenol is the classical perfumery ingredient for 'freshly-cut leaf' notes. Most industrial use is synthetic.