What Is Ethyl Anthranilate?
Ethyl anthranilate is an organic ester that chemists first prepared in the late 1800s during early studies on fragrant compounds. The material is made by reacting anthranilic acid with ethanol in the presence of an acid catalyst, a straightforward process that keeps supply reliable all year round.
The molecule exists in nature in small traces, most famously in Concord grapes and some citrus peels, yet the quantities are too minor for practical harvesting. For that reason nearly all of the material used in perfumery today is produced synthetically, giving perfumers a consistent and high-purity ingredient.
At room temperature ethyl anthranilate appears as a clear mobile liquid that can thicken slightly in a cool warehouse. Its pale yellow color sits well within the normal range for aroma chemicals. Handling is easy because it has a relatively high flashpoint compared with many other fragrance ingredients.
The ester is a familiar workhorse on perfumers’ shelves. It shows up in everything from fine fragrance to functional products like shampoos and candles. Thanks to its simple synthesis and wide production base it is considered an economical choice rather than a luxury raw material.
What Does Ethyl Anthranilate Smell Like?
Perfumers generally file ethyl anthranilate under the floral family.
On a blotter the first impression is an orange blossom note that feels sweet yet airy, almost as if someone squeezed a bit of citrus zest near a bouquet of white flowers. As it settles a mild grape nuance peeks through followed by a gentle powdery backdrop that keeps the profile soft rather than sugary.
In the classic fragrance pyramid the molecule behaves as a middle note. It rises quickly enough to be noticed after the top notes fade yet it stays present long enough to bridge into the base. It does not sit on skin all day but you can still detect hints after four to six hours depending on the formula.
Projection is moderate. In a fine fragrance it radiates a polite arm’s length then folds back into a closer aura. Because it is not overly volatile it blends smoothly with other florals or soft musks helping them bloom without shouting.
How & Where To Use Ethyl Anthranilate
Ask most perfumers and they will tell you ethyl anthranilate is a friendly material to handle. It pours easily, has a comfortable flashpoint and its smell stays pleasant even when you spill a drop on the bench.
In a formula it shines as a middle-note booster for orange blossom, neroli or general white-floral accords. A few traces can brighten a delicate cologne while a full percentage point gives a rich grape-tinged heart to gourmand or fruity florals. If you need to soften sharp citrus top notes without losing freshness this ester often does the job better than heavier indoles or animalics.
Perfumers reach for it when they want an orange blossom effect that feels juicy rather than waxy. Compared with ingredients like nerol or linalyl acetate it adds a playful grape facet that can make a shampoo smell more edible or a fine fragrance feel youthful. It partners especially well with ionones, methyl anthranilate, petitgrain fractions and soft musks.
The material is stable in soap, detergent and candle bases so it survives alkaline or high-heat conditions better than some natural extracts. Where it performs less well is in very watery room sprays because it is almost insoluble in water; a solubilizer or clear-base modifier is needed or else the blend will cloud.
Usage levels normally fall between 0.05 % and 3 % of the fragrance concentrate. Low traces give a sheer floral lift, around 1 % places it firmly in the heart and anything near 5 % turns the whole accord into candied grape. As concentration rises some people also notice a faint medicinal back-note, so moderation is wise.
Prep work is simple. If the liquid thickens in a cool storeroom gently warm the bottle to 25 °C to restore flow. Most labs keep a 10 % ethanol or dipropylene glycol dilution on hand for accurate pipetting and safe evaluation.
Safely Information
Although ethyl anthranilate is considered low-hazard for routine fragrance work certain precautions still apply.
- Always dilute before smelling: evaluate a 10 % or weaker solution on a blotter rather than sniffing the neat material
- Avoid direct bottle inhalation: high vapor strength at the mouth of the bottle can overwhelm the nose and irritate mucous membranes
- Ensure good ventilation: work under a fume hood or in a well-aired room to keep airborne levels low
- Wear protective gear: gloves prevent skin contact and safety glasses shield the eyes from accidental splashes
- Mind health considerations: prolonged or high-level exposure may cause irritation or sensitization, and anyone who is pregnant or breastfeeding should consult a medical professional before handling aroma chemicals
Responsible use starts with the latest safety data. Always review the supplier’s current MSDS for ethyl anthranilate, check for updates regularly and follow any IFRA limits that apply to your end product.
Storage And Disposal
Ethyl anthranilate keeps its best aroma profile for roughly three to five years when stored with care. After that you may notice the orange blossom note flatten or a faint off nuance creeping in, signalling time to replace your stock.
Refrigeration is an easy way to stretch shelf life but room temperature storage works well too if conditions stay cool and stable. Aim for a dark cupboard or cabinet away from windows heaters or hot equipment. Light and heat accelerate oxidation and can shift the scent.
Choose bottles with tight-sealing polycone caps. These liners grip the glass and stop slow evaporation that can dull the material. Avoid dropper tops for long-term storage because they rarely seal fully and can introduce air each time you tip the bottle.
Keep containers as full as practical. The smaller the headspace the less oxygen is available to start degradation. If you decant into a working bottle top it up frequently or move the remainder into a smaller vial.
Label everything clearly with the name batch date and safety icons so no one grabs the wrong ester by mistake. Good labeling also speeds disposal decisions later when you review aging stock.
When a batch reaches the end of its usable life do not pour it down the sink. Small quantities can be mixed with an absorbent material like sand or cat litter then sealed in a bag and placed with chemical waste according to local regulations. Larger volumes should go through a licensed waste handler.
Ethyl anthranilate is considered readily biodegradable under normal environmental conditions yet concentrated spills can still harm aquatic life. Wipe up promptly and ventilate the area to keep vapors low.
Summary
Ethyl anthranilate is a synthetic replica of a natural grape and orange blossom ester that first charmed chemists more than a century ago. On the blotter it gives a sweet airy white floral vibe with a playful grape twist making it a handy middle note in everything from fine perfume to shampoo.
Perfumers love its versatility. A pinch brightens citrus colognes a fuller dose anchors fruity florals and its stability lets it ride through soap cures and candle pours without breaking apart. Cost stays moderate so you can experiment freely.
Keep an eye on its near-insolubility in water and the slight medicinal edge that appears at very high levels. Store it cool sniff it in dilution and label your bottles well then enjoy adding this fun workhorse to your next accord.