Ethyl anthranilate (CAS 87-25-2) — Sweet Top to middle Note Fragrance Ingredient
Ethyl anthranilate
CAS 87-25-2
What Is Ethyl anthranilate?
Ethyl anthranilate is a synthetic fragrance compound that mimics the sweet, grape-like aroma found in nature. You’ll encounter it in perfumes, flavored candies, and some fruity body products. This ingredient matters because it’s a workhorse in creating realistic fruit accords, especially grape and orange blossom effects, while being more stable than some natural alternatives.
Safety Profile
GENERALLY SAFEWhat Does Ethyl anthranilate Smell Like?
Ethyl anthranilate bursts with an intensely sweet, candy-like grape character reminiscent of childhood bubblegum. The top note has a sparkling quality that evolves into a warmer, honeyed orange blossom heart. As it dries down, a subtle powdery-musky nuance emerges, like grape skins left to macerate in sunlight. The dry-down retains a persistent fruity sweetness with a faintly animalic edge that adds complexity.
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Uses ethyl anthranilate as the primary grape accord, creating a photorealistic candy-like fruitiness that’s playful yet sophisticated.
Blends ethyl anthranilate’s sweet facets with musk to create a luminous orange blossom effect that contrasts with the dark base.
Amplifies the fruity-radiant character through ethyl anthranilate’s grape-like top notes against a woody-berry backdrop.
Uses it sparingly to enhance the citrus top with a subtle juicy quality that bridges to floral heart notes.
Features ethyl anthranilate prominently for its candy-like sweetness that complements the cupcake accord.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: CCOC(=O)C1=C(N)C=CC=C1
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Ethyl anthranilate is an ester formed from anthranilic acid and ethanol. As an aromatic ester, it belongs to the same chemical family as methyl anthranilate but with different volatility and odor characteristics. Industrial synthesis typically involves Fischer esterification under acidic conditions. The planar aromatic ring contributes to its stability while the ester group provides fruity odor characteristics. Unlike some fruity esters, ethyl anthranilate has notable persistence due to moderate vapor pressure and molecular weight.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Boiling Point | 266 °C |
|---|---|
| Density | 1.117 g/cm³ |
| Refractive Index | 1.561-1.565 |
| Flash Point | >100 °C |
| Solubility | Slightly soluble in water, miscible in ethanol |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 0.5-2% | Up to 5% | Fruit/floral modifier |
| Body Care | 0.1-0.5% | Up to 1% | Sweetness enhancer |
| Candles | 1-3% | Up to 5% | Heat-stable fruity note |
| Flavorings | 10-50 ppm | Up to 100 ppm | Grape/orange nuance |
Classic Accords
Tip: Stabilize in ethanol before adding to water-based systems to prevent hydrolysis.
Alternatives & Comparisons
More orange blossom character with less sweetness; better for neroli reconstructions.
For a fresher, less powdery grape effect with apple undertones.
When a caramelized fruit rather than candy-like effect is desired.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.
IFRA Status
No IFRA restrictions. Listed on IFRA Transparency List with no usage limits specified.
EU Allergen Declaration
Not listed as an EU allergen.
GHS Classification
RIFM Assessment
RIFM assessment concludes safe use at current levels based on available data (FMR No. 6585).
Sustainability
As a synthetic material, ethyl anthranilate avoids agricultural impacts but depends on petrochemical feedstocks. Production via green chemistry methods is being explored. Biodegradation studies show moderate environmental persistence. Preferred over some natural alternatives for consistent quality and reduced land use.
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References
- Burdock, G.A. (2010). Fenaroli’s Handbook of Flavor Ingredients. CRC Press. ISBN 9780849330346
- Arctander, S. (1969). Perfume and Flavor Chemicals. Allured Publishing. Allured 1969
- EPA Safer Choice Criteria for Fragrances (2021) EPA 2021
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.
Report a data errorPhysicochemical Properties
DTXSID: DTXSID6025272
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 165.192 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 1.117 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX |
| Boiling Point | 267.926 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Melting Point | 13.648 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Flash Point | 126.061 °C📊 OPERA |
| Refractive Index | 1.555 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 146.113 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 2.57 Log10 unitless🔬 EPA CTX |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 2.476 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 2.481 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 8.39 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 0.006 mol/L📊 OPERA |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 0.002 mmHg🔬 EPA CTX |
| Viscosity | 6.233 cP📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 44.671 dyn/cm📊 OPERA |
| Thermal Conductivity | 160.947 mW/(m*K)📊 OPERA |
Molecular Descriptors
| Topological Polar Surface Area | 52.32 Ų💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Donors | 1 count💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Acceptors | 3 count💻 Computed |
| Rotatable Bonds | 2 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 1 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 46.895 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 18.591 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.
