Fructalate

Fructalate® (CAS N° 72903-27-6) - Technical Ingredient Overview

• 🏭 Manufacturer — Firmenich

• 🔎 Chemical Name — Diethyl 1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylate (PubChem CID 254555)

• 🧪 Synonyms — Raspberry dicarboxylate; Diethyl cyclohexane-1,4-dicarboxylate; 1,4-Cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid, diethyl ester; 1,4-Cyclohexandicarbonsäure, Diethylester; NSC 78975

• 📂 CAS Number — 72903-27-6

• 📘 FEMA Number — Not applicable (fragrance use only)

• ⚖️ Molecular Weight — 228.28 g/mol (C₁₂H₂₀O₄)

• 📝 Odor Type — Fruity-etherial

• 📈 Odor Strength — Strong, powerful with remarkable blooming properties

• 👃🏼 Odor Profile — Bright fruity, raspberry-dominant with apple facets, ethereal, long-lasting berry character with strawberry enhancement effects at low concentrations

• ⚗️ Uses — Fragrance compositions, air care applications, liquid formulations for fruity bloom enhancement

• 🧴 Appearance — Colorless to pale yellow liquid (typical ester characteristics)

What is Fructalate®?

Fructalate® is a proprietary synthetic fragrance ingredient developed by Firmenich, chemically classified as diethyl 1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylate. This aromatic ester belongs to the cyclohexane dicarboxylate family and is characterized by its molecular formula C₁₂H₂₀O₄ with a molecular weight of 228.28 g/mol. The compound represents a significant advancement in synthetic fruity molecules, offering perfumers a powerful tool for creating authentic berry impressions in fragrance compositions.

As a specialized aromatic molecule, Fructalate® demonstrates exceptional performance characteristics that distinguish it from conventional fruity esters. The ingredient exhibits remarkable blooming properties, long-lasting fruity lift, and provides incredible volume to perfume compositions. Its unique molecular structure, featuring dual ethyl ester groups attached to a cyclohexane ring in the 1,4-position, contributes to its distinctive olfactory profile and performance attributes.

Historical Background

Fructalate® emerged from Firmenich’s extensive research into synthetic fruity molecules during the late 20th century, with its CAS registration number 72903-27-6 indicating formal chemical identification and regulatory documentation. The development of this ingredient reflected the perfumery industry’s growing demand for high-performance synthetic molecules capable of delivering authentic fruit impressions with superior longevity and diffusion characteristics.

The molecule’s creation represents a significant milestone in the evolution of fruity fragrance ingredients, particularly in the raspberry and berry category. Traditional fruity esters often suffered from limited tenacity and poor diffusion, creating a market need for molecules with enhanced performance characteristics. Firmenich’s development of Fructalate® addressed these technical challenges while providing perfumers with a versatile ingredient suitable for various application types.

The ingredient gained recognition within the professional perfumery community for its ability to enhance strawberry effects at low dosages, a property that distinguished it from conventional raspberry ketones and fruit esters. This technical advancement has made Fructalate® a preferred choice for formulators seeking to create authentic berry impressions in both fine fragrance and functional fragrance applications.

Olfactory Profile

• Scent Family: Fruity - specifically classified within the berry sub-category with primary raspberry characteristics

• Main Descriptors: Bright fruity character with dominant raspberry notes, complemented by crisp apple facets that provide compositional volume. The olfactory profile encompasses fruity, raspberry, apple, and ethereal qualities, delivering a long-lasting fruity berry note that is both powerful and stable. The molecule exhibits exceptional clarity in its fruit expression, avoiding the cloying or artificial character often associated with synthetic fruit molecules.

• Intensity: High odor strength with remarkable blooming properties that allow for significant compositional impact at relatively low concentrations. At low dosage, the ingredient enhances the overall profile of formulations and produces authentic strawberry effects.

• Tenacity: Exceptional longevity characteristics, maintaining its fruity character throughout the fragrance development process. The molecule demonstrates superior substantivity compared to conventional fruit esters, providing extended fruity lift in compositions.

• Volatility: Medium volatility profile positioning it as a middle note ingredient with excellent bridging properties between top and base notes. The cyclohexane dicarboxylate structure provides balanced evaporation characteristics.

• Fixative Role: Demonstrates boosting effects on fruity, citrus, and herbal notes, functioning as both a primary fruity note and an enhancing agent for related olfactory families.

Applications in Fine Fragrance

Fructalate® serves multiple functional roles within fine fragrance compositions, primarily as a fruity heart note that provides volume and radiance to perfume structures. The ingredient excels in creating authentic berry impressions, particularly in compositions requiring raspberry or mixed berry effects. Its unique ability to enhance strawberry characteristics at low concentrations makes it valuable for formulators seeking to create nuanced fruit accords.

The molecule demonstrates exceptional compatibility with citrus top notes, providing seamless transitions from fresh opening accords to fruity heart developments. In floral compositions, Fructalate® contributes a natural fruit backdrop that enhances the authenticity of flower-fruit combinations, particularly those featuring rose, jasmine, or freesia with berry facets.

Contemporary fragrance applications have seen increased utilization of Fructalate® in gourmand compositions, where its authentic fruit character provides essential contrast to sweet, dessert-like elements. The ingredient’s powerful blooming properties make it particularly suitable for Eau de Parfum concentrations, where its performance characteristics can be fully utilized.

Performance in Formula

• Behavior in Blends: Fructalate® demonstrates excellent blending characteristics with both natural and synthetic fragrance materials. The ingredient shows particular effectiveness in air care and liquid applications for bloom enhancement, indicating superior diffusion and volatility management properties.

• Diffusion Characteristics: The molecule exhibits powerful radiance and blooming properties, contributing significant volume to fragrance compositions without overwhelming other ingredients. Its cyclohexane dicarboxylate structure provides controlled release characteristics.

• Impact on Overall Composition: Functions as both a primary fruity note and a boosting agent for fruity, citrus, and herbal notes, providing incredible volume and enhancing the overall profile of formulations.

• Compatibility with Other Materials: Demonstrates broad compatibility across fragrance families, with particular synergy in citrus, floral, and green compositions. The ingredient’s ethereal quality prevents interference with delicate floral materials while enhancing their natural fruit facets.

Industrial & Technical Uses

Beyond fine fragrance applications, Fructalate® finds extensive use in air care and liquid applications where its powerful, affordable, and stable characteristics provide excellent performance. The ingredient’s robust chemical structure makes it suitable for various industrial fragrance applications, including household products, personal care formulations, and fabric care applications.

The molecule’s stability profile makes it particularly valuable in applications requiring extended shelf life and consistent performance under varying environmental conditions. Its compatibility with surfactant systems and various solvent structures expands its utility across diverse product categories.

Technical applications include use as a masking agent for undesirable odors in industrial products, where its powerful fruity character can effectively overcome off-notes while providing pleasant olfactory effects.

Regulatory & Safety Overview

• IFRA Status: Current IFRA Amendment 51 documentation available - specific restriction levels require consultation of official IFRA documentation for precise usage limitations across product categories.

• EU Cosmetics Regulation: As a synthetic fragrance ingredient, compliance with EU Cosmetics Regulation requirements applies - specific documentation should be consulted for current status.

• Toxicology: Safety profile established through industry-standard testing protocols - detailed toxicological data available through official channels and safety documentation.

• FEMA Status: Not applicable - ingredient designated for fragrance use only, not approved for food flavoring applications.

References

• Firmenich. (n.d.). Fructalate® technical documentation and safety data sheets. Internal technical publications.

• National Center for Biotechnology Information. (n.d.). Diethyl 1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylate. PubChem Compound Database. CID 254555. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Diethyl-1_4-cyclohexanedicarboxylate

• Santa Cruz Biotechnology. (n.d.). Diethyl trans-1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylate. Product Documentation. CAS 19145-96-1.

• Various industry sources. (n.d.). CAS Registry Number 72903-27-6 chemical identification and synonyms. Chemical databases and regulatory documentation.