Butanoic acid, 2-methyl-, 5-hexen-1-yl ester (CAS 155514-23-1) — Green Top to middle Note Fragrance Ingredient

Green · Citrus

Butanoic acid, 2-_methyl-_, 5-_hexen-_1-_yl ester

CAS 155514-23-1

Origin
synthetic
Note
Top to middle
IFRA
Use with awareness
Data as of: Apr 2026

What Is Butanoic acid, 2-_methyl-_, 5-_hexen-_1-_yl ester?

Butanoic acid, 2-methyl-, 5-hexen-1-yl ester is a synthetic fragrance compound primarily encountered in laboratory settings and industrial fragrance production. It contributes to complex scent profiles in perfumes and functional products. This ester matters in perfumery for its ability to add fruity, green nuances to compositions, though consumers rarely encounter it as a standalone ingredient.

Safety Profile

USE WITH AWARENESS
Generally safeUse with awarenessProfessional use
No major restrictions under current regulations
Limited safety data available
CAS
155514-23-1
Formula
Mixture
MW
Variable
Odor Family
Green · Citrus
Layer 1 · Enthusiast

What Does Butanoic acid, 2-_methyl-_, 5-_hexen-_1-_yl ester Smell Like?

This ester delivers a crisp, fruity-green character reminiscent of unripe apples and fresh-cut grass with subtle tropical undertones. The top note presents a sharp, almost effervescent quality that quickly mellows into a rounded fruitiness. As it evolves, a faint woody-musky base emerges, creating an intriguing contrast with the initial brightness. The dry-down reveals surprising persistence for an ester, leaving a clean, slightly soapy trail that works well in modern citrus-floral compositions.

Scent Profile
Layer 2

2D Molecular Structure

Butanoic acid, 2-methyl-, 5-hexen-1-yl ester

SMILES: CCC(C)C(=O)OCCCCC=C

Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide

The Chemistry

This branched-chain ester belongs to the class of aliphatic carboxylic acid esters, synthesized through esterification reactions between 2-methylbutanoic acid and 5-hexen-1-ol. The molecule features both a methyl branch and an unsaturated hexenyl chain, contributing to its distinctive olfactory profile. Industrial production typically employs acid-catalyzed Fischer esterification under controlled conditions. The presence of the double bond introduces potential for isomerism, though commercial samples are typically mixtures of isomers.

Physical & Chemical Properties

Boiling PointNot available
DensityNot available

Perfumer Guide

Note Position
Top to middle
Volatility
Moderate (1-3 hours)
Blending
Good
ApplicationTypical %RangeNotes
Fine Fragrance0.5-2%Up to 5%Used as a fruity-green modifier
Functional Products0.1-1%Up to 3%Adds freshness to detergents

Classic Accords

Tip: Use in trace amounts to brighten citrus top notes without overpowering delicate florals.

Alternatives & Comparisons

1
Hexyl 2-methylbutanoate CAS 10032-15-2

Similar fruity-green profile but with greater stability in formulations due to saturated alkyl chain.

2
3-Hexenyl isobutyrate CAS 41519-23-7

Offers more pronounced green leaf character while maintaining fruity undertones.

Layer 3

Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability

⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer

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

IFRA Status

Not currently restricted by IFRA standards.

RIFM Assessment

No formal RIFM assessment available due to limited commercial use.

Sustainability

As a synthetic material, this ester avoids agricultural sourcing concerns but requires petrochemical feedstocks. Production typically involves moderate energy inputs. The compound’s potency means small quantities can achieve desired effects, reducing overall material consumption in formulations. No known ecological toxicity concerns at typical usage levels.

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References

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

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    Physicochemical Properties

    DTXSID: DTXSID30889027

    Physical Properties

    Molecular Weight 184.279 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox
    Density 0.876 g/cm^3📊 OPERA
    Boiling Point 225.251 °C📊 OPERA
    Melting Point -58.357 °C📊 OPERA
    Flash Point 87.335 °C📊 OPERA
    Refractive Index 1.434 Dimensionless📊 OPERA
    Molar Volume 209.062 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA

    Partition & Solubility

    LogP (Octanol-Water) 3.877 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
    LogD (pH 5.5) 3.877 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
    LogD (pH 7.4) 3.877 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
    LogKoa (Octanol-Air) 5.24 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
    Water Solubility 0.001 mol/L📊 OPERA
    Henry's Law Constant 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA

    Transport Properties

    Vapor Pressure 0.074 mmHg📊 OPERA
    Viscosity 1.65 cP📊 OPERA
    Surface Tension 27.477 dyn/cm📊 OPERA
    Thermal Conductivity 136.032 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 7 count💻 Computed
    Aromatic Rings 0 count💻 Computed
    Molar Refractivity 54.469 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA
    Polarizability 21.593 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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