Ethyl sorbate (CAS 2396-84-1) — Green Top Note Fragrance Ingredient
Ethyl sorbate
CAS 2396-84-1
What Is Ethyl sorbate?
Ethyl sorbate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient primarily used in perfumery and flavoring. It’s found in fruity scents and some cosmetic products. This ester contributes fresh, green apple-like notes that enhance modern fragrance compositions.
Safety Profile
GENERALLY SAFEWhat Does Ethyl sorbate Smell Like?
Ethyl sorbate bursts with crisp, green apple peel freshness that evolves into a juicy pear-like heart. The top note has a slightly tart, unripe fruit character reminiscent of gooseberries. As it dries down, it reveals a softer, almost floral undertone with a clean, slightly waxy finish. The overall effect is bright and uplifting, making it excellent for creating modern fruity-floral accords.
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Used as the primary top note to create a hyper-realistic green apple effect, combined with cis-3-hexenol for leafiness.
Provides the crisp apple-pear transition note that bridges citrus top notes to floral heart.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: CCOC(=O)\C=C\C=C\C
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Ethyl sorbate is an ester formed from sorbic acid and ethanol. As a synthetic material, it’s typically produced through acid-catalyzed esterification. The molecule features a conjugated diene system that contributes to its fresh, fruity odor character. Its relatively small molecular weight gives it good volatility for top note applications.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Boiling Point | Approx. 195-200°C |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Colorless to pale yellow liquid |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 0.5-3% | Up to 5% | Fruity top note accent |
| Functional Fragrance | 0.1-1% | Up to 2% | Freshness booster |
Classic Accords
Tip: Combine with cis-3-hexenol for enhanced green apple realism.
Alternatives & Comparisons
More intense apple character but less fresh green quality.
Softer, riper apple note with less tartness.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.
IFRA Status
No IFRA restrictions apply.
RIFM Assessment
Considered safe for current use levels in fragrance applications.
Sustainability
As a synthetic material, ethyl sorbate has minimal environmental impact in production. Its efficient synthesis from readily available precursors makes it a sustainable choice for fruity notes compared to some natural extracts.
Explore Ethyl sorbate
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References
- Burdock, G.A. (2010). Fenaroli’s Handbook of Flavor Ingredients. CRC Press.
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.
Report a data errorPhysicochemical Properties
DTXSID: DTXSID80883712
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 140.182 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 0.933 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX |
| Boiling Point | 196 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Melting Point | 0.628 °C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 69.275 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Refractive Index | 1.454 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 151.301 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 2.417 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 2.417 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 2.417 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 4.14 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 0.048 mol/L📊 OPERA |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 0.95 mmHg📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 27.387 dyn/cm📊 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 | 3 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 0 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 41.002 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 16.255 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.
