Ethyl Benzoate (CAS 93-89-0) — Sweet Top Note Fragrance Ingredient
Ethyl Benzoate
CAS 93-89-0
What Is Ethyl Benzoate?
Ethyl benzoate is a fruity-floral ester found naturally in some fruits and flowers, but most commonly encountered as a synthetic fragrance ingredient. It’s used in perfumes, cosmetics, and food flavorings. This versatile molecule adds a sweet, berry-like character with subtle floral undertones to compositions, making it popular across multiple product categories.
Safety Profile
GENERALLY SAFEWhat Does Ethyl Benzoate Smell Like?
Ethyl benzoate bursts with an initial juicy, fruity sweetness reminiscent of ripe raspberries dipped in sugar syrup. As it evolves, a delicate floral character emerges – like rose petals dusted with powdered sugar. The dry-down reveals a soft, slightly powdery benzoin-like warmth that lingers close to the skin. Its transparent quality makes it excellent for building fruity-floral accords without overwhelming other notes.
Scent Profile
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Used as part of the fruity-floral bouquet that softens the aldehydic sparkle, contributing to the legendary complexity.
Adds berry-like sweetness to balance the patchouli base, enhancing the gourmand character.
Provides transparent fruity facets that complement the iris and praline accord.
Contributes to the coffee-cherry accord with its sweet berry character.
Used in the top notes to create a candied floral effect.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: CCOC(=O)C1=CC=CC=C1
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Ethyl benzoate is an ester formed from benzoic acid and ethanol. While it occurs naturally in cherries, strawberries, and some flowers, commercial production typically involves Fischer esterification. The synthesis combines ethanol and benzoic acid with an acid catalyst under reflux. Its simple aromatic ester structure makes it highly stable and versatile in formulations. The planar benzene ring contributes to its diffusion properties while the ester group provides sweetness.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Boiling Point | 212-213 °C |
|---|---|
| Density | 1.046 g/cm³ |
| Refractive Index | 1.505-1.508 |
| Flash Point | 88 °C |
| Solubility | Sparingly soluble in water, miscible with alcohol |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 1-5% | Up to 10% | Used in fruity-floral compositions |
| Soap | 0.5-2% | Up to 3% | Adds fruity character |
| Cosmetics | 0.1-1% | Up to 2% | Used in lip products |
| Food Flavoring | 10-100 ppm | Up to 200 ppm | Berry flavors |
Classic Accords
Tip: Use in trace amounts (0.1-0.5%) to brighten floral compositions without adding noticeable sweetness.
Alternatives & Comparisons
More floral and less sweet, useful when a cleaner, sharper effect is desired.
Higher boiling point for longer-lasting effects, though less fruity.
For warmer, spicier fruity effects in oriental compositions.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. IFRA, REACH, EU Cosmetics Regulation standards update periodically. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating. Not legal or regulatory advice.
IFRA Status
No restrictions under IFRA standards.
RIFM Assessment
Evaluated by RIFM and considered safe for current use levels.
Sustainability
As a synthetic material, ethyl benzoate production has minimal environmental impact when proper manufacturing controls are in place. It’s typically produced from petrochemical feedstocks, though bio-based routes using fermentation-derived ethanol are becoming available. Its efficiency means relatively small quantities are needed in formulations.
Explore Ethyl Benzoate
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References
- Burdock, G.A. (2010). Fenaroli’s Handbook of Flavor Ingredients. CRC Press. ISBN 9781439817408
- Arctander, S. (1969). Perfume and Flavor Chemicals. Allured Publishing. ASIN B0006BX8AK
- Poucher, W.A. (1993). Poucher’s Perfumes, Cosmetics and Soaps. Springer. ISBN 978-94-011-1486-8
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Mar 2026.
Report a data errorIngredient Data Sheet
CAS 93-89-0Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 150.17 g/mol🔬 PubChem |
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 2.6🔬 PubChem |
| Boiling Point | 75.5 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Vapor Pressure | 0.26 mmHg @ 25°C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 88 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Involatility Index | 0.0229💻 Calculated |
| log Kp (skin permeability) | -1.77💻 Calculated |
| SMILES | CCOC(=O)C1=CC=CC=C1🔬 PubChem |
Volatility & Performance
| Fragrance Note | Top💻 Calculated |
| Volatility Class | Slow💻 Calculated |
| Persistence Score | 1 / 5💻 Calculated |
Odor & Flavor
| Primary Descriptors | floralfruity• leffingwell |
| Functional Groups | esteretheraromatic💻 RDKit |
| “It is interesting to note ‘C—C00+H6 that Benzene derivatives are components of such common food as bread, when earlier it AH was generally believed that Benzol derivatives wo were rarely found in Nature (or in food). Warm, floral-fruity, somewhat heavy odor, FCC- I964-819.”📖 Arctander | |
| Ethyl benzoate has a somewhat fruity odor similar to ylang-ylang but milder than methyl benzoate.📖 Fenaroli | |
Flavor Notes (Arctander)
| “Sweet, somewhat heavy-fruity taste, remotely reminiscent of Black currant and Grape. Finds extensive use in flavor compositions, ranging from imitation Banana, Blackcurrant and Cherry to Plum and Tobacco, Nut, Walnut and Liqueur. Also for Gooseberry, Cranberry, Strawberry, Currant, Vanilla and vario”📖 Arctander |
Sensory Thresholds
| Odor Detection Threshold | 0.7097 ppm (n=12)📖 van Gemert |
Regulatory Status
| FEMA Number | FEMA 2422⚖️ FEMA GRAS |
| GRAS Status | Generally Recognized as Safe⚖️ FEMA GRAS |
| IOFI Classification | Nature Identical📖 Fenaroli |
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: DTXSID3038696
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 150.177 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 1.046 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX |
| Boiling Point | 192.75 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Melting Point | -33.827 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Flash Point | 87.45 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Refractive Index | 1.505 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 143.833 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 2.636 Log10 unitless🔬 EPA CTX |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 2.629 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 2.629 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 4.83 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 0.005 mol/L🔬 EPA CTX |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0 atm-m3/mole🔬 EPA CTX |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 0.239 mmHg🔬 EPA CTX |
| Viscosity | 2.272 cP📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 34.986 dyn/cm📊 OPERA |
| Thermal Conductivity | 142.02 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 | 2 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 1 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 42.659 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 16.911 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.
