Ethyl pyruvate (CAS 617-35-6) — Sweet Top Note Fragrance Ingredient
Ethyl pyruvate
CAS 617-35-6
What Is Ethyl pyruvate?
Ethyl pyruvate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient with a fruity, wine-like aroma. It’s occasionally used in perfumes and flavorings to add a sweet, ethereal quality. This ester matters because it can create unique top notes that bridge fruity and alcoholic nuances, offering perfumers a versatile tool for modern compositions.
Safety Profile
GENERALLY SAFEWhat Does Ethyl pyruvate Smell Like?
Ethyl pyruvate bursts with a bright, effervescent character reminiscent of sparkling wine meeting ripe strawberries. The initial impression is sharply fruity with a champagne-like effervescence that quickly softens into a creamy, lactonic heart. As it dries down, it reveals subtle caramelized sugar nuances with a whisper of buttery undertones, leaving a delicate sweet-tart impression that lingers close to the skin.
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Used to enhance the citrusy-fruity opening with its sparkling wine-like quality, adding effervescence to the bergamot and apple notes.
Contributes to the delicate fruity-floral bouquet, blending seamlessly with quince and jasmine for a luminous, youthful effect.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: CCOC(=O)C(C)=O
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Ethyl pyruvate is an ester formed from pyruvic acid and ethanol. As a keto ester, it contains both ester and ketone functional groups, which contribute to its complex odor profile. Industrially, it’s synthesized through esterification of pyruvic acid with ethanol under acidic conditions. The compound’s chirality (it exists as R and S enantiomers) can influence its olfactory properties, though the racemic mixture is most commonly used in fragrance applications.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Boiling Point | 144-146 °C |
|---|---|
| Density | 1.06 g/cm³ |
| Refractive Index | 1.405 |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 0.5-2% | Up to 5% | Adds sparkling fruity accents |
| Functional Fragrance | 0.1-0.5% | Up to 1% | Used sparingly for fruity top notes |
Classic Accords
Tip: Use in trace amounts to brighten fruity compositions without overwhelming the blend.
Alternatives & Comparisons
Offers similar fruity character but creamier, less sharp. Use when a softer, more buttery effect is desired.
Provides more intense strawberry-like notes when a sweeter, jammy fruit effect is needed.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.
IFRA Status
Not currently restricted by IFRA standards.
RIFM Assessment
No specific RIFM assessment found. Generally considered safe at current usage levels.
Sustainability
As a synthetic material, ethyl pyruvate has consistent quality and doesn’t rely on agricultural production. Its synthesis from bio-derived pyruvic acid could potentially offer renewable sourcing options in the future. The environmental impact is relatively low due to efficient production processes and biodegradability.
Explore Ethyl pyruvate
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References
- Burdock, G.A. (2010). Fenaroli’s Handbook of Flavor Ingredients. CRC Press. ISBN 9781420090772
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.
Report a data errorPhysicochemical Properties
DTXSID: DTXSID2060674
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 116.116 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 1.05 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX |
| Boiling Point | 148.75 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Melting Point | -54 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Flash Point | 54 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Refractive Index | 1.399 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 111.671 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 0.435 Log10 unitless🔬 EPA CTX |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 0.145 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 0.145 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 4.02 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 0.882 mol/L📊 OPERA |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 1.77 mmHg🔬 EPA CTX |
| Viscosity | 0.891 cP📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 30.637 dyn/cm📊 OPERA |
| Thermal Conductivity | 150.239 mW/(m*K)📊 OPERA |
Molecular Descriptors
| Topological Polar Surface Area | 43.37 Ų💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Donors | 0 count💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Acceptors | 3 count💻 Computed |
| Rotatable Bonds | 2 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 0 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 27.018 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 10.711 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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