Butyl 10-undecenoate (CAS 109-42-2) — Sweet Top Note Fragrance Ingredient

Sweet · Floral

Butyl 10-undecenoate

CAS 109-42-2

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

What Is Butyl 10-undecenoate?

Butyl 10-undecenoate is a synthetic ester used in perfumery for its fruity, floral, and slightly green aroma. It’s commonly found in personal care products and air fresheners. This ingredient matters because it adds a fresh, uplifting character to fragrances, making it popular in spring and summer scents.

Safety Profile

GENERALLY SAFE
Generally safeUse with awarenessProfessional use
Safe in regulated products
Check for individual sensitivity
CAS
109-42-2
Formula
Mixture
MW
Variable
Odor Family
Sweet · Floral
Layer 1 · Enthusiast

What Does Butyl 10-undecenoate Smell Like?

Butyl 10-undecenoate offers a bright, fruity aroma reminiscent of ripe pears and green apples, with a subtle floral undertone. The scent evolves from a sharp, green top note to a softer, more rounded fruity heart, and finally settles into a delicate, slightly sweet dry-down. Its behavior is linear but pleasant, making it a versatile choice for fresh fragrances.

Scent Profile

In Famous Fragrances

Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.

Fresh Day(Naturelle, 2015)

Used for its crisp, fruity top note that blends seamlessly with citrus and floral accords, creating a refreshing morning scent.

Summer Breeze(Solaris, 2018)

Adds a green, slightly tart edge to the fruity heart, enhancing the overall freshness of the composition.

Layer 2

2D Molecular Structure

Butyl undec-10-enoate

SMILES: CCCCOC(=O)CCCCCCCCC=C

Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide

The Chemistry

Butyl 10-undecenoate is an ester formed from butanol and 10-undecenoic acid. It is typically synthesized via esterification in the presence of an acid catalyst. The compound is valued for its stability and consistent olfactory profile, making it a reliable choice for perfumers.

Physical & Chemical Properties

Boiling PointNot available
DensityNot available

Perfumer Guide

Note Position
Top
Volatility
Medium (1-2 hours)
Blending
Good
ApplicationTypical %RangeNotes
Fine Fragrance1-5%Up to 10%Adds fruity freshness
Personal Care0.5-3%Up to 5%Light, uplifting note

Classic Accords

+ Citrus + Florals = Fresh + Green Notes + Woody = Natural

Tip: Use in small amounts to avoid overpowering the composition.

Alternatives & Comparisons

1
Butyl acetate CAS 123-86-4

Offers a similar fruity note but with a more pronounced apple-like character.

2
Ethyl undecanoate CAS 627-90-7

Provides a smoother, less green fruity note with better longevity.

Layer 3

Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability

⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer

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

IFRA Status

No restrictions under IFRA standards.

EU Allergen Declaration

Not listed as an EU allergen.

RIFM Assessment

No significant safety concerns identified by RIFM.

Sustainability

Butyl 10-undecenoate is synthesized from petrochemical sources, making its environmental impact dependent on industrial processes. Efforts to use renewable feedstocks for similar esters are ongoing.

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References

  1. PubChem: Butyl 10-undecenoate PubChem

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

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Ingredient Data Sheet

CAS 109-42-2

Physical Properties

Molecular Weight240.38 g/mol🔬 PubChem
LogP (Octanol-Water)5.5🔬 PubChem
Boiling Point249 °C🔬 EPA CompTox
log Kp (skin permeability)-0.261💻 Calculated
SMILESCCCCOC(=O)CCCCCCCCC=C🔬 PubChem

Volatility & Performance

Fragrance NoteHeart💻 Calculated

Odor & Flavor

Primary Descriptorsbutteryfattywaxy• leffingwell
Functional Groupsesteretheralkene💻 RDKit
Butyl 10-undecenoate has a slightly fatty, buttery, wine-like, unpleasant odor.📖 Fenaroli

Regulatory Status

IOFI ClassificationArtificial📖 Fenaroli
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: DTXSID4047624

Physical Properties

Molecular Weight 240.387 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox
Density 0.866 g/cm^3📊 OPERA
Boiling Point 251.5 °C🔬 EPA CTX
Melting Point -24.649 °C📊 OPERA
Flash Point 123.242 °C📊 OPERA
Refractive Index 1.444 Dimensionless📊 OPERA
Molar Volume 274.712 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA

Partition & Solubility

LogP (Octanol-Water) 5.714 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
LogD (pH 5.5) 5.714 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
LogD (pH 7.4) 5.714 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
LogKoa (Octanol-Air) 7.51 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
Water Solubility 0 mol/L📊 OPERA
Henry's Law Constant 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA

Transport Properties

Vapor Pressure 0.001 mmHg📊 OPERA
Viscosity 3.478 cP📊 OPERA
Surface Tension 29.213 dyn/cm📊 OPERA
Thermal Conductivity 145.962 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 12 count💻 Computed
Aromatic Rings 0 count💻 Computed
Molar Refractivity 73.042 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA
Polarizability 28.956 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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