Ethyl acetate (CAS 141-78-6) — Sweet Top Note Fragrance Ingredient
Ethyl acetate
CAS 141-78-6
What Is Ethyl acetate?
Ethyl acetate is a common synthetic fragrance ingredient found in nail polish removers, glues, and some fruity perfumes. It has a sharp, fruity smell reminiscent of pears or apples. This versatile solvent is widely used because it evaporates quickly and blends well with other ingredients.
Safety Profile
GENERALLY SAFEWhat Does Ethyl acetate Smell Like?
Ethyl acetate bursts with a sharp, fruity top note that’s immediately recognizable – think ripe pears dipped in nail polish remover. The initial intensity quickly mellows into a sweet, wine-like heart with hints of pineapple and banana. As it dries down, it leaves a clean, slightly solvent-like trail that works beautifully as a carrier for other notes. Its volatility makes it perfect for creating fleeting fruity illusions in top notes.
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Used for its crisp, fruity opening that complements the citrus and green tea notes, creating a youthful, energetic effect.
Provides a sparkling fruity lift to the aquatic floral composition, enhancing the freshness without overwhelming delicate notes.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: CCOC(C)=O
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Ethyl acetate is an ester formed from ethanol and acetic acid. Industrially produced via esterification, it’s one of the simplest and most versatile esters used in perfumery. While it occurs naturally in some fruits, commercial production is entirely synthetic. The molecule’s small size contributes to its high volatility and clean break-down profile.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Boiling Point | 77.1 °C |
|---|---|
| Flash Point | -4 °C |
| Density | 0.902 g/cm³ |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 0.5-3% | Up to 5% | Used for fruity top notes |
| Functional Fragrance | 1-10% | Up to 20% | Masking agent in industrial products |
Classic Accords
Tip: Use in minute quantities for fruity effects – too much will smell like nail polish remover.
Alternatives & Comparisons
For more banana-like fruity notes with slightly better tenacity.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.
IFRA Status
No IFRA restrictions. Generally recognized as safe at typical usage levels.
GHS Classification
RIFM Assessment
RIFM has evaluated ethyl acetate as safe for current fragrance use patterns.
Sustainability
As a petrochemical derivative, ethyl acetate has moderate environmental impact. However, its simple molecular structure makes it biodegradable. Some manufacturers are exploring bio-based production routes using fermented ethanol.
Explore Ethyl acetate
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References
- PubChem Compound Summary for Ethyl Acetate CID 8857
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.
Report a data errorIngredient Data Sheet
CAS 141-78-6Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 88.11 g/mol🔬 PubChem |
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 0.7🔬 PubChem |
| Boiling Point | 77.2 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Vapor Pressure | 73 mmHg @ 25°C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | -4.4 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Involatility Index | 8.3818💻 Calculated |
| log Kp (skin permeability) | -2.74💻 Calculated |
| SMILES | CCOC(=O)C🔬 PubChem |
Volatility & Performance
| Fragrance Note | Top💻 Calculated |
| Volatility Class | Very fast💻 Calculated |
| Persistence Score | 0.5 / 5💻 Calculated |
Odor & Flavor
| Primary Descriptors | etherealsharp• leffingwell |
| Functional Groups | esterether💻 RDKit |
| “Pleasant, ethereal-fruit, Brandy-like odor, somewhat nauseating in high concentration.”📖 Arctander | |
| Ethyl acetate has a pleasant ethereal-fruity, brandy-like odor, reminiscent of pineapple, somewhat nauseating in high concentration. It has fruity sweet taste when freshly diluted in water. Ethyl acetate is probably one of the most used of all flavor chemicals by volume. Ethyl acetate is slowly decomposed by moisture and then acquires an acid status due to the acetic acid formed.📖 Fenaroli | |
Flavor Notes (Arctander)
| “Fruity-sweet, ethereal taste when freshly diluted in water (Ethyl acetate is easily hydrolyzed in water, increasing the acidity). The ester is probably one of the most used of all flavor chemicals by volume. It forms a major part of the imitation flavors of many Prod.: from Ethyl alcohol and Acetic ”📖 Arctander |
Sensory Thresholds
| Odor Detection Threshold | 12.5174 ppm (n=44)📖 van Gemert |
Regulatory Status
| FEMA Number | FEMA 2414⚖️ 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: DTXSID1022001
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 88.106 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 0.898 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX |
| Boiling Point | 76.361 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Melting Point | -77.466 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Flash Point | -3.326 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Refractive Index | 1.373 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 98.045 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 0.732 Log10 unitless🔬 EPA CTX |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 0.798 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 0.798 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 2.7 Log10 unitless🔬 EPA CTX |
| Water Solubility | 0.903 mol/L🔬 EPA CTX |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0 atm-m3/mole🔬 EPA CTX |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 89.544 mmHg🔬 EPA CTX |
| Viscosity | 0.465 cP📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 23.75 dyn/cm📊 OPERA |
| Thermal Conductivity | 142.058 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 | 1 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 0 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 22.355 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 8.862 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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