What Is Methyl Methylanthranilate?
Methyl Methylanthranilate is an aroma molecule first reported by chemists in the early 1900s during the rapid expansion of ester research for perfumery. The material is produced through an esterification step that joins methylanthranilic acid with methanol, giving a stable compound that can be manufactured at large scale with modern equipment.
Commercial supply is almost always synthetic, although tiny traces can be detected in certain citrus oils. Using the laboratory route guarantees consistent purity above 98 percent, which perfumers value for predictable performance in finished products.
At room temperature the ingredient can look like a clear pale-yellow liquid yet it may show faint solid particles if the workspace is cool because the melting point sits close to normal storage conditions. It pours easily and has a higher density than water, so a small volume carries notable weight in the beaker.
Perfumers consider it a workhorse component rather than a rare luxury item, so the cost is in the moderate to inexpensive bracket. Its stability allows reliable use not only in fine fragrance but also in functional products such as shampoos and candles, making it a familiar name in many formulation labs.
What Does Methyl Methylanthranilate Smell Like?
This material lives in the floral family. Off a blotter it opens with a soft orange-blossom effect that feels both sweet and slightly honeyed. A rounded neroli tonality is soon joined by a gentle mandarin nuance that adds juiciness without turning overtly fruity. The overall impression is rich yet smooth, more like walking past a blooming citrus tree at dusk than sniffing fresh peel.
In the classical perfume pyramid notes are grouped as top, middle or base depending on how fast they evaporate. Methyl Methylanthranilate sits firmly in the middle section. It appears a few minutes after application, then bridges the bright top notes and the deeper base materials, adding body to the heart of a composition.
Projection is moderate, meaning the scent forms a noticeable but not overpowering aura around the wearer. Longevity is solid for a middle note, often lasting four to six hours on skin and even longer on fabric before quietly fading.
How & Where To Use Methyl Methylanthranilate
This is a pretty friendly material to handle. It pours cleanly, is not overly volatile so it will not blast your nose, and it blends with most bases without tantrums.
Perfumers reach for it when they need a floral heart that leans toward orange blossom but with more weight than straight neroli oil. It slips easily into white-flower bouquets, citrus fantasies, soft colognes and even gourmand accords that need a sweet petal nuance.
At very low levels, think 0.05 percent of the concentrate, it simply adds a creamy cushion behind bergamot or mandarin. Push it to 0.5 percent and the material starts to sing, giving a clear orange-blossom character that glues the top and middle. Around 2-3 percent it becomes a main theme, turning rich, honeyed and slightly balsamic. Above 5 percent the note can feel heavy and might flatten the composition, so most formulas stay below that mark.
It mixes especially well with linalool, benzyl acetate, petitgrain, ylang, musks and light woods. It is less successful next to very green galbanum notes or strong smoky molecules, which can muddy its delicate sweetness.
Applications range from fine fragrance to shampoos, soaps, candles and softeners because the molecule survives moderate heat and alkaline conditions. In heavily chlorinated cleaners its floral tone can dull, so testing in that space is advised.
No special prep work is required beyond a quick warm-water bath if crystals form in a cold lab. Give the bottle a gentle roll to re-homogenise then weigh it while still warm for best accuracy.
Safety Information
Working with any aroma chemical calls for sensible precautions and Methyl Methylanthranilate is no exception.
- Always dilute before evaluation: prepare a 10 percent solution in alcohol or dipropylene glycol and smell from a blotter
- Avoid direct sniffing from the bottle: concentrated vapours can overwhelm the nose and mask subtle facets
- Ventilation: blend and evaluate in a well-ventilated workspace to limit inhalation of airborne particles
- Personal protective equipment: wear nitrile gloves and safety glasses to avoid accidental skin or eye contact
- Health considerations: some individuals may experience irritation or sensitisation; consult a medical professional before use if pregnant or breastfeeding; brief exposure at low levels is generally safe but prolonged or high-level contact can be harmful
Always review the latest safety data sheet provided by your supplier and update your records whenever a new version appears. Follow current IFRA guidelines for maximum use levels to ensure your creations remain safe for both you and the end user.
Storage And Disposal
Kept in the right conditions Methyl Methylanthranilate stays fresh for roughly three to four years before the floral tone starts to dull. An unopened drum stored under optimum conditions can last even longer but plan to retest it after three years to be safe.
Refrigeration is optional yet helpful. A fridge set around 4 °C slows oxidation and keeps the material clear. If cold storage is not available a cool cupboard away from windows, radiators and hot machinery will do the job. Darkness is important because ultraviolet light speeds up discoloration.
Choose bottles with tight polycone caps for both neat material and diluted solutions. These caps form a snug seal that limits oxygen ingress. Dropper tops may look handy but they leak vapour and invite moisture so skip them for long-term storage.
Try to keep every bottle as full as practical. Decant larger stock into smaller amber glass if the level drops below half because a high headspace accelerates air contact and eventual off-odours.
Label everything clearly with the ingredient name, batch number, date opened and hazard symbols. This quick habit saves confusion when the shelf fills up with similar looking liquids.
When a sample is no longer fit for use absorb small quantities onto paper towel or cat litter then place in a sealed bag before discarding in household waste. Larger volumes should go to a licensed chemical disposal facility. The molecule is not readily biodegradable in water so avoid pouring it down the drain.
Rinse empty containers with a little solvent, collect the rinse for disposal and leave the glass to air dry before recycling. Good housekeeping today saves headaches tomorrow.
Summary
Methyl Methylanthranilate is a synthetically produced floral ester that gives a sweet orange-blossom heart with a hint of mandarin. Middle-note duty is its specialty, adding warmth and cohesion in white-flower bouquets, colognes and even gourmand blends.
The material is affordable, fairly stable and forgiving to work with. It survives moderate heat and alkaline environments so it shows up in fine fragrances and functional products alike. Watch the dosage though because high levels can weigh a formula down.
If you store it cool, keep bottles full and cap them tight this workhorse will reward you with years of reliable performance. For any perfumer or hobbyist looking to expand a floral palette it is a fun, versatile addition that slots into countless accords without breaking the budget.