Nonyl acetate (CAS 143-13-5) — Sweet Top Note Fragrance Ingredient
Nonyl acetate
CAS 143-13-5
What Is Nonyl acetate?
Nonyl acetate is a synthetic ester used in perfumery for its fruity, slightly floral aroma reminiscent of pear and citrus. It’s commonly found in household products like air fresheners and cleaning agents. This ingredient matters because it provides an affordable, stable fruity note that blends well with both floral and woody accords, making it versatile for mass-market fragrances.
Safety Profile
GENERALLY SAFEWhat Does Nonyl acetate Smell Like?
Nonyl acetate opens with a burst of ripe pear and Meyer lemon, sugared like hard candy. The heart reveals a waxy undertone akin to apple skins, drying down to a clean laundry musk. Unlike simpler fruity esters, it carries surprising tenacity—a three-hour evolution from supermarket produce aisle to sun-dried cotton sheets.
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Used here to amplify the citrus top notes with a pear-like juiciness, creating a dewy effect that transitions seamlessly into herbal heart notes.
Provides a rain-soaked fruitiness that blends with melon and cardamom, mimicking monsoon humidity on tropical vegetation.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: CCCCCCCCCOC(C)=O
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Nonyl acetate belongs to the ester family, synthesized via Fischer esterification between nonanol and acetic acid. Its relatively long carbon chain (C9) grants higher boiling point and persistence compared to shorter-chain fruity esters. The molecule lacks chirality, making synthetic production straightforward without enantiomeric considerations.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Boiling Point | 198-199 °C |
|---|---|
| Density | 0.865 g/cm³ |
| Refractive Index | 1.418-1.422 |
| Flash Point | 88 °C |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 2-5% | Up to 10% | For fruity-floral constructions |
| Functional Products | 0.5-2% | Up to 5% | Air fresheners, detergents |
| Candles | 3-8% | Up to 15% | Creates juicy top notes |
Classic Accords
Tip: Use with white musks to prevent waxy buildup in drydown.
Alternatives & Comparisons
When a slightly lighter, more citrusy fruity note is needed—shorter carbon chain increases volatility.
For formulations requiring enhanced tenacity and a richer, pear-like character.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.
IFRA Status
No IFRA restrictions. Listed as safe under current guidelines.
RIFM Assessment
RIFM assessment confirms safe use at current industry levels.
Sustainability
Synthesized from petrochemical feedstocks, though energy-efficient production routes exist. Biodegradability is moderate (60% in 28 days per OECD 301D). No known ecological toxicity at usage concentrations.
Explore Nonyl acetate
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References
- Bickers et al. (2003). Safety assessment of alkyl acetates. Food Chem Toxicol. PMID 14505838
- Bauer et al. (2001). Common Fragrance and Flavor Materials. Wiley-VCH. DOI 10.1002/3527600093
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.
Report a data errorLayer 3 · Practical
- Odor Profile: floral, fruity, green, leafy, mushroom
- FEMA GRAS: 2788
- Molecular Weight: 186.29 g/mol
- LogP (XLogP): 4.00
Ingredient Data Sheet
CAS 143-13-5Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 186.29 g/mol🔬 PubChem |
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 4🔬 PubChem |
| Boiling Point | 208 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Vapor Pressure | 0.0423 mmHg @ 25°C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 100.5 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Involatility Index | 0.0033💻 Calculated |
| log Kp (skin permeability) | -0.996💻 Calculated |
| SMILES | CCCCCCCCCOC(=O)C🔬 PubChem |
Volatility & Performance
| Fragrance Note | Heart💻 Calculated |
| Volatility Class | Very slow💻 Calculated |
| Persistence Score | 2.9 / 5💻 Calculated |
Odor & Flavor
| Primary Descriptors | floralfruitygreenleafymushroom• leffingwell |
| Functional Groups | esterether💻 RDKit |
| “Powerful fruity-green, leafy and mildly earthy odor of moderate to poor tenacity.”📖 Arctander | |
| Nonyl acetate has a floral, fruity (mushroom–gardenia) odor and a corresponding flavor on dilution. It has a bitter taste when concentrated.📖 Fenaroli | |
Flavor Notes (Arctander)
| “The ester finds some use in flavor compositions for imitation Apricot, Peach, Lemon and other Citrus types, fruit complexes, etc. Its sweet-fruity taste is accompanied by a "peel"-like freshness, and the material is quite powerful. Concentrations vary from 1 to 3 ppm in the finished product.”📖 Arctander |
Regulatory Status
| FEMA Number | FEMA 2788⚖️ 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: DTXSID4047123
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 186.295 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 0.867 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX |
| Boiling Point | 215.25 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Melting Point | -25.667 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Flash Point | 99.438 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Refractive Index | 1.427 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 213.592 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 4.43 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 4.43 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 4.43 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 5.82 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 0 mol/L🔬 EPA CTX |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 0.035 mmHg🔬 EPA CTX |
| Viscosity | 1.902 cP📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 27.991 dyn/cm📊 OPERA |
| Thermal Conductivity | 140.724 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 | 8 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 0 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 54.785 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 21.719 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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