Benzyl butyrate (CAS 103-37-7) — Sweet Middle Note Fragrance Ingredient
Benzyl butyrate
CAS 103-37-7
What Is Benzyl butyrate?
Benzyl butyrate is a synthetic fragrance compound commonly found in perfumes, soaps, and flavored products. It imparts a sweet, fruity aroma reminiscent of ripe peaches and tropical fruits. This ester is valued for its ability to add juicy, sun-warmed fruit accents to fragrances without being overpowering.
Safety Profile
GENERALLY SAFEWhat Does Benzyl butyrate Smell Like?
Benzyl butyrate bursts with an initial luscious peach nectar character, like biting into a sun-ripened fruit at peak sweetness. The top note evolves into a candied apricot jamminess with hints of pineapple core. As it dries down, it reveals a creamy vanilla undertone that lingers close to the skin, leaving a soft fruity trail. The overall effect is like a summer fruit salad drizzled with honey – bright yet comforting, with just enough green stemminess to prevent cloying sweetness.
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Benzyl butyrate forms the juicy heart of this fragrance, creating an ultra-realistic peach note that avoids synthetic harshness. It blends seamlessly with osmanthus and coconut for a tropical fruit cocktail effect.
Used here to amplify the ripe fruit character against patchouli’s earthiness. The butyrate ester provides the ‘squeezed peach juice’ effect that makes this fragrance so mouthwatering.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: CCCC(=O)OCC1=CC=CC=C1
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Benzyl butyrate is an ester formed from benzyl alcohol and butyric acid. As a synthetic compound, it’s typically produced via acid-catalyzed esterification. The molecular structure features an aromatic benzyl group connected to a butyrate ester chain, giving it both fruity and slightly floral characteristics. Its relatively simple structure makes it highly stable in formulations.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Appearance | Colorless to pale yellow liquid |
|---|---|
| Boiling Point | 240 °C |
| Density | 1.01 g/cm³ |
| Refractive Index | 1.4920 |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 1-5% | Up to 10% | Fruity heart note modifier |
| Soap/Candle | 0.5-2% | Up to 3% | Adds fruity top notes |
Classic Accords
Tip: Use with ionones to create more complex stone fruit effects without increasing sweetness.
Alternatives & Comparisons
For a lighter, more floral-fruity character with jasmine aspects instead of heavy peach notes.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.
IFRA Status
No IFRA restrictions. Approved for use in all categories.
RIFM Assessment
RIFM assessment confirms safe use at current industry levels.
Sustainability
As a synthetic material, benzyl butyrate has consistent quality and doesn’t require agricultural land. Production from petrochemical precursors raises some environmental concerns, but its potency means small quantities are needed. Biotechnological production routes from renewable resources are being explored.
Explore Benzyl butyrate
Browse essential oils and aroma compounds.
Browse on iHerb →Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
References
- Burdock, G.A. (2010). Fenaroli’s Handbook of Flavor Ingredients. CRC Press. ISBN 9781420090869
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.
Report a data errorPhysicochemical Properties
DTXSID: DTXSID7047510
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 178.231 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 1.009 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX |
| Boiling Point | 239.4 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Melting Point | 21 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Flash Point | 122.818 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Refractive Index | 1.499 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 175.253 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 3.105 Log10 unitless🔬 EPA CTX |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 2.953 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 2.953 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 5.72 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 0.001 mol/L🔬 EPA CTX |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 0.049 mmHg🔬 EPA CTX |
| Viscosity | 3.458 cP📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 34.769 dyn/cm📊 OPERA |
| Thermal Conductivity | 140.743 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 | 4 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 1 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 51.476 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 20.406 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.
