Vanillin typically appears as white or milky-white needle-shaped crystals, or as a white to slightly yellow crystalline powder. It carries a sweet, creamy, and vanilla-like fragrance with a pleasant aroma. Sensitive to air, light, and moisture, it gradually oxidizes when exposed to humid conditions and is affected by light.
Vanillin Chemical Properties
| Melting point | 81-83 °C(lit.) |
| Boiling point | 170 °C15 mm Hg(lit.) |
| Density | 1.06 |
| Bulk density | 600kg/m3 |
| Vapor density | 5.3 (vs air) |
| Vapor pressure | >0.01 mm Hg ( 25 °C) |
| Refractive index | 1.4850 (estimate) |
| FEMA | 3107 | VANILLIN |
| Fp | 147 °C |
| Storage temp | 2-8°C |
| Solubility | Methanol: 0.1 g/mL, clear |
| Pka | PKa 7.396±0.004(H2O I = 0.00 t = 25.0±1.0) (Reliable) |
| Form | Crystalline Powder |
| Color | White to pale yellow |
| PH | 4.3 (10g/l, H2O, 20℃) |
| Odor | At 100.00 %. vanilla |
| Odor Type | Vanilla |
| Biological source | Synthetic |
| Water Solubility | 10 g/L (25 ºC) |
| Sensitive | Air & Light Sensitive |
| JECFA Number | 889 |
| Merck | 14,9932 |
| BRN | 472792 |
| Stability | Stable. May discolour on exposure to light. Moisture-sensitive. Incompatible with strong oxidizing agents, perchloric acid. |
| LogP | 1.17 at 25℃ |
| CAS DataBase Reference | 121-33-5(CAS DataBase Reference) |
| NIST Chemistry Reference | Benzaldehyde, 4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-(121-33-5) |
| EPA Substance Registry System | Vanillin (121-33-5) |
It is used to produce incense powder and bean-like aromatic spices, often serving as a component in fragrance bases. It finds broad application in nearly all types of scents, especially blends such as violet, cymbidium, sunflower, and oriental fragrances. When combined with piperonal, isoeugenol benzyl ether, coumarin, musk, and other ingredients, it acts as a fixative, modifier, and blending agent, and can also be used to mask unpleasant odors.
