3-Methylbutyl 2-butenoate (CAS 25415-77-4) — Sweet Top to middle Note Fragrance Ingredient

Sweet · Floral

3-Methylbutyl 2-butenoate

CAS 25415-77-4

Origin
synthetic
Note
Top to middle
IFRA
Generally safe
Data as of: Apr 2026

What Is 3-Methylbutyl 2-butenoate?

3-Methylbutyl 2-butenoate is a synthetic ester used in fruity and floral fragrances. You’ll encounter it in perfumes, body sprays, and scented products. This ingredient matters because it adds a juicy, ripe fruit character that blends well with other notes, creating modern fruity-floral compositions.

Safety Profile

GENERALLY SAFE
Generally safeUse with awarenessProfessional use
No major safety concerns
Use standard ester precautions
CAS
25415-77-4
Formula
Mixture
MW
Variable
Odor Family
Sweet · Floral
Layer 1 · Enthusiast

What Does 3-Methylbutyl 2-butenoate Smell Like?

A vibrant, fruity ester with a juicy peach-apricot character that evolves into a floral-herbal heart. The top note bursts with ripe tropical fruit, reminiscent of overripe mango skins and passionfruit pulp. As it dries, it reveals a subtle green undertone like crushed blackcurrant leaves, finishing with a soft, slightly waxy fruitiness that lingers close to the skin.

Scent Profile

In Famous Fragrances

Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.

Fruit Défendu(Robertet, 2015)

Used as the core fruity modifier in this modern gourmand, amplifying the cassis and peach notes while adding diffusion.

Sunshine Woman(Amouage, 2014)

Provides the juicy top note that bridges the citrus opening to the floral heart in this solar composition.

Layer 2

2D Molecular Structure

2-Butenoic acid, 3-methylbutyl ester

SMILES: CC=CC(=O)OCCC(C)C

Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide

The Chemistry

3-Methylbutyl 2-butenoate belongs to the ester class, synthesized through esterification of 2-butenoic acid with 3-methylbutanol. The unsaturated butenoate moiety contributes to its fruity character, while the branched alkyl chain modifies volatility. Typical industrial synthesis involves acid-catalyzed Fischer esterification under controlled conditions to prevent isomerization.

Physical & Chemical Properties

Boiling PointEstimated 180-200°C
DensityApprox. 0.88 g/cm³

Perfumer Guide

Note Position
Top to middle
Volatility
Medium (1-3 hours)
Blending
Good
ApplicationTypical %RangeNotes
Fine Fragrance0.5-2%Up to 5%Fruity modifier
Body Care0.1-1%Up to 2%Juicy accent

Classic Accords

Tip: Use with ionones to create dimensional fruit effects without becoming candied.

Alternatives & Comparisons

1
Ethyl 2-methylbutyrate CAS 7452-79-1

More diffusive with apple-like character when a brighter top note is needed.

2
Hexyl 2-butenoate CAS 19089-92-0

Longer-lasting alternative with similar profile but greener undertones.

Layer 3

Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability

⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer

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

IFRA Status

Not restricted under current IFRA standards.

RIFM Assessment

No specific RIFM assessment found; general ester safety protocols apply.

Sustainability

Synthetic production from petrochemical precursors offers consistent quality and reduces agricultural land use compared to natural fruit extracts. Manufacturing typically follows green chemistry principles with high atom economy.

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References

  1. Bauer et al. (2001). Common Fragrance and Flavor Materials. Wiley-VCH.

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

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Ingredient Data Sheet

CAS 25415-77-4

Physical Properties

Molecular Weight156.22 g/mol🔬 PubChem
LogP (Octanol-Water)2.6🔬 PubChem
Boiling Point183 °C🔬 EPA CompTox
Vapor Pressure2.0893 mmHg @ 25°C📊 OPERA
Flash Point73.4 °C🔬 EPA CompTox
Involatility Index0.1802💻 Calculated
log Kp (skin permeability)-1.807💻 Calculated
SMILESCC=CC(=O)OCCC(C)C🔬 PubChem

Volatility & Performance

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

Odor & Flavor

Primary Descriptorsfloralsweet• leffingwell
Functional Groupsesteretheralkene💻 RDKit
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: DTXSID1067095

Physical Properties

Molecular Weight 156.225 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox
Density 0.907 g/cm^3📊 OPERA
Boiling Point 188.923 °C📊 OPERA
Melting Point -32.087 °C📊 OPERA
Flash Point 71.088 °C📊 OPERA
Refractive Index 1.435 Dimensionless📊 OPERA
Molar Volume 174.57 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA

Partition & Solubility

LogP (Octanol-Water) 2.802 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
LogD (pH 5.5) 2.802 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
LogD (pH 7.4) 2.802 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
LogKoa (Octanol-Air) 4.42 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
Water Solubility 0.022 mol/L📊 OPERA
Henry's Law Constant 0.001 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA

Transport Properties

Vapor Pressure 0.934 mmHg📊 OPERA
Surface Tension 26.765 dyn/cm📊 OPERA

Molecular Descriptors

Topological Polar Surface Area 26.3 Ų💻 Computed
H-Bond Donors 0 count💻 Computed
H-Bond Acceptors 2 count💻 Computed
Rotatable Bonds 4 count💻 Computed
Aromatic Rings 0 count💻 Computed
Molar Refractivity 45.536 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA
Polarizability 18.052 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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