2,3,5-Trimethylpyrazine (CAS 14667-55-1) — Sweet Middle Note Fragrance Ingredient

Sweet · Balsamic

2,3,5-Trimethylpyrazine

CAS 14667-55-1

Origin
synthetic
Note
Middle
IFRA
Generally safe
Data as of: Apr 2026

What Is 2,3,5-Trimethylpyrazine?

2,3,5-Trimethylpyrazine is a synthetic aroma chemical that adds roasted, nutty notes to fragrances. You’ll encounter it in gourmand perfumes and some coffee or chocolate scents. This molecule matters because it creates realistic food-like aromas without actual food ingredients, allowing perfumers to craft edible-inspired fragrances that last.

Safety Profile

GENERALLY SAFE
Generally safeUse with awarenessProfessional use
IFRA-approved for fragrance use
Use moderate concentrations
CAS
14667-55-1
Formula
Mixture
MW
Variable
Odor Family
Sweet · Balsamic
Layer 1 · Enthusiast

What Does 2,3,5-Trimethylpyrazine Smell Like?

2,3,5-Trimethylpyrazine bursts with an intensely roasted coffee bean character, evolving into deep hazelnut and cocoa powder nuances. The dry-down reveals a persistent toasted almond quality with whispers of tobacco leaf. Unlike simpler pyrazines, this trimethylated variant carries exceptional diffusion – a single drop can fill a room with the aroma of freshly ground coffee mingled with roasted peanuts.

Scent Profile

In Famous Fragrances

Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.

Black Phantom(By Kilian, 2017)

Used here to amplify the dark chocolate accord, adding roasted depth to the caramelized sugar notes without becoming overly sweet.

Intense Café(Montale, 2016)

Provides the photorealistic coffee bean top note that distinguishes this fragrance from simpler vanilla gourmands.

Layer 2

2D Molecular Structure

2,3,5-Trimethylpyrazine

SMILES: CC1=CN=C(C)C(C)=N1

Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide

The Chemistry

As a trimethylated pyrazine, this compound belongs to the heterocyclic nitrogen-containing aroma chemicals. The three methyl groups at positions 2, 3, and 5 create steric hindrance that slows degradation, contributing to its exceptional persistence. Synthesized through condensation reactions of diketones with ammonia derivatives, its production requires careful temperature control to prevent unwanted side products.

Physical & Chemical Properties

Boiling PointNot available
DensityNot available

Perfumer Guide

Note Position
Middle
Volatility
Moderate (2-4 hours)
Blending
Good with vanillic and woody notes
ApplicationTypical %RangeNotes
Fine Fragrance0.1-0.5%Up to 1%Powerful modifier for gourmand accords
Functional Fragrance0.01-0.1%Up to 0.3%Used sparingly in air fresheners

Classic Accords

Tip: Balance with ionones to prevent the roasted note from dominating the dry-down.

Alternatives & Comparisons

1
2-Ethyl-3,5-dimethylpyrazine CAS 27043-84-1

Offers similar roasted character but with more potato-like nuances at higher concentrations.

Layer 3

Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability

⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer

General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.

IFRA Status

No restrictions under IFRA 49th Amendment

RIFM Assessment

Considered safe at current usage levels according to RIFM 2015 assessment.

Sustainability

As a synthetic material, production avoids agricultural land use. Modern synthesis routes have reduced solvent waste through catalytic methods. The compound’s potency means minimal quantities are needed per formulation.

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References

  1. Burdock, G.A. (2010). Fenaroli’s Handbook of Flavor Ingredients. CRC Press.

Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.

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Ingredient Data Sheet

CAS 14667-55-1

Physical Properties

Molecular Weight122.17 g/mol🔬 PubChem
LogP (Octanol-Water)1🔬 PubChem
Boiling Point171.5 °C🔬 EPA CompTox
Vapor Pressure1.122 mmHg @ 25°C📊 OPERA
Flash Point54.4 °C🔬 EPA CompTox
Involatility Index0.1094💻 Calculated
log Kp (skin permeability)-2.735💻 Calculated
SMILESCC1=CN=C(C(=N1)C)C🔬 PubChem

Volatility & Performance

Fragrance NoteTop💻 Calculated
Volatility ClassModerate💻 Calculated
Persistence Score0.5 / 5💻 Calculated

Odor & Flavor

Primary Descriptorsburntnuttyroasted• leffingwell
Functional Groupsaromatic💻 RDKit
2,3,5-Trimethylpyrazine has a baked-potato or roasted-peanut aroma.📖 Fenaroli

Sensory Thresholds

Odor Detection Threshold0.2423 ppm (n=12)📖 van Gemert

Regulatory Status

IOFI ClassificationNature Identical📖 Fenaroli
Data Sources & Attribution
Physical data: PubChem (NIH/NLM), U.S. EPA CompTox Dashboard, EPA OPERA models, RDKit. Odor & flavor: Arctander (Perfume & Flavor Chemicals), Fenaroli's Handbook of Flavor Ingredients, Leffingwell. Thresholds: van Gemert (Compilations of Odour Threshold Values). Regulatory: IFRA Standards 51st, FEMA GRAS. Trade names: Surburg (Common Fragrance & Flavor Materials). All data compiled and cross-referenced for perfumertools.com.

Physicochemical Properties

DTXSID: DTXSID1047075

Physical Properties

Molecular Weight 122.171 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox
Density 0.973 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX
Boiling Point 171.5 °C🔬 EPA CTX
Melting Point 29.195 °C📊 OPERA
Flash Point 54.475 °C🔬 EPA CTX
Refractive Index 1.504 Dimensionless📊 OPERA
Molar Volume 124.706 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA

Partition & Solubility

LogP (Octanol-Water) 0.95 Log10 unitless🔬 EPA CTX
LogD (pH 5.5) 1.001 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
LogD (pH 7.4) 1.001 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
LogKoa (Octanol-Air) 4.51 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
Water Solubility 1.145 mol/L📊 OPERA
Henry's Law Constant 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA

Transport Properties

Vapor Pressure 1.308 mmHg📊 OPERA
Viscosity 2.411 cP📊 OPERA
Surface Tension 35.59 dyn/cm📊 OPERA
Thermal Conductivity 126.79 mW/(m*K)📊 OPERA

Molecular Descriptors

Topological Polar Surface Area 25.78 Ų💻 Computed
H-Bond Donors 0 count💻 Computed
H-Bond Acceptors 2 count💻 Computed
Rotatable Bonds 0 count💻 Computed
Aromatic Rings 1 count💻 Computed
Molar Refractivity 36.91 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA
Polarizability 14.632 Å^3📊 OPERA

Data Sources:

🔬 EPA Experimental data from U.S. EPA CompTox Chemicals Dashboard & CTX APIs. 📊 OPERA Predicted using EPA's OPERA QSAR models. 💻 Computed Calculated from SMILES using RDKit.

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