4-Methyl-5-thiazoleethanol acetate (CAS 656-53-1) — Sweet Heart to base Note Fragrance Ingredient

Sweet · Balsamic

4-Methyl-5-thiazoleethanol acetate

CAS 656-53-1

Origin
synthetic
Note
Heart to base
IFRA
Use with awareness
Data as of: Apr 2026

What Is 4-Methyl-5-thiazoleethanol acetate?

4-Methyl-5-thiazoleethanol acetate is a synthetic fragrance compound used to add unique meaty, roasted nuances to savory flavors and gourmand perfumes. You’ll encounter it in high-end fragrances and some savory food flavorings. This molecule matters because it bridges the gap between food and fragrance worlds, creating unexpected depth in compositions that play with umami and caramelized notes.

Safety Profile

USE WITH AWARENESS
Generally safeUse with awarenessProfessional use
Approved for use in fragrances
Use restricted in food applications
CAS
656-53-1
Formula
Mixture
MW
Variable
Odor Family
Sweet · Balsamic
Layer 1 · Enthusiast

What Does 4-Methyl-5-thiazoleethanol acetate Smell Like?

A complex chameleon that begins with a sharp, almost burnt matchstick sulfurousness before unfolding into rich meat broth and roasted nuts. As it dries down, it reveals surprising caramelized sugar facets reminiscent of crème brûlée’s burnt sugar crust. The sulfurous edge persists throughout, giving it an addictive savory-sweet tension that makes it invaluable for modern gourmands seeking depth beyond vanilla.

Scent Profile

In Famous Fragrances

Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.

Ombré Nomade(Louis Vuitton, 2018)

Used sparingly here to amplify the oud’s animalic facets while adding a caramelized dimension that bridges the gap between the rose and leather notes.

Black Phantom(By Kilian, 2017)

Provides the haunting roasted coffee bean illusion in this dark gourmand, interacting with the rum and chocolate notes to create a boozy tiramisu effect.

Layer 2

2D Molecular Structure

4-Methyl-5-thiazoleethanol acetate

SMILES: CC(=O)OCCC1=C(C)N=CS1

Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide

The Chemistry

This thiazole derivative belongs to the heterocyclic sulfur compounds class, structurally featuring both a thiazole ring and acetate ester group. While not found in nature, it mimics Maillard reaction products found in roasted meats and coffee. Industrial synthesis typically involves reacting 4-methylthiazole with ethylene oxide followed by acetylation. The sulfur atom’s lone pair electrons contribute to its potent odor characteristics at extremely low thresholds.

Physical & Chemical Properties

AppearanceColorless to pale yellow liquid
Boiling Point~250 °C (estimated)
Density~1.15 g/cm³ (estimated)

Perfumer Guide

Note Position
Heart to base
Volatility
Medium (2-6 hours)
Blending
Challenging but impactful
ApplicationTypical %RangeNotes
Fine Fragrance0.01-0.1%Up to 0.3%Used in trace amounts for savory accents
Gourmand Fragrances0.05-0.2%Up to 0.5%Amplifies caramelized notes

Classic Accords

Tip: Always pre-dilute to 1% or lower before incorporating – its sulfurous facets can overwhelm blends at full strength.

Alternatives & Comparisons

1
2-Acetylthiazole CAS 24295-03-2

For a brighter popcorn-like effect when less meatiness is desired. Shares similar thiazole structure but with acetyl instead of ethanol acetate group.

Layer 3

Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability

⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer

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

IFRA Status

No specific IFRA restrictions. General sulfur compound guidelines apply.

GHS Classification

H315 Skin irritation H319 Eye irritation

RIFM Assessment

Not currently evaluated by RIFM. Use recommended at industry-standard low levels.

Sustainability

As a synthetic material, production involves petrochemical feedstocks but requires minimal quantities due to extreme potency. No known ecological accumulation concerns at usage levels.

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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.

Report a data error

Physicochemical Properties

DTXSID: DTXSID8060959

Physical Properties

Molecular Weight 185.24 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox
Density 1.147 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX
Boiling Point 247.574 °C📊 OPERA
Melting Point 46.603 °C📊 OPERA
Flash Point 110.897 °C📊 OPERA
Refractive Index 1.523 Dimensionless📊 OPERA
Molar Volume 157.725 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA

Partition & Solubility

LogP (Octanol-Water) 1.684 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
LogD (pH 5.5) 1.678 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
LogD (pH 7.4) 1.684 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
LogKoa (Octanol-Air) 5.72 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
Water Solubility 0.013 mol/L📊 OPERA
Henry's Law Constant 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA

Transport Properties

Vapor Pressure 0.01 mmHg📊 OPERA
Viscosity 6.673 cP📊 OPERA
Surface Tension 38.271 dyn/cm📊 OPERA

Molecular Descriptors

Topological Polar Surface Area 39.19 Ų💻 Computed
H-Bond Donors 0 count💻 Computed
H-Bond Acceptors 4 count💻 Computed
Rotatable Bonds 3 count💻 Computed
Aromatic Rings 1 count💻 Computed
Molar Refractivity 48.143 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA
Polarizability 19.085 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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