2,3-Diethylpyrazine (CAS 15707-24-1) — Sweet Top to Middle Note Fragrance Ingredient
2,3-Diethylpyrazine
CAS 15707-24-1
What Is 2,3-Diethylpyrazine?
2,3-Diethylpyrazine is a synthetic aroma compound that creates nutty, roasted, and earthy scents. You’ll find it in fragrances that aim to evoke coffee, chocolate, or toasted nuts. This ingredient matters because it adds depth and gourmand character to perfumes, making them smell deliciously edible without being overly sweet.
Safety Profile
USE WITH AWARENESSWhat Does 2,3-Diethylpyrazine Smell Like?
2,3-Diethylpyrazine bursts with an intense roasted nut character – imagine freshly ground coffee beans and hazelnuts toasted in a cast iron pan. The initial aroma is powerfully savory, with a slightly smoky edge that recalls charred oak barrels. As it evolves, it reveals a softer, more biscuit-like quality, like the crust of freshly baked bread. The dry-down lingers with a subtle cocoa powder dustiness that blends beautifully with vanilla and woody notes.
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Used to create the deep, truffle-like gourmand heart that makes this fragrance so distinctive. It amplifies the chocolate and dark fruit accords while adding an addictive roasted quality.
Provides the coffee shop vibe that balances the sweet caramel and patchouli. The pyrazine adds a photorealistic espresso bean crunch to the opening.
Works with maple syrup and lavender to create a breakfast-in-bed effect. The roasted edge prevents the sweetness from becoming cloying.
Forms the core coffee accord, blended with rose to create a Middle Eastern coffee house atmosphere. The pyrazine’s dryness mimics coffee’s natural bitterness.
Adds depth to the rum and chocolate accord, creating a dark chocolate-covered espresso bean effect. The nuttiness bridges the gap between sweet and boozy notes.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: CCC1=NC=CN=C1CC
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
2,3-Diethylpyrazine belongs to the alkylpyrazine family, a class of heterocyclic compounds containing nitrogen atoms in their ring structure. These molecules are found naturally in roasted foods through Maillard reactions but are typically synthesized for perfumery via condensation reactions of α-diketones with diamines. The diethyl substitution pattern gives this molecule its characteristic nutty-roasted odor profile, distinct from the more vegetal smell of simpler pyrazines. Its relatively low molecular weight contributes to good volatility, making it useful as a modifier in top notes.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Appearance | Colorless to pale yellow liquid |
|---|---|
| Boiling Point | ~200-220 °C (estimated) |
| Density | ~0.95 g/cm³ (estimated) |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 0.1-0.5% | Up to 1% | Adds gourmand complexity |
| Functional Fragrance | 0.01-0.1% | Up to 0.3% | Used sparingly in air fresheners |
| Flavor | 1-10 ppm | Up to 50 ppm | Enhances roasted notes |
Classic Accords
Tip: Use with vanillin to create a mocha effect or with ionones to suggest praline.
Alternatives & Comparisons
More potent with a sharper roasted peanut character. Better for creating photorealistic peanut butter effects.
Less nutty, more popcorn-like. Useful when you want a lighter, more ethereal roasted effect.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.
IFRA Status
Not currently restricted by IFRA. Generally recognized as safe at typical usage levels.
RIFM Assessment
RIFM has evaluated similar alkylpyrazines as safe at current usage levels, with no significant skin sensitization concerns.
Sustainability
As a synthetic material, 2,3-diethylpyrazine has minimal environmental impact in production. Its high potency means very small quantities are needed, reducing overall resource consumption. Unlike natural coffee or cocoa absolutes, it doesn’t require agricultural land use. Modern synthesis methods have high atom efficiency, generating little waste.
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References
- Burdock, G.A. (2010). Fenaroli’s Handbook of Flavor Ingredients. CRC Press. ISBN 9781439847503
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.
Report a data errorPhysicochemical Properties
DTXSID: DTXSID6047101
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 136.198 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 0.968 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX |
| Boiling Point | 181 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Melting Point | 29.558 °C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 64.075 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Refractive Index | 1.499 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 141.516 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 1.51 Log10 unitless🔬 EPA CTX |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 1.563 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 1.563 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 4.82 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 0.757 mol/L📊 OPERA |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 0.586 mmHg📊 OPERA |
| Viscosity | 2.768 cP📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 34.55 dyn/cm📊 OPERA |
| Thermal Conductivity | 129.925 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 | 2 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 1 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 41.534 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 16.465 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.
