Methyl 2-nonenoate (CAS 111-79-5) — Green Top Note Fragrance Ingredient
Methyl 2-nonenoate
CAS 111-79-5
What Is Methyl 2-nonenoate?
Methyl 2-nonenoate is a synthetic ester used in perfumery for its fruity, green aroma. It’s found in fragrances aiming for fresh, tropical, or melon-like top notes. This ingredient matters because it provides a crisp, modern fruitiness that’s less sweet than traditional esters, making it popular in contemporary aquatic and fresh fougère compositions.
Safety Profile
GENERALLY SAFEWhat Does Methyl 2-nonenoate Smell Like?
Methyl 2-nonenoate bursts with a juicy, underripe melon character – imagine biting into a green honeydew that’s still on the vine. The top note has a crisp, almost cucumber-like freshness that gradually softens into a more rounded tropical fruitiness. Over hours, it settles into a subtle green-waxy background, like the rind of a cantaloupe left in the sun.
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Used here to create the illusion of water droplets on citrus leaves, enhancing the fragrance’s signature ‘liquid freshness’ with its green-fruity facets.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: CCCCCCC=CC(=O)OC
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Methyl 2-nonenoate is a C10 unsaturated ester synthesized via esterification of 2-nonenoic acid with methanol. Its double bond at position 2 creates distinctive odor properties compared to saturated analogues. Industrially produced through acid-catalyzed reactions, this molecule exemplifies how small structural changes (E/Z isomerism, chain length) dramatically alter olfactory characteristics in ester chemistry.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Boiling Point | 198 °C |
|---|---|
| Density | 0.885 g/cm³ |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 0.5-2% | Up to 5% | Fresh top note accent |
| Functional Fragrance | 0.1-0.5% | Up to 1% | Shampoos, body washes |
Classic Accords
Tip: Use with citrus top notes to enhance diffusion and prolong freshness.
Alternatives & Comparisons
Similar profile but slightly more tropical and less green. Preferred when a sweeter fruit character is desired.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.
IFRA Status
No restrictions under IFRA Standards.
RIFM Assessment
RIFM assessment confirms safe use at current industry levels.
Sustainability
As a synthetic material, production has minimal environmental impact compared to natural alternatives. Manufacturers are increasingly adopting green chemistry principles in ester production to reduce energy use and byproducts.
Explore Methyl 2-nonenoate
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References
- Burdock, G.A. (2010). Fenaroli’s Handbook of Flavor Ingredients. CRC Press. ISBN 978-1-4200-9077-2
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.
Report a data errorPhysicochemical Properties
DTXSID: DTXSID8047638
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 170.252 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 0.9 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX |
| Boiling Point | 209.9 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Melting Point | -89.9 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Flash Point | 92.501 °C📊 OPERA |
| Refractive Index | 1.44 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 190.7 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 3.659 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 3.659 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 3.659 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 5.06 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 0.002 mol/L📊 OPERA |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 0.09 mmHg📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 28.378 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 | 6 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 0 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 50.21 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 19.905 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.
