Ethyl propanoate (CAS 105-37-3) — Fruity Top Note Fragrance Ingredient
Ethyl propanoate
CAS 105-37-3
What Is Ethyl propanoate?
Ethyl propanoate is a fruity-smelling ester commonly found in artificial flavorings and fragrances. You might encounter it in candy, gum, or fruity perfumes. This ingredient matters because it adds bright, juicy top notes to fragrances, creating that initial burst of freshness that makes scents appealing.
Safety Profile
GENERALLY SAFEWhat Does Ethyl propanoate Smell Like?
Ethyl propanoate bursts forth with a vibrant, effervescent fruitiness reminiscent of freshly cut pineapple and ripe raspberries. Its top note is intensely juicy – like popping candy dissolving on the tongue – with a slightly fermented undertone that adds complexity. As it evolves, the scent softens into a candied apple character, leaving behind a faint rum-like warmth. The dry-down is clean and slightly waxy, like fruit-scented crayons.
Scent Profile
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Used as the primary pineapple accord, creating a photorealistic tropical fruit opening that lasts surprisingly long for such a volatile ester.
Contributes to the signature pineapple top note, blended with blackcurrant to create a sophisticated fruity-chypre effect.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: CCOC(=O)CC
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Ethyl propanoate is an ester formed from ethanol and propanoic acid. Industrially produced via Fischer esterification with acid catalysis. The simple three-carbon structure makes it highly volatile, contributing to its role as a top note. Lacks chiral centers, existing as a single stereoisomer. Commonly synthesized for both flavor and fragrance applications due to its cost-effectiveness.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Boiling Point | 99 °C |
|---|---|
| Density | 0.891 g/cm³ |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 0.5-2% | Up to 5% | Used sparingly for fruity top notes |
| Functional Fragrance | 1-3% | Up to 10% | Higher levels in air fresheners and cleaning products |
Classic Accords
Tip: Stabilize with antioxidants to prevent ester hydrolysis in aqueous systems.
Alternatives & Comparisons
More intense pineapple character with longer persistence, but can become cloying at higher concentrations.
For apple-like fruity notes with greater diffusion power.
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 IFRA restrictions – unrestricted use.
RIFM Assessment
RIFM assessment confirms safety at current usage levels.
Sustainability
Synthesized from petrochemical feedstocks but requires minimal energy input. Not known to bioaccumulate. Considered sustainable alternative to natural fruit extracts which require agricultural land and processing.
Explore Ethyl propanoate
Browse essential oils and aroma compounds.
Browse on iHerb →Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
References
- Burdock, G.A. (2010). Fenaroli’s Handbook of Flavor Ingredients. CRC Press.
- Arctander, S. (1969). Perfume and Flavor Chemicals. Allured Publishing.
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Mar 2026.
Report a data errorIngredient Data Sheet
CAS 105-37-3Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 102.13 g/mol🔬 PubChem |
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 1.2🔬 PubChem |
| Boiling Point | 98.9 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Vapor Pressure | 35.9 mmHg @ 25°C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 12.2 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Involatility Index | 3.8287💻 Calculated |
| log Kp (skin permeability) | -2.471💻 Calculated |
| SMILES | CCC(=O)OCC🔬 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 | esterether💻 RDKit |
| “Very volatile, ethereal, fruity-rum-like odor.”📖 Arctander | |
| Ethyl propionate has an odor reminiscent of rum and pineapple.📖 Fenaroli | |
Flavor Notes (Arctander)
| “2% soluble in water, miscible with alcohol, perfume and flavor oils. Vapors form explosive mixtures with air - flammable material. Sweet, fruity-ethereal, rum-like taste. The flavor effect in aqueous media is weak. The fruity taste is reminiscent of Apple and Banana. Widely used in flavor compositio”📖 Arctander |
Sensory Thresholds
| Odor Detection Threshold | 0.0376 ppm (n=5)📖 van Gemert |
Regulatory Status
| FEMA Number | FEMA 2456⚖️ 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: DTXSID1040110
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 102.133 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 0.888 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX |
| Boiling Point | 99.081 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Melting Point | -68.159 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Flash Point | 11.49 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Refractive Index | 1.387 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 114.551 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 1.217 Log10 unitless🔬 EPA CTX |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 1.295 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 1.295 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 3.15 Log10 unitless🔬 EPA CTX |
| Water Solubility | 0.213 mol/L🔬 EPA CTX |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0 atm-m3/mole🔬 EPA CTX |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 36.486 mmHg🔬 EPA CTX |
| Viscosity | 0.545 cP📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 24.618 dyn/cm📊 OPERA |
| Thermal Conductivity | 139.046 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 | 26.988 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 10.699 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.
![Bicyclo[3.1.1]heptane-2-ethanol, 6,6-dimethyl- (CAS 4747-61-9) — Woody Middle Note Fragrance Ingredient](https://thegoodscents.company/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/bicyclo-3-1-1-heptane-2-ethanol-6-6-dimethyl-1-1-768x439.webp)
