Amyl isobutyrate (CAS 2445-72-9) — Sweet Top Note Fragrance Ingredient

Sweet · Floral

Amyl isobutyrate

CAS 2445-72-9

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

What Is Amyl isobutyrate?

Amyl isobutyrate is a synthetic ester commonly used in fruit-flavored products and perfumes. It imparts a sweet, banana-like aroma. Found in chewing gums, candies, and some floral fragrances. This ingredient matters because it provides a cost-effective way to replicate tropical fruit notes without using natural extracts, which can vary in quality and availability.

Safety Profile

GENERALLY SAFE
Generally safeUse with awarenessProfessional use
Approved for food and fragrance use
Avoid concentrated exposure
CAS
2445-72-9
Formula
Mixture
MW
Variable
Odor Family
Sweet · Floral
Layer 1 · Enthusiast

What Does Amyl isobutyrate Smell Like?

Amyl isobutyrate bursts with a juicy, ripe banana top note that quickly sweetens into a candied pear heart. The dry-down reveals a faint rum-like warmth, like the lingering trace of tropical cocktail on a sun-warmed glass. Though synthetic, it captures the essence of a fruit basket at peak ripeness.

Scent Profile

In Famous Fragrances

Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.

Bubblegum Chic(Demeter, 2002)

Used as the primary synthetic banana note, creating an exaggerated candy sweetness that defines this playful, nostalgic fragrance.

Tropical Punch(Victoria’s Secret, 2010)

Provides the artificial fruit cocktail accent that makes this body spray instantly recognizable to millennials.

Layer 2

2D Molecular Structure

Propanoic acid, 2-methyl-, pentyl ester

SMILES: CCCCCOC(=O)C(C)C

Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide

The Chemistry

Amyl isobutyrate is an ester formed from isoamyl alcohol and isobutyric acid. Industrially produced via acid-catalyzed esterification. The branched chain structure gives it greater stability than straight-chain esters while maintaining good volatility. Chiral centers mean commercial products are racemic mixtures unless specified otherwise.

Physical & Chemical Properties

Boiling Point168-170 °C
Density0.868 g/cm³
Flash Point57 °C

Perfumer Guide

Note Position
Top
Volatility
High (30-90 min)
Blending
Good
ApplicationTypical %RangeNotes
Food Flavoring5-50 ppmUp to 100 ppmArtificial fruit profiles
Body Care0.1-1%Up to 3%Sweetening agent
Fine Fragrance0.5-2%Up to 5%Tropical accents

Classic Accords

Tip: Use with citrus top notes to prevent cloying sweetness.

Alternatives & Comparisons

1
Isoamyl acetate CAS 123-92-2

More banana-forward, less sweet. Preferred for naturalistic fruit profiles rather than candy-like effects.

2
Ethyl isobutyrate CAS 97-62-1

Higher volatility for fleeting fruit effects in top notes.

Layer 3

Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability

⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer

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

IFRA Status

No restrictions under IFRA 49th Amendment.

RIFM Assessment

RIFM-reviewed with no significant safety concerns at current usage levels.

Sustainability

Petroleum-derived but used in such small quantities that environmental impact is minimal. No known ecological toxicity at fragrance concentrations. Synthetic production avoids agricultural land use associated with natural fruit extracts.

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References

  1. Fenaroli’s Handbook of Flavor Ingredients (6th ed). CRC Press.
  2. PubChem Compound Summary for Amyl isobutyrate CID 24800

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

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Ingredient Data Sheet

CAS 2445-72-9

Physical Properties

Molecular Weight158.24 g/mol🔬 PubChem
LogP (Octanol-Water)3🔬 PubChem
Boiling Point179 °C🔬 EPA CompTox
Vapor Pressure1.122 mmHg @ 25°C📊 OPERA
Flash Point59.4 °C🔬 EPA CompTox
Involatility Index0.0961💻 Calculated
log Kp (skin permeability)-1.535💻 Calculated
SMILESCCCCCOC(=O)C(C)C🔬 PubChem

Volatility & Performance

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

Odor & Flavor

Primary Descriptorsappleapricotfruitypineapple• leffingwell
Functional Groupsesterether💻 RDKit

Sensory Thresholds

Odor Detection Threshold0.0605 ppm (n=2)📖 van Gemert
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: DTXSID5074341

Physical Properties

Molecular Weight 158.241 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox
Density 0.875 g/cm^3📊 OPERA
Boiling Point 178.185 °C📊 OPERA
Melting Point -65.983 °C📊 OPERA
Flash Point 59.827 °C📊 OPERA
Refractive Index 1.417 Dimensionless📊 OPERA
Molar Volume 180.955 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA

Partition & Solubility

LogP (Octanol-Water) 3.172 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
LogD (pH 5.5) 3.172 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
LogD (pH 7.4) 3.172 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
LogKoa (Octanol-Air) 4.43 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
Water Solubility 0.004 mol/L📊 OPERA
Henry's Law Constant 0.001 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA

Transport Properties

Vapor Pressure 1.082 mmHg📊 OPERA
Viscosity 1.115 cP📊 OPERA
Surface Tension 25.721 dyn/cm📊 OPERA
Thermal Conductivity 132.947 mW/(m*K)📊 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 5 count💻 Computed
Aromatic Rings 0 count💻 Computed
Molar Refractivity 45.478 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA
Polarizability 18.029 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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