What Is Ethyl-2-Methyl-1,3-Dioxolane-2-Acetate?
Ethyl-2-Methyl-1,3-Dioxolane-2-Acetate is a modern aroma chemical created for use in perfume and fragranced products. First brought to market in the mid-1990s, it was developed to give perfumers a crisp fruit tone that stays stable in many kinds of formulas.
The material is produced through a multi-step synthesis that starts with simple sugar-based feedstocks. Chemists build the dioxolane ring, attach an ethyl group then finish the molecule with an acetate tail. Because every stage happens in a lab it is classed as a fully synthetic ingredient rather than a natural extract.
At room temperature it appears as a clear, colorless liquid with a water-like flow. It has a medium weight, a refractive index a bit higher than water and it will not mix with water on its own. The flashpoint sits comfortably above the levels set for most fragrance production, which helps handling and shipping.
Perfumers like the material for its high purity and for how easily it blends with both bright top notes and softer mid notes. It shows up in fine fragrance as well as in shampoos, soaps, detergents and even candles. Supply is steady, production costs are modest and the price point is considered accessible, so it is not limited to luxury formulas.
What Does Ethyl-2-Methyl-1,3-Dioxolane-2-Acetate Smell Like?
This molecule sits in the fruity family.
On a scent blotter the first impression is a crisp bite of green apple, juicy and sparkling. Within seconds a gentle plum note spreads, adding sweetness and a hint of purple flesh. As the scent settles a soft jasmine nuance peeks through, giving a light floral lift that keeps the fruit from smelling candy-like.
In the classic perfume pyramid top notes are the flashes you notice in the first minutes, middle notes build the heart and base notes give long staying power. Ethyl-2-Methyl-1,3-Dioxolane-2-Acetate sits between top and middle. It starts bright and lively like a top note yet lingers long enough to support the heart of a composition.
Projection is moderate, meaning it creates a clear but not overpowering aura around the wearer. Longevity is solid for a fruity note; expect four to six hours on skin and even longer on fabric before it fades into the background.
How & Where To Use Ethyl-2-Methyl-1,3-Dioxolane-2-Acetate
This is a genuinely pleasant material to handle. It pours without fuss, has no lingering off notes and does not attack your nose the moment you open the bottle. If you enjoy the crisp snap of apple in a formula you will likely find yourself reaching for it often.
Perfumers slot the molecule into top or early-heart positions when they need a bright green apple effect that hangs around longer than most natural apple essences. It forms the backbone of fresh fruit accords, lifts berry blends and modernizes floral bouquets where a juicy accent is wanted. Because it gives both freshness and a subtle jasmine undertone, it can replace two separate ingredients and help simplify a formula.
The material shines in fine fragrance, shampoos and soaps where its clarity survives surfactants. It also works in detergents, softeners and candles, though very high heat in some candle waxes can shave a little off its longevity. Avoid water-based mists unless you add a solubilizer, as it will separate and leave a cloudy ring.
Typical usage levels sit anywhere from trace amounts up to about 3 %. You can push to 5 % in functional products like laundry liquids where you need punch, but most fine fragrance compositions stay well below that. At 0.1 % you get a delicate apple sparkle. Move toward 1 % and the plum facet grows, while jasmine lifts the heart. At the upper end the note turns richer and slightly syrupy so balance it with citruses or airy florals.
The material comes very pure so little prep is required beyond a standard dilution. A 10 % solution in ethanol or dipropylene glycol makes weighing easier and helps you judge strength accurately. Because its density is higher than ethanol give the mix a good stir or shake to ensure even distribution before dosing.
Safely Information
Working with any aroma chemical calls for a few straightforward precautions to keep both you and your formula safe.
- Always dilute before smelling: prepare a blotter or dilute solution rather than sniffing straight from the bottle to avoid overwhelming your nose
- Never smell directly from the bottle: concentrated vapors can desensitize or irritate the nasal passages
- Ventilation: blend in a well-ventilated workspace so vapor levels stay low
- Personal protective equipment: wear nitrile gloves and safety glasses to prevent accidental skin or eye contact
- Health considerations: some aroma chemicals can trigger irritation or allergic reactions, consult a medical professional before use if pregnant or breastfeeding, limit prolonged or high-level exposure
For complete peace of mind always refer to the latest safety data sheet supplied by your distributor and review it periodically for updates. Follow current IFRA guidelines on maximum usage levels in each product category to ensure your creations remain safe and compliant.
Storage And Disposal
When stored with care Ethyl-2-Methyl-1,3-Dioxolane-2-Acetate keeps its full scent for around two to three years before you may notice a slow drop in strength. A cool room that stays under 20 °C is enough, yet a fridge will stretch the shelf life a little further if you have space.
Keep the bottle out of direct sunlight, away from heaters and well sealed. Polycone caps make the best seal for both neat material and dilutions. Avoid dropper tops because air slips in around the pipette and speeds up oxidation.
Try to store the liquid in the smallest bottle that will hold it so the headspace stays minimal. Each time you pour, refill the working bottle from a bigger stock bottle to keep both of them as full as possible.
Label every container with the full name, the date you first opened it and any hazard icons from the safety data sheet. This saves guesswork later and helps anyone else in the studio know exactly what they are handling.
For disposal check local rules first. Small leftover amounts can usually be mixed with plenty of warm soapy water then flushed down a drain that leads to a municipal treatment plant. Larger volumes should go to a licensed chemical waste center along with your solvent scraps. The molecule is not classed as highly toxic but it is slow to break down in the wild, so never pour it straight into soil or surface water.
Summary
Ethyl-2-Methyl-1,3-Dioxolane-2-Acetate is a lab built fruity note that smells like green apple with hints of plum and a soft jasmine lift. It slips easily into countless accords, brightening florals, sharpening berry blends and adding body to fresh top notes.
Perfumers love it because it is clean, stable and fairly priced, yet it still feels modern and lively on skin. The material holds up in fine fragrance, hair care, soaps, detergents and even candles, making it a fun all round tool.
Keep an eye on air exposure so the scent stays crisp, budget for its mid tier cost and remember it shines most when you want a natural fruit effect that lasts longer than the real juice. Used with those points in mind it is a reliable star in the aroma chemical world.