Terpinyl butyrate (CAS 2153-28-8) — Sweet Top to middle Note Fragrance Ingredient

Sweet · Floral

Terpinyl butyrate

CAS 2153-28-8

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

What Is Terpinyl butyrate?

Terpinyl butyrate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient found in perfumes, soaps, and air fresheners. It adds a fruity, floral, and slightly woody character to scents. This ester is valued for its ability to enhance fruity and floral notes while providing a subtle woody depth, making it versatile in both fine fragrances and household products.

Safety Profile

GENERALLY SAFE
Generally safeUse with awarenessProfessional use
Generally recognized as safe in regulated products
Use standard handling precautions for synthetic esters
CAS
2153-28-8
Formula
Mixture
MW
Variable
Odor Family
Sweet · Floral
Layer 1 · Enthusiast

What Does Terpinyl butyrate Smell Like?

Terpinyl butyrate opens with a bright, fruity burst reminiscent of pear and pineapple, layered with a soft floral undertone. As it evolves, the heart reveals a gentle woodiness, like freshly cut cedar, balanced by a creamy, buttery nuance. The dry-down is clean and slightly powdery, leaving a subtle, lingering sweetness. Its multifaceted profile makes it a versatile blender, enhancing both fruity and floral compositions while adding depth.

Scent Profile
Layer 2

2D Molecular Structure

Butanoic acid, 1-methyl-1-(4-methyl-3-cyclohexen-1-yl)ethyl ester

SMILES: CCCC(=O)OC(C)(C)C1CCC(C)=CC1

Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide

The Chemistry

Terpinyl butyrate is an ester formed by the condensation of terpineol and butyric acid. It belongs to the class of terpene esters, which are widely used in perfumery for their pleasant odors and stability. The compound is typically synthesized through acid-catalyzed esterification, yielding a product with consistent olfactory properties. Its molecular structure combines the woody characteristics of terpineol with the fruity notes of butyric acid, creating a balanced fragrance ingredient.

Physical & Chemical Properties

Boiling PointNot available
DensityNot available

Perfumer Guide

Note Position
Top to middle
Volatility
Medium (1-3 hours)
Blending
Good
ApplicationTypical %RangeNotes
Fine Fragrance1-5%Up to 10%Adds fruity-floral depth
Soap & Detergents0.5-3%Up to 5%Stable in alkaline formulations
Air Fresheners2-8%Up to 15%Provides lasting freshness

Classic Accords

Tip: Blend with citrus oils to enhance its fruity top notes or with woody materials to emphasize its dry-down.

Alternatives & Comparisons

1
Terpinyl acetate CAS 80-26-2

Offers a similar profile with a more pronounced woody note, ideal for chypre and fougère accords.

2
Linalyl butyrate CAS 78-36-4

Provides a softer, more floral character with less woodiness, suitable for delicate floral compositions.

Layer 3

Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability

⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer

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

IFRA Status

No IFRA restrictions currently apply to terpinyl butyrate.

RIFM Assessment

Not currently assessed by RIFM, but similar esters are generally considered safe at typical usage levels.

Sustainability

As a synthetic ingredient, terpinyl butyrate is produced through controlled chemical processes, reducing reliance on natural resources. Its production can be optimized for minimal environmental impact, though energy use and chemical waste management should be considered.

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References

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

    Report a data error

    Perfumers Notes

    Odor Profile

    Balsamic, fruity, herbal, sour.

    Standard Dilution

    10% in DPG (standard dilution for most fragrance materials)

    Ingredient Data Sheet

    CAS 2153-28-8

    Physical Properties

    Molecular Weight224.34 g/mol🔬 PubChem
    LogP (Octanol-Water)3.2🔬 PubChem
    Boiling Point244 °C🔬 EPA CompTox
    log Kp (skin permeability)-1.796💻 Calculated
    SMILESCCCC(=O)OC(C)(C)C1CCC(=CC1)C🔬 PubChem

    Volatility & Performance

    Fragrance NoteHeart💻 Calculated

    Odor & Flavor

    Primary Descriptorsbalsamicfruityherbal• leffingwell
    Functional Groupsesteretheralkene💻 RDKit
    Data Sources & Attribution
    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: DTXSID30862850

    Physical Properties

    Molecular Weight 224.344 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox
    Density 0.93 g/cm^3📊 OPERA
    Boiling Point 245 °C🔬 EPA CTX
    Melting Point 1.647 °C📊 OPERA
    Flash Point 95.638 °C📊 OPERA
    Refractive Index 1.468 Dimensionless📊 OPERA
    Molar Volume 236.98 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA

    Partition & Solubility

    LogP (Octanol-Water) 4.656 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
    LogD (pH 5.5) 4.656 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
    LogD (pH 7.4) 4.656 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
    LogKoa (Octanol-Air) 6.91 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
    Water Solubility 0 mol/L📊 OPERA
    Henry's Law Constant 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA

    Transport Properties

    Vapor Pressure 0.009 mmHg📊 OPERA
    Viscosity 3.346 cP📊 OPERA
    Surface Tension 30.415 dyn/cm📊 OPERA
    Thermal Conductivity 133.331 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 4 count💻 Computed
    Aromatic Rings 0 count💻 Computed
    Molar Refractivity 65.847 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA
    Polarizability 26.104 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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