Methyl N-methylanthranilate (CAS 85-91-6) — Floral Middle Note Fragrance Ingredient
Methyl N-methylanthranilate
CAS 85-91-6
What Is Methyl N-methylanthranilate?
Methyl N-methylanthranilate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient that smells like orange blossoms and grapes. You’ll find it in citrusy perfumes, fruity body sprays, and some grape-flavored candies. This molecule matters because it creates the signature ‘neroli’ scent without using natural orange blossoms, making fragrances more affordable and consistent year-round.
Safety Profile
GENERALLY SAFEWhat Does Methyl N-methylanthranilate Smell Like?
A radiant burst of sun-warmed orange blossoms with a juicy grape undercurrent. Opens with a sparkling citrus-floral lift that gradually mellows into a soft, powdery grape-like sweetness. The dry-down reveals a subtle musky-animalic nuance that adds depth. Unlike natural neroli, it maintains remarkable stability on skin, persisting as a luminous floral-fruity veil for hours.
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Used as the synthetic neroli heart in this historic cologne, providing consistent floralcy that natural neroli oil couldn’t guarantee year-round.
Amplifies the orange blossom theme while adding a candied grape nuance that makes this modern interpretation distinctly playful.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: CNC1=C(C=CC=C1)C(=O)OC
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
An ester derivative of anthranilic acid, methyl N-methylanthranilate belongs to the aromatic amine class. Industrially synthesized via esterification of N-methylanthranilic acid with methanol. The methyl group on the nitrogen prevents hydrogen bonding, increasing volatility compared to unsubstituted anthranilates. Lacks chirality due to its planar structure.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Appearance | Colorless to pale yellow liquid |
|---|---|
| Boiling Point | 256-258 °C |
| Density | 1.12 g/cm³ |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 1-3% | Up to 5% | Neroli reconstructions |
| Flavorings | 10-50 ppm | Up to 100 ppm | Grape flavors |
Classic Accords
Tip: Use with citrus top notes to prevent the grape aspect from dominating.
Alternatives & Comparisons
Less intense grape character, more floral. Preferred when a softer neroli effect is desired.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.
IFRA Status
No restrictions under IFRA 49th Amendment. Maximum 0.1% in leave-on products recommended by some manufacturers.
GHS Classification
RIFM Assessment
RIFM assessment confirms safe use at current industry levels.
Sustainability
Synthetic production avoids agricultural land use and seasonal variability of natural neroli. Manufacturing typically uses green chemistry principles with >80% atom economy. No known ecological toxicity concerns at usage levels.
Explore Methyl N-methylanthranilate
Browse essential oils and aroma compounds.
Browse on iHerb →Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
References
- Bauer et al. (2001). Common Fragrance and Flavor Materials. Wiley-VCH.
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.
Report a data errorIngredient Data Sheet
CAS 85-91-6Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 165.19 g/mol🔬 PubChem |
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 2.3🔬 PubChem |
| Boiling Point | 256 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Vapor Pressure | 0.0206 mmHg @ 25°C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 91 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Involatility Index | 0.0017💻 Calculated |
| log Kp (skin permeability) | -2.075💻 Calculated |
| SMILES | CNC1=CC=CC=C1C(=O)OC🔬 PubChem |
Volatility & Performance
| Fragrance Note | Heart💻 Calculated |
| Volatility Class | Very slow💻 Calculated |
| Persistence Score | 2.7 / 5💻 Calculated |
Odor & Flavor
| Primary Descriptors | floralorangesweet• leffingwell |
| Functional Groups | esteretheraromaticamine💻 RDKit |
| “Musty-floral, sweet and rather heavy Orangeblossom-Mandarin-peel like odor, winy-fruity undertones. Fair to good tenacity. Overall less harsh than Methylantranilate. It should be added to the last remark that certain brands of Methylantranilate appear on the market in exceptionally high grade of”📖 Arctander | |
| Methyl-n-methylanthranilate has an orange and mandarin-peel-like odor and a musty, grape-like flavor; somewhat more berry-like than grape.📖 Fenaroli | |
Flavor Notes (Arctander)
| “The taste of this ester is somewhat milder and softer than that of Methylanthranilate, not quite as typical of "Concord"-grapes, more "berry"-like. It is also possible to use this ester at much higher concentration without the risk of producing an overly "chemical" taste. It is also used widely in f”📖 Arctander |
Sensory Thresholds
| Odor Detection Threshold | 0.349 ppm📖 van Gemert |
Regulatory Status
| IFRA Listed | Yes — see IFRA Standards for category limits⚖️ IFRA 51 |
| FEMA Number | FEMA 2718⚖️ 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: DTXSID1052581
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 165.192 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 1.129 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX |
| Boiling Point | 255.786 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Melting Point | 18.643 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Flash Point | 93.37 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Refractive Index | 1.562 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 146.782 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 2.947 Log10 unitless🔬 EPA CTX |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 1.873 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 1.889 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 7.75 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 0.002 mol/L🔬 EPA CTX |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 0.021 mmHg🔬 EPA CTX |
| Viscosity | 5.002 cP📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 40.819 dyn/cm📊 OPERA |
| Thermal Conductivity | 149.054 mW/(m*K)📊 OPERA |
Molecular Descriptors
| Topological Polar Surface Area | 38.33 Ų💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Donors | 1 count💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Acceptors | 3 count💻 Computed |
| Rotatable Bonds | 2 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 1 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 47.635 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 18.884 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.
