2,5-Dimethylpyrazine (CAS 123-32-0) — Sweet Heart Note Fragrance Ingredient

Sweet · Woody

2,5-Dimethylpyrazine

CAS 123-32-0

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

What Is 2,5-Dimethylpyrazine?

2,5-Dimethylpyrazine is a synthetic aroma compound that adds roasted, nutty notes to fragrances. Commonly encountered in coffee, chocolate, and tobacco scents, it provides depth and warmth. This ingredient matters because it authentically recreates gourmand nuances at trace concentrations, enhancing realism in food-inspired perfumery without being overpowering.

Safety Profile

GENERALLY SAFE
Generally safeUse with awarenessProfessional use
GRAS status for food use
Use below 0.5% in final product
CAS
123-32-0
Formula
Mixture
MW
Variable
Odor Family
Sweet · Woody
Layer 1 · Enthusiast

What Does 2,5-Dimethylpyrazine Smell Like?

Opens with sharp roasted coffee grounds and dark chocolate bitterness, quickly softening into hazelnut spread warmth. The dry-down reveals subtle earthy tobacco leaf nuances. Like walking past a artisan coffee roastery where cocoa nibs are being ground – intense first impression that mellows into comforting gourmand embrace.

Scent Profile

In Famous Fragrances

Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.

Black Opium(YSL, 2014)

Used at 0.2% to enhance the coffee accord, adding roasted depth that contrasts with white florals.

A*Men(Mugler, 1996)

Provides the burnt sugar facet in the famous tar-and-coffee gourmand base.

Layer 2

2D Molecular Structure

2,5-Dimethylpyrazine

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

Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide

The Chemistry

Pyrazine derivative with methyl groups at positions 2 and 5. Synthesized via condensation reactions of aminoketones. The planar aromatic ring system allows strong interaction with olfactory receptors. Methyl positioning creates steric hindrance that modulates volatility.

Physical & Chemical Properties

Boiling Point155 °C
Vapor Pressure1.2 mmHg at 25°C

Perfumer Guide

Note Position
Heart
Volatility
Medium (2-4 hours)
Blending
Good
ApplicationTypical %RangeNotes
Fine Fragrance0.1-0.5%Up to 1%Overdosing creates harsh burnt notes
Functional Fragrance50-200 ppmUp to 500 ppmCoffee flavor enhancement

Classic Accords

+ Vanilla + Tonka = Gourmand + Castoreum + Birch Tar = Leather

Tip: Counterbalance with sweet vanillic notes to prevent excessive bitterness.

Alternatives & Comparisons

1
2,3,5-Trimethylpyrazine CAS 14667-55-1

More intense roasted character with higher olfactory threshold. Use when longer-lasting coffee effect is desired.

Layer 3

Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability

⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer

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

IFRA Status

No restrictions under current IFRA standards.

RIFM Assessment

RIFM assessment confirms safe use at reported levels.

Sustainability

Synthesized from petrochemical precursors. Energy-intensive manufacturing offset by high potency requiring minimal quantities per formulation.

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References

  1. PubChem Compound Summary for 2,5-Dimethylpyrazine CID 31257

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

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Physicochemical Properties

DTXSID: DTXSID6047652

Physical Properties

Molecular Weight 108.144 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox
Density 0.991 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX
Boiling Point 155 °C🔬 EPA CTX
Melting Point 15 °C🔬 EPA CTX
Flash Point 63.975 °C🔬 EPA CTX
Refractive Index 1.504 Dimensionless📊 OPERA
Molar Volume 108.431 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA

Partition & Solubility

LogP (Octanol-Water) 0.63 Log10 unitless🔬 EPA CTX
LogD (pH 5.5) 0.683 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
LogD (pH 7.4) 0.684 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
LogKoa (Octanol-Air) 3.73 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
Water Solubility 3.064 mol/L📊 OPERA
Henry's Law Constant 0 atm-m3/mole🔬 EPA CTX

Transport Properties

Vapor Pressure 1.5 mmHg🔬 EPA CTX
Viscosity 1.873 cP📊 OPERA
Surface Tension 36.448 dyn/cm📊 OPERA
Thermal Conductivity 131.246 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 32.085 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA
Polarizability 12.72 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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