Cinnamic acid is used in flavorings, synthetic indigo, and certain pharmaceuticals. A major use is as a precursor to produce methyl cinnamate, ethyl cinnamate, and benzyl cinnamate for the perfume industry. Cinnamic acid is a precursor to the sweetener aspartame via enzyme-catalysed amination to give phenylalanine.
Cinnamic acid is a white crystalline acid with a molecular formula C9H8O2. It is a crystalline compound that is white in colour and is slightly soluble in water Cinnamic Acid Properties.
trans-Cinnamic acid is used in the manufacture of flavors, dyes, and pharmaceuticals; but its major use is for the production of its methyl, ethyl, and benzyl esters. These esters are important components of perfumes. The acid is also a precursor to the sweetener aspartame.
It is obtained from oil of cinnamon, or from balsams such as storax. It is also found in shea butter. Cinnamic acid has a honey-like odor; it and its more volatile ethyl ester (ethyl cinnamate) are flavor components in the essential oil of cinnamon, in which related cinnamaldehyde is the major constituent
