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Ethyl Butyrate

€7.90

SYNTHETIC INGREDIENT FOR PERFUMERY

Ethyl Butyrate (CAS 105-54-4) is a highly diffusive fruity ester known for its intense pineapple and banana character with juicy, ethereal sweetness. A key top-note material in fruity and tropical accords, it imparts freshness, brightness, and realistic ripeness to compositions.

Due to its volatility and radiance, it’s widely used in fine fragrance, functional perfumery, and flavor applications, delivering instant lift and natural fruity diffusion.

SYNTHETIC INGREDIENT FOR PERFUMERY

Ethyl Butyrate (CAS 105-54-4) is a highly diffusive fruity ester known for its intense pineapple and banana character with juicy, ethereal sweetness. A key top-note material in fruity and tropical accords, it imparts freshness, brightness, and realistic ripeness to compositions.

Due to its volatility and radiance, it’s widely used in fine fragrance, functional perfumery, and flavor applications, delivering instant lift and natural fruity diffusion.

Ethyl Butyrate (CAS 105-54-4) Technical Ingredient Overview

  • 🔎 Chemical Name — Ethyl butanoate (IUPAC)

  • 🧪 Synonyms — Butyric acid ethyl ester, Ethyl butyrate, Butyric ether, Butter ether, Ethyl n-butanoate, Butanoic acid ethyl ester

  • 📂 CAS Number — 105-54-4

  • 📘 FEMA Number — 2427

  • ⚖️ Molecular Weight — 116.16 g/mol

  • 📝 Odor Type — Fruity-ethereal ester

  • 📈 Odor Strength — Very high; powerful and extremely diffusive

  • 👃🏼 Odor Profile — Intensely sweet pineapple-banana with ethereal lift, juicy tutti-frutti character, subtle apple-pear nuances, and slight sour-buttery undertone providing naturalistic ripening effects

  • ⚗️ Uses — Flavor enhancer in food and beverages (particularly orange juice, tropical fruit flavors), fragrance modifier in perfumery, solvent in perfumery products, plasticizer for cellulose, ingredient in alcoholic beverage formulations

  • 🧴 Appearance — Colorless to pale yellow clear liquid with characteristic fruity odor

What is Ethyl Butyrate?

Ethyl butyrate (ethyl butanoate) is a short-chain aliphatic ester belonging to the butyrate family of flavor and fragrance compounds. This butyrate ester results from the formal condensation of the hydroxy group of ethanol with the carboxy group of butyric acid, functioning as a plant metabolite (Chemical Book, n.d.). As one of the most economically significant and widely utilized aroma chemicals in both flavor and fragrance industries, ethyl butyrate delivers an immediately recognizable pineapple-fruit character that has become synonymous with tropical fruit formulations.

The compound exhibits exceptional volatility and diffusion properties, making it an indispensable tool for perfumers seeking to create sparkling top notes and enhance the freshness of complex compositions. Its presence has been identified in numerous fruits including apple, banana, citrus peel oils and juices, cranberry, blueberry, black currants, guava, grapes, papaya, and strawberry (Chemical Book, n.d.), as well as in aged alcoholic beverages such as cognac, rum, whiskey, and wine.

Historical Background

While precise discovery dates for ethyl butyrate remain undocumented in accessible historical records (so far), the compound's synthesis and characterization emerged during the 19th century as part of systematic investigations into ester chemistry. The esterification reaction between butyric acid and ethanol—first explored by organic chemists studying carboxylic acid derivatives—became the standard synthetic route that remains in commercial use today.

Early research in pineapple aroma reconstitution pinpointed esters such as ethyl butyrate and amyl butyrate as major contributors to the fruit's characteristic profile, establishing these compounds as cornerstones of synthetic pineapple formulations in both flavor and fragrance industries (Scentspiracy, 2025). Historically, pineapple accords relied heavily on ethyl butyrate at concentrations sometimes exceeding 50% of the total blend, demonstrating the ingredient's central role in tropical fruit replication.

The industrial production and widespread adoption of ethyl butyrate accelerated throughout the 20th century as synthetic flavor chemistry matured. In industrial use, ethyl butyrate became one of the cheapest chemicals available, which significantly contributed to its popularity (Chemical Book, n.d.), enabling its incorporation into mass-market consumer products ranging from beverages to household fragrances.

The compound's identification as a naturally occurring constituent in numerous food sources eventually led to its recognition and approval by international food safety organizations, including FEMA (Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association) which assigned it FEMA number 2427, and JECFA (Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives) with JECFA number 29.

Olfactory Profile

Scent Family

Fruity esters (aliphatic ester subgroup) — Ethyl butyrate represents the quintessential butyrate ester profile and serves as the archetypal pineapple-fruit note in modern perfumery.

Main Descriptors

Ethyl butyrate delivers a powerful, ethereal, and diffusive fruity signature combining intense pineapple-banana character with juicy tutti-frutti sweetness, subtle apple-pear nuances, and a slight sour-buttery undertone that provides critical naturalistic "ripening" effects to fruit accords (Fraterworks, n.d.).

The primary olfactory characteristics include:

  • Pineapple dominance: Strong, authentic tropical pineapple note reminiscent of fresh fruit

  • Banana facet: Sweet, ripe banana undertones

  • Ethereal lift: Highly volatile, diffusive character that adds sparkle and freshness

  • Tutti-frutti sweetness: Juicy, candy-like fruit character

  • Buttery-sour nuance: Slight fatty, butter-like undertone that adds naturalistic depth

  • Cognac warmth: Subtle warm-fruity effect in low concentrations

Intensity

Very high impact — Ethyl butyrate is extremely diffusive and very powerful, becoming rather vomit-like when overdosed, but capable of adding freshness and lift to floral and oriental fragrances when used judiciously (Pell Wall, n.d.). The compound's exceptional strength requires careful dosing, typically ranging from 0.1% to 2.0% in finished fragrance compositions depending on desired intensity.

Tenacity

Moderate to low persistence — As a highly volatile top note ingredient, ethyl butyrate exhibits rapid evaporation with limited substantivity on skin or fabric. Fragrance strips typically retain the characteristic pineapple note for 30-60 minutes before complete dissipation. The compound requires fixative support from heavier musks, ambergris notes, or resinous materials to extend longevity in complex compositions.

Volatility

High volatility — With a boiling point of approximately 120-121°C and vapor pressure of 18.5 hPa at 25°C, ethyl butyrate classifies as an extreme top note material. This exceptional volatility contributes to its immediate olfactory impact and diffusive character, making it ideal for applications requiring instant fragrance delivery and sparkling freshness.

Fixative Role

Minimal fixative properties — Ethyl butyrate functions primarily as a radiant top-note enhancer rather than a fixative. The compound adds diffusive lift and fresh fruity character but offers no substantive fixation to fragrance bases. Perfumers must incorporate complementary fixatives when using ethyl butyrate to ensure acceptable fragrance persistence.

Applications in Fine Fragrance

Ethyl butyrate serves as an essential top note modifier for fruit accords, providing diffusive lift enhancement and naturalizing ripeness effects across diverse fragrance families (Fraterworks, n.d.). Its primary applications include:

Fruity Compositions

  • Tropical fruit accords: Central to pineapple reconstructions, often combined with allyl cyclohexyl propionate and other tropical esters

  • Mixed fruit blends: Enhances complexity in berry, stone fruit, and citrus combinations

  • Gourmand formulations: Adds authentic fruit character to dessert and confectionery-inspired fragrances

Floral Modifications This material has occasionally been used in minute traces in perfume compositions for its warm-fruity effect in rose and other floral bases (Arctander as cited in Pell Wall, n.d.). Small additions (0.05-0.1%) can:

  • Brighten jasmine with fresher, sharper character

  • Add juicy, natural facets to rose compositions

  • Enhance tropical floral accords (ylang-ylang, frangipani)

Oriental & Woody Fragrances When used sparingly (0.1-0.3%), ethyl butyrate contributes:

  • Fresh lift to heavy oriental bases

  • Contrast and complexity in amber-woody structures

  • Naturalistic fruit-resin balance in balsamic compositions

Masking & Functional Applications Ethyl butyrate is used as a masking agent for industrial fragrances (Arctander as cited in Pell Wall, n.d.), effectively covering unpleasant base notes in household and personal care products.

Performance in Formula

Blending Behavior Ethyl butyrate exhibits excellent miscibility with most fragrance materials, integrating smoothly into both alcoholic and oil-based formulations. However, its extreme volatility and high diffusion coefficient require careful attention to:

  • Top note balance: Can dominate lighter compositions if not properly moderated

  • Overdosing risks: Becomes unpleasantly sharp and vomit-like above 2-3% in most applications

  • Maceration effects: Scent character stabilizes after 24-48 hours of maceration

Synergistic Combinations Ethyl 2-methylbutanoate provides greener, more apple-like character while ethyl butyrate offers classic pineapple-banana fruitiness, showing excellent synergy when combined in 2:1 or 3:1 ratios for complex fruit accords (Scentspiracy, n.d.).

Additional complementary pairings include:

  • With ethyl hexanoate: Creates fuller, more complex pineapple-apple effects

  • With isoamyl acetate: Adds banana-pear depth to fruit blends

  • With allyl cyclohexyl propionate: Enhances tropical authenticity

  • With fructalate: Forms simple but effective pineapple accords

Chemical Stability Ethyl butyrate may form butyric acid through time (ScenTree, n.d.), particularly in the presence of moisture or under acidic/alkaline conditions. This hydrolysis concern necessitates:

  • Proper storage in tightly sealed containers

  • Protection from moisture and extreme pH environments

  • Regular quality assessment for products stored beyond 24 months

Industrial & Technical Uses

Beyond perfumery and flavor applications, ethyl butyrate serves multiple industrial functions:

Solvent Applications

  • Cellulose plasticizer in coating and film formulations

  • Solvent in perfumery concentrates and extracts

  • Component in specialized cleaning formulations

Pharmaceutical Uses

  • Flavoring agent in oral medications and syrups

  • Microemulsion component in transdermal drug delivery systems

  • Taste-masking agent for bitter active ingredients

Food & Beverage Industry Ethyl butyrate is commonly used as artificial flavoring resembling orange juice and is used in nearly all orange juices sold in the US, including those marketed as "fresh" or "concentrated" (Wikipedia, 2025). Additional applications include:

  • Flavor enhancer in tropical fruit beverages

  • Alcoholic beverage formulations (martinis, daiquiris, rum)

  • Confectionery and baked goods flavoring

Research Applications

  • Model compound in esterification reaction studies

  • Biosynthesis pathway investigations in yeast and fermentation

  • Olfactory receptor research and sensory science studies

Regulatory & Safety Overview

IFRA Status

According to IFRA Amendment 51, ethyl butyrate has no restriction for Category 4 products (Fraterworks, n.d.). This ingredient is not restricted under the 51st Amendment (ScenTree, n.d.).

IFRA 51 Documentation: https://ifrafragrance.org/initiatives-positions/safe-use-fragrance-science/ifra-standards

The absence of restrictions indicates that ethyl butyrate can be used without specific concentration limits across all IFRA product categories, subject to good manufacturing practices and general safety considerations.

EU Cosmetics Regulation

  • EC Number: 203-306-4

  • CosIng Status: Approved for use in cosmetic products

  • Allergen Labeling: Not listed among the 81 fragrance allergens requiring declaration under EU Regulation 2023/1545

  • Compliance: Compliant with EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009

FEMA Status

  • FEMA Number: 2427

  • GRAS Status: Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) for use in food

  • JECFA Number: 29

  • Flavis Number: 09.039

  • Council of Europe Number: 264

Ethyl butyrate is recognized by the Flavor and Extract Manufacturers Association with FEMA number 2427 and by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives with JECFA number 29 (FEMA, n.d.).

Toxicology

Safety assessments by RIFM (Research Institute for Fragrance Materials) support the safe use of ethyl butyrate in fragrance applications when used according to IFRA guidelines and good manufacturing practices. The compound exhibits:

  • Low acute toxicity via dermal and oral routes

  • Minimal sensitization potential at typical use levels

  • No evidence of genotoxic or carcinogenic effects

  • Rapid metabolism and elimination in biological systems

Handling Precautions:

  • Flammable liquid (Flash point: 26°C)

  • May cause skin and eye irritation in concentrated form

  • Requires proper ventilation during handling

  • Store away from heat sources and ignition

References

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