2-Methoxy-3-methylpyrazine (CAS 2847-30-5) — Green Top to heart Note Fragrance Ingredient
2-Methoxy-3-methylpyrazine
CAS 2847-30-5
What Is 2-Methoxy-3-methylpyrazine?
2-Methoxy-3-methylpyrazine is a synthetic aroma chemical that creates earthy, vegetal scents reminiscent of bell peppers and freshly cut grass. You’ll encounter it in perfumes, savory flavors, and some household products. This molecule matters because it’s one of the most potent aroma compounds known – a single drop can alter an entire fragrance composition with its green, peppery character.
Safety Profile
USE WITH AWARENESSWhat Does 2-Methoxy-3-methylpyrazine Smell Like?
2-Methoxy-3-methylpyrazine bursts with an intense green bell pepper aroma that’s almost shocking in its vegetal realism. The initial impact is sharp and slightly metallic, like freshly crushed pepper leaves. As it evolves, the heart reveals earthy undertones of damp soil and raw potatoes. In dry-down, it leaves a whisper of nutty, toasted grain. Despite its power, it integrates beautifully when diluted, adding a crisp green accent that lasts throughout the fragrance lifecycle. The effect is like walking through a sun-dappled vegetable garden after a summer rain.
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
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Used in trace amounts to create an impression of frost-touched leaves, adding cool vegetal nuance to the heliotrope.
Contributes to the green fig leaf illusion, pairing with stemone to recreate the scent of broken plant stems.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: COC1=NC=CN=C1C
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
2-Methoxy-3-methylpyrazine belongs to the alkylmethoxypyrazine class, known for their exceptionally low odor thresholds. These heterocyclic compounds contain a pyrazine ring with methoxy and methyl substituents. In nature, similar compounds occur in bell peppers (Capsicum), potatoes, and some green vegetables. Synthetically, it’s typically produced through condensation reactions of diketones with diamines, followed by selective methylation. The methoxy group at position 2 is crucial for its characteristic green odor profile. Though achiral, minor structural changes create dramatically different odor characters in this sensitive molecular class.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Appearance | Colorless to pale yellow liquid |
|---|---|
| Odor Threshold | 0.0001 ppb (extremely low) |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 0.001-0.01% | Up to 0.05% | Extremely powerful – usually in ppm ranges |
| Functional Fragrance | 0.0005-0.005% | Up to 0.02% | Used for green freshness in detergents |
| Flavor | 0.1-5 ppm | Up to 10 ppm | For bell pepper and vegetable flavors |
Classic Accords
Tip: Always pre-dilute to 0.1% or lower before use – undiluted it can overwhelm a composition.
Alternatives & Comparisons
More intense bell pepper character, even more potent. Used when maximum green impact is needed.
Earthier, less sharp green character. Better for soil and root vegetable effects.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.
IFRA Status
No specific restrictions under IFRA 51st Amendment. Classified as a pyrazine derivative with general usage guidelines.
GHS Classification
RIFM Assessment
RIFM evaluated – safe for use at current industry levels with proper handling precautions for concentrated material.
Sustainability
As a synthetic material, 2-methoxy-3-methylpyrazine has minimal environmental impact in production. The extreme potency means very small quantities are needed, reducing resource consumption. No known issues with biodegradability, though its environmental fate is less studied than common aroma chemicals due to low usage volumes.
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References
- Maga (1982). Pyrazines in foods. CRC Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition. DOI: 10.1080/10408398209527346
- Burdock (2010). Fenaroli’s Handbook of Flavor Ingredients. CRC Press. ISBN 9781420090869
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.
Report a data errorIngredient Data Sheet
CAS 2847-30-5Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 124.14 g/mol🔬 PubChem |
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 1.2🔬 PubChem |
| Boiling Point | 158 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Vapor Pressure | 0.2754 mmHg @ 25°C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 55.6 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Involatility Index | 0.0266💻 Calculated |
| log Kp (skin permeability) | -2.605💻 Calculated |
| SMILES | CC1=NC=CN=C1OC🔬 PubChem |
Volatility & Performance
| Fragrance Note | Heart💻 Calculated |
| Volatility Class | Slow💻 Calculated |
| Persistence Score | 0.7 / 5💻 Calculated |
Odor & Flavor
| Primary Descriptors | hazelnutnuttyroasted• leffingwell |
| Functional Groups | etheraromatic💻 RDKit |
Sensory Thresholds
| Odor Detection Threshold | 0.0035 ppm (n=2)📖 van Gemert |
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: DTXSID80863034
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 124.143 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 1.07 g/cm^3📊 OPERA |
| Boiling Point | 163.83 °C📊 OPERA |
| Melting Point | 37.38 °C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 61.988 °C📊 OPERA |
| Refractive Index | 1.496 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 116.158 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 1.24 Log10 unitless🔬 EPA CTX |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 1.338 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 1.338 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 4.52 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 0.617 mol/L📊 OPERA |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 1.385 mmHg📊 OPERA |
| Viscosity | 2.475 cP📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 36.578 dyn/cm📊 OPERA |
| Thermal Conductivity | 133.778 mW/(m*K)📊 OPERA |
Molecular Descriptors
| Topological Polar Surface Area | 35.01 Ų💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Donors | 0 count💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Acceptors | 3 count💻 Computed |
| Rotatable Bonds | 1 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 1 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 33.939 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 13.454 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.
