cinnamic aldehyde: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low/Very LowTechnical/Scientific
Quick answer
What does “cinnamic aldehyde” mean?
A chemical compound (C9H8O) that is the principal aromatic constituent of cinnamon oil, used as a flavoring agent and in perfumery.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A chemical compound (C9H8O) that is the principal aromatic constituent of cinnamon oil, used as a flavoring agent and in perfumery.
Specifically, an organic compound of the aldehyde class, with the systematic name (E)-3-phenylprop-2-enal, notable for its characteristic cinnamon scent and its role as a precursor in the synthesis of other chemicals.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical or grammatical differences. Both variants use the same term.
Connotations
None beyond its technical meaning.
Frequency
Equally rare in general discourse in both regions. Exclusive to scientific/industrial contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “cinnamic aldehyde” in a Sentence
The [substance/compound] contains cinnamic aldehyde.Cinnamic aldehyde is synthesized from [precursor].Cinnamic aldehyde gives [product] its characteristic scent.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cinnamic aldehyde” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The cinnamic aldehyde solution was carefully titrated.
- A distinct cinnamic aldehyde odour emanated from the flask.
American English
- The cinnamic aldehyde compound was analyzed via GC-MS.
- A strong cinnamic aldehyde aroma was noted in the sample.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in the flavor and fragrance industry in supply chain, product specification, and quality control documents.
Academic
Used in chemistry, biochemistry, and food science research papers, textbooks, and laboratory protocols.
Everyday
Virtually never used. A person might refer to 'cinnamon flavor' or 'cinnamon scent' instead.
Technical
Used in chemical analysis, organic synthesis procedures, material safety data sheets (MSDS), and perfumery formulations.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “cinnamic aldehyde”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cinnamic aldehyde”
- Mispronouncing 'cinnamic' with a hard 'c' (/k/); the 'c' is soft (/s/).
- Confusing it with 'cinnamic acid', a related but different compound.
- Using 'cinnamic aldehyde' in everyday conversation instead of simply saying 'cinnamon flavoring'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In the low concentrations used for flavoring in foods and beverages, it is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by regulatory bodies. Pure cinnamic aldehyde can be an irritant.
Cinnamon oil is a natural essential oil containing cinnamic aldehyde as its major component (typically 60-90%), along with other compounds. Cinnamic aldehyde refers to the specific, isolated chemical.
Not as a pure chemical. You will find it as an ingredient listed on labels of some flavored foods, gums, or toothpastes, often under the name 'cinnamaldehyde'.
It belongs to the aldehyde class of organic compounds because its molecular structure contains a carbonyl group (C=O) bonded to a hydrogen atom and a carbon chain, specifically a formyl group (-CHO).
A chemical compound (C9H8O) that is the principal aromatic constituent of cinnamon oil, used as a flavoring agent and in perfumery.
Cinnamic aldehyde is usually technical/scientific in register.
Cinnamic aldehyde: in British English it is pronounced /sɪˌnamɪk ˈældɪhʌɪd/, and in American English it is pronounced /səˌnæmɪk ˈældəˌhaɪd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine CINNAmon making you say 'MIC!' in surprise, and then ALDEHYDE sounds like 'I'LL DIE HYDE' (like Mr. Hyde). 'CINNA-MIC, I'LL-DIE-HYDE' links to the chemical name from cinnamon.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOURCE (cinnamon) + PROPERTY (chemical class). The name is a compound that directly describes the source (cinnamic from cinnamon) and the functional group (aldehyde).
Practice
Quiz
In which industry is cinnamic aldehyde most commonly used?