Benzyl trans-2-methyl-2-butenoate (CAS 37526-88-8) — Sweet Top to middle Note Fragrance Ingredient
Benzyl trans-2-methyl-2-butenoate
CAS 37526-88-8
What Is Benzyl trans-2-methyl-2-butenoate?
Benzyl trans-2-methyl-2-butenoate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient used in perfumes and scented products. It contributes to fruity, floral, and slightly woody accords. You’ll encounter it in fine fragrances, body care products, and some household cleaners. This ester compound matters because it adds diffusion and brightness to fragrance compositions, often enhancing fruity top notes without being overpowering.
Safety Profile
GENERALLY SAFEWhat Does Benzyl trans-2-methyl-2-butenoate Smell Like?
Benzyl trans-2-methyl-2-butenoate opens with a vibrant, ripe strawberry-like fruitiness that quickly reveals a jammy, almost wine-like depth. The heart develops into a soft floral character reminiscent of gardenia petals dipped in honey, while the dry-down leaves a whisper of clean, slightly woody musk. Unlike simpler fruity esters, this molecule has remarkable persistence and evolves beautifully on skin, maintaining its character without turning cloying.
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Used here as a fruity-floral bridge between the bright top notes and deeper woody base. Its persistence helps maintain the fragrance’s signature ‘poisoned fruit’ effect throughout wear.
Contributes to the licorice-anise fantasy with its unusual fruity-winey facet, adding complexity to the gourmand structure without being identifiably fruity.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: C\C=C(/C)C(=O)OCC1=CC=CC=C1
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Benzyl trans-2-methyl-2-butenoate is an ester formed from benzyl alcohol and trans-2-methyl-2-butenoic acid (tiglic acid). The trans configuration at the double bond is crucial for its odor profile. Industrial synthesis typically involves acid-catalyzed esterification under controlled conditions to prevent isomerization. This chiral molecule exists as a single enantiomer in commercial production, with the (E)-configuration being odor-active while the (Z)-isomer is typically odorless.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Appearance | Colorless to pale yellow liquid |
|---|---|
| Boiling Point | ~260 °C (estimated) |
| Density | ~1.01 g/cm³ (estimated) |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 0.5-2% | Up to 5% | Adds fruity complexity without dominating |
| Body Care | 0.1-0.5% | Up to 1% | Provides long-lasting fruity notes |
Classic Accords
Tip: Use with ionones to create dimensional fruity-floral effects that resist turning candy-like.
Alternatives & Comparisons
For simpler, more straightforward fruity notes with less persistence. Prefer when a cleaner jasmine effect is needed without winey undertones.
When a brighter, more diffusive fruity note is required without the benzyl alcohol-derived floralcy.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.
IFRA Status
Not currently restricted under IFRA standards. Listed in IFRA Transparency List with no usage limits specified.
RIFM Assessment
Under evaluation by RIFM. Preliminary data suggests low sensitization potential.
Sustainability
As a synthetic material, benzyl trans-2-methyl-2-butenoate has consistent quality and doesn’t depend on agricultural production. The benzyl alcohol component can be derived from renewable toluene sources. Current production methods have moderate energy requirements but generate minimal hazardous waste compared to some other ester syntheses.
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References
- Bauer et al. (2001). Common Fragrance and Flavor Materials. Wiley-VCH.
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.
Report a data errorIngredient Data Sheet
CAS 37526-88-8Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 190.24 g/mol🔬 PubChem |
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 2.8🔬 PubChem |
| Boiling Point | 262 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Vapor Pressure | 0.0257 mmHg @ 25°C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 135.9 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Involatility Index | 0.002💻 Calculated |
| log Kp (skin permeability) | -1.872💻 Calculated |
| SMILES | CC=C(C)C(=O)OCC1=CC=CC=C1🔬 PubChem |
Volatility & Performance
| Fragrance Note | Heart💻 Calculated |
| Volatility Class | Very slow💻 Calculated |
| Persistence Score | 2.9 / 5💻 Calculated |
Odor & Flavor
| Primary Descriptors | mushroomrose• leffingwell |
| Functional Groups | esteretheralkenearomatic💻 RDKit |
| “Peculiar fungus-like, mushroom-type odor with a rosy undertone.”📖 Arctander | |
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: DTXSID3047130
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 190.242 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 1.035 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX |
| Boiling Point | 266.959 °C📊 OPERA |
| Melting Point | 8.829 °C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 136.74 °C📊 OPERA |
| Refractive Index | 1.517 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 185.176 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 3.112 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 3.112 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 3.112 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 6.11 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 0.002 mol/L📊 OPERA |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 0.012 mmHg📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 35.558 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 | 3 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 1 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 56.009 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 22.204 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.
