Ethyl formate (CAS 109-94-4) — Citrus Top Note Fragrance Ingredient
Ethyl formate
CAS 109-94-4
What Is Ethyl formate?
Ethyl formate is a synthetic ester commonly used in fruit flavorings and fragrances. Its fruity, slightly rum-like aroma makes it popular in both food and cosmetic applications. This ingredient matters because it provides a cost-effective alternative to natural fruit essences while delivering consistent performance in formulations.
Safety Profile
GENERALLY SAFEWhat Does Ethyl formate Smell Like?
Ethyl formate bursts with a bright, effervescent fruitiness reminiscent of overripe apples and pineapple skins. The initial impression is like biting into a slightly fermented peach, with a sharp, almost fizzy top note that gradually softens into a warm, rum-like sweetness. Over time, it reveals a subtle green undertone, like the stem end of a freshly picked berry.
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Used for its sparkling fruity top note that complements the citrus opening, creating a champagne-like effervescence.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: CCOC=O
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Ethyl formate is the ethyl ester of formic acid. It’s produced industrially by esterification of ethanol with formic acid in the presence of acid catalysts. This simple ester is widely used as a flavor and fragrance ingredient due to its volatile nature and fruity aroma profile.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Boiling Point | 54 °C |
|---|---|
| Flash Point | -20 °C |
| Density | 0.917 g/cm³ |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 0.5-2% | Up to 5% | Used for sparkling fruity effects |
| Functional Fragrance | 0.1-1% | Up to 3% | Air fresheners and cleaners |
Classic Accords
Tip: Best used in small quantities to avoid overwhelming compositions with its intense fruity character.
Alternatives & Comparisons
For a less fruity, more solvent-like character when a cleaner top note is desired.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.
IFRA Status
Not restricted under current IFRA standards.
GHS Classification
RIFM Assessment
RIFM safety assessment confirms safe use at current levels in fragrances.
Sustainability
As a synthetic material, ethyl formate has consistent quality and doesn’t depend on agricultural cycles. Production is energy efficient compared to some natural extracts, though it derives from petrochemical feedstocks.
Explore Ethyl formate
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References
- Fenaroli’s Handbook of Flavor Ingredients (6th Edition) ISBN 9781439839135
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.
Report a data errorIngredient Data Sheet
CAS 109-94-4Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 74.08 g/mol🔬 PubChem |
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 0.5🔬 PubChem |
| Boiling Point | 54.2 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Vapor Pressure | 200 mmHg @ 25°C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | -20 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Involatility Index | 25.0442💻 Calculated |
| log Kp (skin permeability) | -2.797💻 Calculated |
| SMILES | CCOC=O🔬 PubChem |
Volatility & Performance
| Fragrance Note | Top💻 Calculated |
| Volatility Class | Very fast💻 Calculated |
| Persistence Score | 0.5 / 5💻 Calculated |
Odor & Flavor
| Primary Descriptors | etherealfruityrum• leffingwell |
| Functional Groups | ether💻 RDKit |
| “12° soluble in water, miscible with alcohol and oils, soluble in Propylene glycol and Glycerin. Easily hydrolyzed in presence of traces of water. The ester should be stored with a small amount of anhydrous Sodium sulfate. Pleasant, ethereal, diffusive, warm-fruity Rum-like odor.”📖 Arctander | |
| Ethyl formate has a characteristic, pungent odor similar to ethyl acetate and reminiscent of pineapple and a slightly bitter taste. It has been also reported to have a rumlike odor.📖 Fenaroli | |
Flavor Notes (Arctander)
| “Sweet-ethereal, fruity taste in water. Comparatively weak. It is used very extensively in flavor compositions for imitation Peach, Pineapple, Apple, Apricot, Banana, Berry, Butter, Butterscotch, Brandy, Grape, Plum, Rum, Sherry-wine, Whisky, Tutti-frutti, etc.”📖 Arctander |
Sensory Thresholds
| Odor Detection Threshold | 35.3485 ppm (n=9)📖 van Gemert |
Regulatory Status
| FEMA Number | FEMA 2434⚖️ 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: DTXSID6040117
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 74.079 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 1.075 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX |
| Boiling Point | 53.997 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Melting Point | -77.083 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Flash Point | -19.97 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Refractive Index | 1.356 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 81.737 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 0.326 Log10 unitless🔬 EPA CTX |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 0.278 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 0.278 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 2.19 Log10 unitless🔬 EPA CTX |
| Water Solubility | 1.351 mol/L🔬 EPA CTX |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0.001 atm-m3/mole🔬 EPA CTX |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 223.803 mmHg🔬 EPA CTX |
| Viscosity | 0.466 cP📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 24.056 dyn/cm📊 OPERA |
| Thermal Conductivity | 153.689 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 | 0 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 17.88 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 7.088 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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