Neryl butyrate (CAS 999-40-6) — Sweet Top to middle Note Fragrance Ingredient

Sweet · Floral

Neryl butyrate

CAS 999-40-6

Origin
synthetic
Note
Top to middle
IFRA
Generally safe
Data as of: Apr 2026

What Is Neryl butyrate?

Neryl butyrate is a synthetic fragrance compound that mimics the fruity-floral character found in nature. You’ll encounter it in perfumes, soaps, and air fresheners where a bright, rosy-fruity note is desired. This ester matters because it provides perfumers with a stable, cost-effective alternative to natural extracts, allowing consistent quality across batches while maintaining a natural-smelling profile.

Safety Profile

GENERALLY SAFE
Generally safeUse with awarenessProfessional use
No major restrictions
Potential mild skin sensitivity
CAS
999-40-6
Formula
Mixture
MW
Variable
Odor Family
Sweet · Floral
Layer 1 · Enthusiast

What Does Neryl butyrate Smell Like?

Neryl butyrate bursts with a juicy, pear-like sweetness underscored by dewy rose petals. The opening is distinctly fruity – imagine biting into a perfectly ripe apricot with hints of pineapple. As it evolves, the floral heart emerges like a bouquet of tea roses dusted with citrus zest. The dry-down reveals a soft, musky-woody base that lingers close to the skin. This ester behaves like sunlight through stained glass – refracting between fruity, floral, and slightly green dimensions.

Scent Profile

In Famous Fragrances

Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.

Chance Eau Tendre(Chanel, 2010)

Used here to amplify the quince-jasmine accord, adding a candied fruitiness that bridges the citrus top and floral heart.

La Vie Est Belle(Lancôme, 2012)

Contributes to the gourmand-floral signature with its peachy-rose character that complements the patchouli base.

Layer 2

2D Molecular Structure

Butanoic acid, (2Z)-3,7-dimethyl-2,6-octadien-1-yl ester

SMILES: CCCC(=O)OC\C=C(\C)CCC=C(C)C

Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide

The Chemistry

Neryl butyrate is a monoterpene ester formed by the condensation of nerol (a cis-isomer of geraniol) with butyric acid. Industrially synthesized via acid-catalyzed esterification, this chiral molecule exists as a single enantiomer in commercial production. The butyrate moiety enhances the molecule’s volatility and fruity character compared to neryl acetate. Being synthetic, it avoids the compositional variability of natural sources while precisely replicating the desired odor profile.

Physical & Chemical Properties

Boiling Point~250 °C (estimated)
Density~0.89 g/cm³ (estimated)

Perfumer Guide

Note Position
Top to middle
Volatility
Moderate (2-4 hours)
Blending
Good
ApplicationTypical %RangeNotes
Fine Fragrance1-3%0.5-5%Adds fruity lift to floral compositions
Soap0.5-1%0.2-2%Stable in alkaline formulations

Classic Accords

+ Peach lactone = Hyper-realistic stone fruit + Phenyl ethyl alcohol = Rosy jam + Bergamot = Sparkling fruit cocktail

Tip: Use in trace amounts (<0.5%) with citrus oils to prevent soapy off-notes.

Alternatives & Comparisons

1
Neryl acetate CAS 141-12-8

For a greener, less fruity rose character with better diffusion.

2
Geranyl butyrate CAS 106-29-6

When a sharper, more citrusy trans-isomer is preferred over the softer cis-configuration.

Layer 3

Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability

⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer

General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.

IFRA Status

No IFRA restrictions (48th Amendment).

RIFM Assessment

Considered safe as used in current fragrance practices (RIFM 2015).

Sustainability

As a synthetic material, neryl butyrate reduces pressure on natural resources while offering consistent quality. Production typically uses bio-derived nerol from turpentine fractions, making it more sustainable than petroleum-based alternatives. The esterification process has been optimized for minimal waste generation.

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References

  1. Bauer et al. (2001). Common Fragrance and Flavor Materials. Wiley-VCH.

Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.

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Physicochemical Properties

DTXSID: DTXSID60883634

Physical Properties

Molecular Weight 224.344 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox
Density 0.895 g/cm^3📊 OPERA
Boiling Point 239.5 °C🔬 EPA CTX
Melting Point -40.827 °C📊 OPERA
Flash Point 99.528 °C📊 OPERA
Refractive Index 1.46 Dimensionless📊 OPERA
Molar Volume 249.944 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA

Partition & Solubility

LogP (Octanol-Water) 4.643 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
LogD (pH 5.5) 4.643 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
LogD (pH 7.4) 4.643 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
LogKoa (Octanol-Air) 7.25 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
Water Solubility 0 mol/L📊 OPERA
Henry's Law Constant 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA

Transport Properties

Vapor Pressure 0.008 mmHg📊 OPERA
Viscosity 3.011 cP📊 OPERA
Surface Tension 27.798 dyn/cm📊 OPERA
Thermal Conductivity 138.481 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 7 count💻 Computed
Aromatic Rings 0 count💻 Computed
Molar Refractivity 68.485 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA
Polarizability 27.15 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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