Octyl isovalerate (CAS 7786-58-5) — Sweet Top to middle Note Fragrance Ingredient

Sweet · Citrus

Octyl isovalerate

CAS 7786-58-5

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

What Is Octyl isovalerate?

Octyl isovalerate is a synthetic ester used in fragrances to add fruity, apple-like notes. It’s found in body sprays, detergents, and some fruit-flavored products. This ingredient matters because it provides a cost-effective way to create natural-smelling fruit accords without relying on volatile natural extracts that fade quickly.

Safety Profile

GENERALLY SAFE
Generally safeUse with awarenessProfessional use
IFRA approved with no restrictions
No known allergens
CAS
7786-58-5
Formula
Mixture
MW
Variable
Odor Family
Sweet · Citrus
Layer 1 · Enthusiast

What Does Octyl isovalerate Smell Like?

Octyl isovalerate bursts with a crisp, juicy apple top note reminiscent of green apple skins. The heart reveals a creamier, almost banana-like fruitiness that softens into a subtle tropical nuance. Dry-down leaves a faintly waxy, pear-like impression that lingers close to the skin. The overall effect is like biting into a perfectly ripe Golden Delicious apple – neither too sweet nor too tart.

Scent Profile

In Famous Fragrances

Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.

Green Apple(Demeter, 2000)

Used as the primary apple note to create their photorealistic single-note fragrance. The long carbon chain provides better longevity than natural apple extracts.

Light Blue(Dolce&Gabbana, 2001)

Provides subtle fruity enhancement to the citrus top without overpowering. Blends seamlessly with the aquatic notes.

Layer 2

2D Molecular Structure

Octyl isovalerate

SMILES: CCCCCCCCOC(=O)CC(C)C

Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide

The Chemistry

Octyl isovalerate is an ester formed from isovaleric acid and octanol. The branched structure of the isovalerate moiety contributes to its distinctive fruity character. Industrially produced via acid-catalyzed esterification, this compound offers excellent stability compared to natural fruit extracts. The octyl chain length provides optimal balance between volatility and substantivity for fragrance applications.

Physical & Chemical Properties

Boiling Point243-245 °C
Flash Point>100 °C
Density0.86 g/cm³

Perfumer Guide

Note Position
Top to middle
Volatility
Medium (2-4 hours)
Blending
Good with citrus and floral notes
ApplicationTypical %RangeNotes
Body Sprays1-3%0.5-5%Adds fruity lift without heaviness
Laundry Detergents0.1-0.5%0.05-1%Survives wash cycles well

Classic Accords

+ Galaxolide = Apple musk + Hedione = Fruity floral

Tip: Use with bergamot to brighten or with vanillin to create candy-like effects.

Alternatives & Comparisons

1
Hexyl isovalerate CAS 10032-13-0

More volatile with stronger green apple character. Better for short-lived top notes.

2
Octyl acetate CAS 112-14-1

Less fruity, more pear-like. Works well in aquatic fragrances.

Layer 3

Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability

⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer

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

IFRA Status

No restrictions under IFRA 49th Amendment.

RIFM Assessment

RIFM assessment complete – no safety concerns at current usage levels.

Sustainability

Synthetic production avoids agricultural impacts. The manufacturing process is optimized for atom economy with minimal waste. Readily biodegradable under OECD test conditions.

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References

  1. PubChem Compound Summary for Octyl isovalerate PubChem CID: Not available
  2. IFRA Standards Library IFRA 49th Amendment

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

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Physicochemical Properties

DTXSID: DTXSID9064847

Physical Properties

Molecular Weight 214.349 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox
Density 0.86 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX
Boiling Point 250 °C🔬 EPA CTX
Melting Point -35.797 °C📊 OPERA
Flash Point 102.792 °C📊 OPERA
Refractive Index 1.432 Dimensionless📊 OPERA
Molar Volume 246.982 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA

Partition & Solubility

LogP (Octanol-Water) 5.115 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
LogD (pH 5.5) 5.115 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
LogD (pH 7.4) 5.115 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
LogKoa (Octanol-Air) 6.56 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
Water Solubility 0 mol/L📊 OPERA
Henry's Law Constant 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA

Transport Properties

Vapor Pressure 0.014 mmHg📊 OPERA
Viscosity 3.519 cP📊 OPERA
Surface Tension 27.517 dyn/cm📊 OPERA
Thermal Conductivity 136.944 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 9 count💻 Computed
Aromatic Rings 0 count💻 Computed
Molar Refractivity 64.01 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA
Polarizability 25.375 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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