What Is Ethyl Butyrate?
Ethyl Butyrate is a small organic compound that belongs to the ester family, the same chemical group responsible for many of the juicy smells we recognise in fruit. The version most perfumers stock is produced by Symrise, yet a number of other aroma suppliers sell equivalent grades that perform in much the same way.
Manufacturing typically starts with a reaction between ethanol and butyric acid. The process is straightforward, yields are high and no special stabilisers are needed, so the ingredient reaches the market at a high purity level and at a price point most labs consider affordable rather than premium.
At room temperature it appears as a transparent liquid with a water-like look. Because it is quite volatile, it comes in tightly sealed aluminium or amber glass to keep the aroma from evaporating too quickly. Under normal storage the material remains in good shape for around two years before a quality check is advised, though many perfumers keep it longer without problems.
Ethyl Butyrate is a workhorse in modern fragrance creation. You will find it in everything from fine fragrance to household cleaners thanks to its cheerful fruit character, its low cost and its resilience in both water-based and waxy formulas.
Ethyl Butyrate’s Scent Description
This ester falls squarely into the fruity family. Off a blotter the first impression is a burst of mixed berries with a lively leaning toward raspberry and strawberry, followed by a softer pear-like sweetness. Behind that brightness sits a faint tart edge that keeps the note from becoming sugary.
In a typical fragrance structure Ethyl Butyrate behaves as a top note. It flies off the blotter within minutes, adding an instant splash of fruit that draws attention right away. Because it is light and volatile it does not hang around for hours, but during the opening it projects boldly and sets the stage for heavier mid notes.
Projection is strong in the first ten to fifteen minutes, then it retreats quickly to a soft halo. Longevity on paper is roughly one to two hours depending on dose, after which only a whisper of berry brightness may linger. This quick lift is why perfumers often use it in concert with slower-fading fruit materials to build depth and continuity.
How & Where To Use Ethyl Butyrate
Perfumers pick up Ethyl Butyrate when they want an immediate burst of realistic berry brightness. It shines in the top notes of fruity florals, gourmand blends and playful citrus colognes, where a quick pop of raspberry or strawberry lifts the opening and signals freshness. Because its personality is so recognisable, it often anchors a larger berry accord that might also include aldehydes for fizz, ionones for violet nuance or other esters like methyl anthranilate for depth.
Dosing is typically light. Symrise suggests 0.1 to 2 percent of the total concentrate, yet some creative briefs push it higher in room sprays or youthful body mists. At trace levels it offers a gentle sparkle, whereas around 1 percent it becomes a juicy candy-like note. Above 3 percent it can turn overly sharp and start to smell solvent-like, crowding out subtler materials. For that reason most fine fragrance formulas cap it well below 2 percent and let slower evaporating fruits extend the impression.
Its volatility makes it a natural fit for shower gels, shampoos and candles where a lively first whiff is desirable. It also tolerates the alkaline environment of soaps better than many fruity molecules, so you will see it in bar soap bases that need a happy hit of strawberry. Where it performs less convincingly is in very high-heat applications such as fabric ironing waters, because it flashes off too quickly to justify a large dose.
When blending, many perfumers premix Ethyl Butyrate into an alcoholic solution at 10 percent for easy pipetting and finer control. Because the raw material is thin and clear no warming is needed, yet tightly recapping the bottle after each use is wise to minimise evaporation loss. Its odour can dominate smelling strips in a shared lab, so isolate fresh blotters or store them in a closed jar until the top note settles.
The main risk of overuse is a fragrance that smells cheap or reminds customers of synthetic candy flavourings. Restraint paired with supporting berries, soft woods or musks usually yields a more sophisticated impression.
Safety Information
Working with Ethyl Butyrate is straightforward but still requires standard fragrance lab precautions.
- Always dilute before evaluation: prepare a 10 percent solution in ethanol or dipropylene glycol before sniffing to avoid nasal overload
- Avoid direct inhalation: never smell straight from the bottle, instead waft from a blotter or capped vial in a well ventilated space
- Ventilation: maintain good airflow at the bench to keep vapor concentration low and reduce inhalation risk
- Personal protective equipment: wear nitrile gloves to prevent skin contact and safety glasses to protect eyes from splashes
- Health considerations: some individuals may experience skin irritation or allergic reactions. Consult a healthcare professional before use if pregnant or breastfeeding. Brief exposure to low concentrations is generally safe but prolonged or high level exposure can be harmful
Always review the latest Safety Data Sheet supplied by your vendor and recheck it periodically as the information can change. Follow IFRA guidelines for maximum usage in each product type to ensure your formula stays both compliant and consumer friendly.
How To Store & Dispose of Ethyl Butyrate
Ethyl Butyrate lasts well when kept in a cool dark cupboard away from direct sunlight and sources of heat. Refrigeration is not required but can extend shelf life, especially in warm climates where room temperatures regularly exceed 25 °C. If you choose to chill the bottle bring it to room temperature before opening to avoid condensation getting inside.
Always seal stock bottles with tight polycone caps. These liners conform to the glass and limit vapor loss far better than dropper tops, which often leak and let air seep in. For working dilutions select small amber or aluminium containers and fill them almost to the brim. Less headspace means less oxygen contact, which slows down oxidation and keeps the berry note crisp.
Label every container clearly with the chemical name, dilution strength, date of preparation and any hazard icons recommended on the Safety Data Sheet. Good labeling prevents mix-ups and reminds anyone handling the bottle to use gloves and eye protection.
Symrise lists Ethyl Butyrate as inherently biodegradable, yet it is still a flammable organic liquid. Do not pour large volumes into household drains. Collect unwanted concentrate in a sealed metal or HDPE waste can and send it to a local hazardous waste facility or your lab’s solvent recovery vendor. Small residue on pipettes or blotters can be allowed to evaporate in a fume hood then disposed of with regular trash. Rinse empty bottles with isopropyl alcohol before recycling or discarding according to local regulations.
Summary
Ethyl Butyrate is a simple ester that smells like a juicy blend of raspberry, strawberry and other red berries. In perfume formulas it supplies an instant fruity lift, working best in top notes across fine fragrance, personal care and home products. Because it is inexpensive, high in purity and naturally bright it has become a staple in countless berry accords.
Stability is good for at least two years when stored cool and tightly sealed, though its volatility demands careful capping and minimal headspace. Cost remains low compared with many specialty fruit molecules, making it attractive for both mass market and niche projects, but its very recognisable candy tone means overdosing can cheapen a blend.
Commercial quantities come directly from Symrise or equivalent bulk aroma houses. Smaller bottles suitable for hobbyists and test runs are widely offered by online fragrance suppliers, candle-making stores and specialty chemical resellers under either the Symrise name or generic labels.