Ethyl laurate (CAS 106-33-2) — Sweet Middle Note Fragrance Ingredient
Ethyl laurate
CAS 106-33-2
What Is Ethyl laurate?
Ethyl laurate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient commonly found in perfumes, soaps, and cosmetic products. It contributes a fruity, waxy, and slightly floral aroma that enhances various scent profiles. This ester is valued for its ability to add a subtle sweetness and depth to fragrances, making it a versatile component in both fine and functional perfumery.
Safety Profile
GENERALLY SAFEWhat Does Ethyl laurate Smell Like?
Ethyl laurate presents a delicate, fruity bouquet with waxy undertones, reminiscent of ripe apples and fresh pears. Its top note is light and slightly floral, evolving into a heart of creamy, coconut-like nuances. The dry-down reveals a soft, musky base that lingers subtly. This ingredient adds a clean, polished finish to fragrances, making it ideal for fresh and floral compositions.
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Used to enhance the floral bouquet with a subtle fruity-waxy accent, adding depth to the iconic aldehydic top notes.
Contributes to the luminous floral-fruity harmony, blending seamlessly with ylang-ylang and pear notes.
Adds a crisp, fresh fruitiness to the citrus top notes, enhancing the overall brightness.
Provides a soft, waxy sweetness that complements the explosive floral heart.
Used to round out the gourmand facets with a creamy, fruity nuance.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: CCCCCCCCCCCC(=O)OCC
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Ethyl laurate is an ester formed by the condensation of ethanol and lauric acid. It belongs to the class of fatty acid esters, commonly synthesized via Fischer esterification. This compound is typically produced industrially for use in fragrances and flavorings. Its simple structure contributes to its stability and mild odor profile, making it a versatile ingredient in perfumery.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Boiling Point | 269 °C |
|---|---|
| Density | 0.862 g/cm³ |
| Flash Point | >100 °C |
| Refractive Index | 1.432 |
| Solubility | Insoluble in water, soluble in alcohol and oils |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 1-5% | Up to 10% | Adds fruity-waxy nuances |
| Soap & Detergent | 0.5-3% | Up to 5% | Provides mild, fresh scent |
| Cosmetics | 0.1-2% | Up to 3% | Enhances floral-fruity profiles |
| Candles | 1-4% | Up to 6% | Contributes to warm, waxy base |
Classic Accords
Tip: Use ethyl laurate to smooth out harsh top notes and add a subtle fruity depth to floral compositions.
Alternatives & Comparisons
Offers a similar waxy-fruity profile but with a slightly heavier, more coconut-like character.
Provides a lighter, more citrusy fruity note, ideal for fresh fragrances.
Delivers a sharper, more herbal-fruity nuance, suitable for green accords.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.
IFRA Status
No restrictions under IFRA standards. Ethyl laurate is considered safe for use in all fragrance categories.
RIFM Assessment
RIFM has assessed ethyl laurate as safe for use in fragrances with no significant risk at current usage levels.
Sustainability
Ethyl laurate is typically synthesized from renewable resources like ethanol and lauric acid, which can be derived from plant oils. Its production has a relatively low environmental impact, and it is biodegradable. Synthetic production ensures consistent quality and reduces reliance on natural extraction methods.
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References
- PubChem. Ethyl laurate. National Library of Medicine. PubChem CID: 7809
- Burdock, G.A. (2010). Fenaroli’s Handbook of Flavor Ingredients. CRC Press. ISBN 978-1-4200-9077-2
- IFRA Standards Library. (2023). International Fragrance Association. IFRA
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.
Report a data errorIngredient Data Sheet
CAS 106-33-2Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 228.37 g/mol🔬 PubChem |
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 5.6🔬 PubChem |
| Boiling Point | 269 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Flash Point | 118.6 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| log Kp (skin permeability) | -0.117💻 Calculated |
| SMILES | CCCCCCCCCCCC(=O)OCC🔬 PubChem |
Volatility & Performance
| Fragrance Note | Heart💻 Calculated |
Odor & Flavor
| Primary Descriptors | fattyfloralfruitywaxy• leffingwell |
| Functional Groups | esterether💻 RDKit |
| “ing waxy-oily-green notes, simulating the odor of flower petals, etc. Traces may also be used in artificial Cognac oils for perfumery use.”📖 Arctander | |
| Ethyl laurate has a floral, fruity odor.📖 Fenaroli | |
Flavor Notes (Arctander)
| “Fatty-fruity, not very sweet taste. The ester is used in flavor compositions for imitation Berry, Cheese, Coconut, Cognac, Fruit (complexes), Liqueur flavors, Grape, Nut, Nutmeg, Rum, Spice blends, etc.”📖 Arctander |
Sensory Thresholds
| Odor Detection Threshold | 3.2553 ppm (n=11)📖 van Gemert |
Regulatory Status
| FEMA Number | FEMA 2441⚖️ 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: DTXSID4047044
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 228.376 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 0.862 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX |
| Boiling Point | 270 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Melting Point | -7 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Flash Point | 115.875 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Refractive Index | 1.435 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 263.112 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 5.71 Log10 unitless🔬 EPA CTX |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 5.76 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 5.76 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 7.25 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 0 mol/L📊 OPERA |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0.001 atm-m3/mole🔬 EPA CTX |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 0.004 mmHg📊 OPERA |
| Viscosity | 3.277 cP📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 28.608 dyn/cm📊 OPERA |
| Thermal Conductivity | 145.23 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 | 11 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 0 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 68.684 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 27.228 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.
