Fructalate

Nectarate Technical Ingredient Overview

• 🏭 Manufacturer — IFF (International Flavors & Fragrances)

• 🔎 Chemical Name — Butanoic acid, 3a,4,5,6,7,7a-hexahydro-4,7-methano-1H-indenyl ester

• 🧪 Synonyms — Fruity butanate; Tricyclodecenyl n-butyrate; Cyclobutanate; Nectarate™

• 📂 CAS Number — 113889-23-9

• 📘 FEMA Number — 2735

• ⚖️ Molecular Weight — 220.30 g/mol

• 📝 Odor Type — Fruity-floral, stone fruit

• 📈 Odor Strength — Medium to high; diffusive

• 👃🏼 Odor Profile — Pleasant, juicy peach-nectarine character with soft woody-balsamic undertones. Opens with an immediately uplifting, ripe stone fruit note that is rounded and naturalistic. The fruity quality is substantive and diffusive without aldehydic sharpness

• ⚗️ Uses — Fine fragrance (fruity-floral compositions), functional fragrance (body care, household care), ambient scenting (candles, diffusers), limited flavor applications (FEMA-listed)

• 🧴 Appearance — Colorless to pale yellow clear liquid

What is Nectarate?

Nectarate is a synthetic ester classified under saturated polycyclic carboxylic acid esters, developed by IFF (International Flavors & Fragrances) as part of their proprietary fruity materials portfolio. The molecule features a tricyclic backbone (hexahydro-methano-indenyl structure) esterified with butanoic acid, engineered specifically for olfactory clarity, chemical stability, and controlled volatility. Designed to deliver realistic stone fruit character without the instability or harshness often associated with aldehyde-based fruity notes, Nectarate functions as a versatile top-to-heart note in modern perfumery.

The compound belongs to the broader family of polycyclic esters that have become increasingly important in fragrance chemistry for their ability to provide natural-smelling fruity effects with excellent formulation stability and wash-resistance properties (IFF, 2025). Nectarate's molecular architecture combines the diffusive properties needed for top notes with sufficient substantivity to persist through the heart phase of a fragrance composition.

Historical Background

Nectarate was developed by IFF as part of the company's research into synthetic fruity materials that could provide naturalistic stone fruit effects for modern perfumery applications. While the exact year of first synthesis is proprietary information not publicly disclosed by IFF, the material has been commercially available since the late 20th century and has been listed in the FEMA GRAS program as FEMA 2735, indicating its evaluation and acceptance for limited use in flavor applications.

The development of Nectarate represents part of a broader trend in fragrance chemistry toward creating molecules that combine desirable olfactory properties (naturalness, diffusivity, pleasantness) with technical advantages (stability, substantivity, compatibility). The tricyclic ester structure was specifically designed to address limitations in earlier fruity materials, particularly regarding stability in various formulation matrices and performance through consumer use cycles.

Olfactory Profile

Scent Family

• Classification: Fruity (stone fruit) with woody-balsamic facets

• Primary Category: Top-to-heart note fruity ester

Main Descriptors

Nectarate delivers a characteristic peach-nectarine profile that is immediately recognizable yet refined. The primary impression is of ripe, juicy stone fruit—specifically peach and nectarine—with a soft, rounded quality that avoids the sharp, aldehydic character of some synthetic fruit notes (IFF, 2025). The fruity aspect is supported by subtle woody-balsamic undertones that add depth and prevent the note from becoming one-dimensional or overly sweet.

The olfactory character exhibits high naturalness, making it suitable for both realistic fruit reconstructions and abstract fruity-floral accords. The material demonstrates excellent diffusion, projecting strongly in the opening of a fragrance while maintaining clarity and definition. The peachy quality is appetizing and mood-lifting without being cloying or synthetic in character.

Intensity

• Strength Rating: Medium to high

• Diffusivity: High—Nectarate exhibits strong diffusive properties, making it effective at low concentrations while providing excellent projection in the top notes of a composition. The material's volatility profile ensures rapid development upon application.

Tenacity

• Longevity: Greater than 48 hours on blotter (IFF, 2025)

• Persistence: Nectarate demonstrates unusually good substantivity for a fruity note, extending well into the heart phase of a fragrance. This persistence is one of its key technical advantages, particularly in functional fragrance applications where wash-out resistance is critical.

• Volatility

• Evaporation Rate: Moderate-to-fast (top-to-heart note behavior)

• Classification: Functions primarily as a top note with heart note persistence

The material's volatility profile is carefully balanced—sufficiently volatile to provide immediate fruity impact in the opening, yet substantive enough to persist through multiple phases of evaporation. This dual character makes it particularly valuable in creating fruity-floral compositions that require continuity between top and heart notes.

Applications in Fine Fragrance

Nectarate is frequently employed in modern fruity-floral compositions where it adds naturalistic ripeness, roundness, and lift. The material excels in summer fragrances, tropical accords, and gourmand profiles where a recognizable yet refined peach-nectarine character is desired. Its soft woody undertones make it suitable for both feminine and increasingly, unisex compositions.

The ingredient pairs exceptionally well with other stone fruit notes (apricot materials, lactones), tropical fruits (mango, papaya accords), and floral materials—particularly rose, jasmine, violet, and orange blossom. It is also effective in masking synthetic harshness in cost-sensitive functional fragrance bases, where it can soften aldehydes and provide naturalness to abstract compositions.

Performance in Formula

• Stability: Nectarate demonstrates excellent formulation stability across various matrices. It is stable in soap, candles, detergents, and most cosmetic formulations. However, it should not be used in highly acidic products (pH <3) where ester hydrolysis may occur.

• Substantivity: The material exhibits exceptional wash-out resistance, maintaining its fruity character through multiple washing cycles—a critical property for functional fragrance applications in laundry care and personal care rinse-off products.

• Typical Use Level: Up to 10% in finished products (IFF, 2025). The material is not typically overpowering and can often be used at higher percentages than many other fruity materials without dominating a composition.

Industrial & Technical Uses

Beyond perfumery, Nectarate's FEMA 2735 listing permits its use in flavor applications under restricted concentrations. Its primary value remains in fragrance, where it is utilized across fine fragrance, functional fragrance (body care, household products), and ambient scenting applications (candles, reed diffusers, air fresheners).

Regulatory & Safety Overview

IFRA Status

• Current Status: Not listed as prohibited or restricted in IFRA Amendment 51 (notified June 30, 2023)

Nectarate does not appear among the 48 new standards introduced or the revised standards in the 51st Amendment to the IFRA Standards. The material can be used in accordance with general good manufacturing practices for fragrance ingredients.

For the most current IFRA Standards, consult: https://ifrafragrance.org/standards-library

EU Cosmetics Regulation

• Compliance: The material is compliant with EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 when used in accordance with established safety assessments and good manufacturing practices.

• FEMA Status

• FEMA Number: 2735

• Classification: GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) for use as a flavor ingredient under conditions of intended use as evaluated by the FEMA Expert Panel.

Toxicology

According to supplier technical documentation, Nectarate is classified under REACH/CLP regulation with the following characteristics: H412 - Harmful to aquatic life with long lasting effects (aquatic toxicity, chronic Category 3). Standard safety precautions for handling fragrance materials should be observed. The material should be stored in cool, dry, dark conditions and kept out of reach of children.

References

• IFF. (2025). Nectarate™ technical data sheet. International Flavors & Fragrances. Retrieved from https://www.iff.com/scent/ingredients-compendium/nectarate/

• IFRA. (2023). Notification of the 51st Amendment to the IFRA Standards. International Fragrance Association. Retrieved from https://ifrafragrance.org/standards-library

• This overview is part of the Scentspiracy ingredient database. For additional technical information, regulatory updates, or formulation guidance, visit www.scentspiracy.com.