Ethyl acetoacetate (CAS 141-97-9) — Sweet Top to Middle Note Fragrance Ingredient
Ethyl acetoacetate
CAS 141-97-9
What Is Ethyl acetoacetate?
Ethyl acetoacetate is a fruity-smelling chemical used in many artificial fruit flavors and fragrances. You’ll encounter it in candies, baked goods, and some fresh-smelling perfumes. This ingredient matters because it adds a juicy, apple-like sweetness that blends well with other fruity and floral notes, helping create realistic fruit impressions without using natural extracts.
Safety Profile
GENERALLY SAFEWhat Does Ethyl acetoacetate Smell Like?
Ethyl acetoacetate bursts with a tart green apple skin aroma, like biting into a just-ripe Granny Smith. The top note has a slightly alcoholic, solvent-like edge that quickly evolves into a jammy fruitiness reminiscent of apple jelly. As it dries down, it reveals a soft, powdery undertone similar to cotton candy, making it versatile for both fresh and gourmand compositions. The dryout maintains a subtle fruity presence without becoming cloying.
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Used here to enhance the citrus top notes with a crisp apple-like quality, blending with lemon and bergamot for that iconic Mediterranean freshness.
Provides a subtle fruity accent to the citrus-green tea accord, adding depth to what would otherwise be a purely crisp fragrance.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: CCOC(=O)CC(C)=O
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Ethyl acetoacetate is an ester formed from ethanol and acetoacetic acid, belonging to the β-ketoester family. Industrially produced via Claisen condensation of ethyl acetate, this versatile intermediate participates in organic synthesis. Its keto-enol tautomerism gives it unique reactivity. The compound exists as a colorless liquid with good solubility in common organic solvents but limited water solubility.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Boiling Point | 180.4 °C |
|---|---|
| Density | 1.028 g/cm³ |
| Flash Point | 84 °C |
| Vapor Pressure | 0.6 mmHg at 20°C |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 1-3% | Up to 5% | Fruity modifier in top notes |
| Functional Fragrance | 0.5-2% | Up to 3% | Apple/berry accord component |
Classic Accords
Tip: Use with citrus oils to create realistic fruit effects without excessive sweetness.
Alternatives & Comparisons
When more caramel-like sweetness is desired instead of fresh fruit character, though less volatile.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.
IFRA Status
No IFRA restrictions – unlimited use permitted.
GHS Classification
RIFM Assessment
RIFM evaluation confirms safe use at current levels in fragrance applications.
Sustainability
Synthesized from petrochemical feedstocks, ethyl acetoacetate benefits from established industrial processes with high atom economy. While not renewable, its efficient production and low usage levels make it relatively sustainable compared to some natural extracts requiring agricultural land.
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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 errorIngredient Data Sheet
CAS 141-97-9Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 130.14 g/mol🔬 PubChem |
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 0.2🔬 PubChem |
| Boiling Point | 183.9 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Vapor Pressure | 0.78 mmHg @ 25°C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 57.2 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Involatility Index | 0.0737💻 Calculated |
| log Kp (skin permeability) | -3.352💻 Calculated |
| SMILES | CCOC(=O)CC(=O)C🔬 PubChem |
Volatility & Performance
| Fragrance Note | Top💻 Calculated |
| Volatility Class | Slow💻 Calculated |
| Persistence Score | 0.5 / 5💻 Calculated |
Odor & Flavor
| Primary Descriptors | appleetherealfruitygreenrum• leffingwell |
| Functional Groups | ketoneesterether💻 RDKit |
| “Ethereal-fruity, sweet and Rum-like odor.”📖 Arctander | |
| Ethyl acetoacetate has a characteristic ether-like, fruity, pleasant, refreshing odor.📖 Fenaroli | |
Flavor Notes (Arctander)
| “Sweet, fruity, somewhat "fermented-over-ripe" fruity taste in water. Finds wider use in flavor compositions, where its pleasant Rum-like taste can be utilized in almost any type of fruity and winy flavor: Apple, Apricot, Berry, Cherry, Peach, Whisky, Rum, Arak, Liqueurs, etc.”📖 Arctander |
Sensory Thresholds
| Odor Detection Threshold | 0.0179 ppm (n=2)📖 van Gemert |
Regulatory Status
| FEMA Number | FEMA 2415⚖️ FEMA GRAS |
| GRAS Status | Generally Recognized as Safe⚖️ FEMA GRAS |
| IOFI Classification | Nature Identical📖 Fenaroli |
Trade Names
| Liffarome📖 Surburg |
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: DTXSID2027092
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 130.143 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 1.027 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX |
| Boiling Point | 181.056 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Melting Point | -44.792 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Flash Point | 68.664 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Refractive Index | 1.408 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 128.178 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 0.297 Log10 unitless🔬 EPA CTX |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 0.318 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 0.316 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 3.74 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 0.637 mol/L🔬 EPA CTX |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0 atm-m3/mole🔬 EPA CTX |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 0.637 mmHg🔬 EPA CTX |
| Viscosity | 0.997 cP📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 31.121 dyn/cm📊 OPERA |
| Thermal Conductivity | 146.965 mW/(m*K)📊 OPERA |
Molecular Descriptors
| Topological Polar Surface Area | 43.37 Ų💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Donors | 0 count💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Acceptors | 3 count💻 Computed |
| Rotatable Bonds | 3 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 0 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 31.651 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 12.547 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.
