What Is Cis-3-Hexenyl 2-Methylbutyrate?
Cis-3-Hexenyl 2-Methylbutyrate is an ester that was first isolated and formally recorded by flavor and fragrance chemists in the early 1960s during research into the compounds responsible for the fresh aroma released when plants are cut or crushed. Today it is produced on an industrial scale through a straightforward reaction that combines cis-3-hexenol with 2-methylbutyric acid, creating a high-purity material suitable for perfumery and household products.
The ingredient is classed as synthetic because the quantities required for commercial use are made in the lab, yet the molecule itself also occurs naturally in small amounts in certain fruits and leaves. At room temperature it appears as a clear, colorless, free-flowing liquid with a light consistency similar to many other esters used in fragrance work.
Modern production is reliable and yields material consistently above 98 % purity, so perfumers can count on uniform performance batch after batch. It is widely stocked by fragrance houses across the world and features in everything from fine perfume concentrates to everyday cleaning products, which keeps its cost in the accessible range rather than in the luxury bracket.
What Does Cis-3-Hexenyl 2-Methylbutyrate Smell Like?
The ingredient sits firmly in the fruity family. On a blotter it opens with a bright burst reminiscent of biting into a freshly picked green apple sprinkled with hints of ripe pear and a subtle banana peel nuance. There is also a delicate leafy edge that prevents the fruitiness from turning syrupy, giving the overall scent a refreshing, almost mouth-watering clarity.
In perfume structure we divide materials into top, middle and base notes based on how quickly they evaporate once applied. Cis-3-Hexenyl 2-Methylbutyrate behaves as a top note. It flashes off relatively quickly, delivering its juicy impact in the first moments before yielding the spotlight to longer lasting components.
Projection is lively at the start, making the fruit facet easy to perceive at arm’s length, yet its own longevity is moderate. On a blotter the characteristic brightness is most pronounced for the first hour, then it softens and fades, although traces can linger for a couple more hours depending on the formula. Perfumers often use fixatives or anchor it to heavier notes to extend its presence in a finished fragrance.
How & Where To Use Cis-3-Hexenyl 2-Methylbutyrate
This is one of those feel-good materials that practically falls out of the bottle ready to brighten any composition. It pours easily, blends without fuss and gives an immediate lift that makes a mod smell freshly cut and juicy in seconds.
Perfumers reach for it when they want a crisp green-fruit splash rather than a syrupy, cooked fruit note. It shines in apple, pear or melon accords and is often teamed with other leafy materials such as cis-3-hexenol or stemone to build a convincing crushed-leaf effect. In floral bouquets it can wake up muguet, jasmine or freesia by adding a naturalistic dewiness, while in gourmands it keeps sugary facets from turning cloying.
The ingredient works best as a top note accent. Typical levels run from a trace to around 1 % of the concentrate for fine fragrance and up to 3 % in functional products that need a quick fruity pop on first use. Going beyond 5 % can tip the balance and push a composition into banana peel territory, so most formulators stay below that ceiling unless they are deliberately aiming for a bold tropical vibe.
Perception shifts with dosage. At 0.1 % it whispers fresh apple skin. Between 0.5 % and 1 % the pear facet blooms and a leafy chill becomes noticeable. Above 2 % the material dominates, adding a soft banana undertone and a slightly fatty sweetness that may require balancing with citrals or light musks.
There is very little prep work beyond making a working dilution. A 10 % solution in ethanol or dipropylene glycol is convenient for speed weighing and blotter testing. The neat material is plenty stable, though, so you can store the bulk as is and dilute on demand.
Safely Information
Like all aroma chemicals this ester calls for sensible precautions before you start waving blotters around.
- Always dilute before smelling: prepare a 10 % or weaker solution and assess it from a blotter at arm’s length
- Avoid direct sniffing: never inhale straight from the bottle because concentrated vapors can irritate mucous membranes
- Ensure good ventilation: work near an extraction hood or an open window to disperse airborne particles quickly
- Wear basic PPE: nitrile gloves protect skin while safety glasses guard against accidental splashes
- Mind potential health issues: some people develop skin irritation or allergic reactions so take extra care if you have sensitive skin, and consult a medical professional if pregnant or breastfeeding; short low-level exposure is generally safe but prolonged high-level exposure can be harmful
Always review the latest safety data sheet from your supplier and recheck it periodically as classifications can change. Follow current IFRA guidelines to confirm that your chosen dose stays within the recommended limits for each product type.
Storage And Disposal
When stored correctly Cis-3-Hexenyl 2-Methylbutyrate remains in spec for around two years, sometimes longer, before subtle shifts in odor strength start to show. Oxidation is the main enemy so the aim is to slow contact with heat light and air.
A dark cabinet kept between 10 °C and 20 °C is usually adequate for day-to-day work. If you have spare refrigerator space, cooler temperatures can stretch shelf life by several extra months, just allow the bottle to reach room temperature before opening to prevent moisture from condensing inside.
Choose bottles with polycone caps for every neat or diluted batch. The soft insert creates a tight seal that beats ordinary droppers or pipette tops, which tend to wick out aroma and let oxygen creep in. Keep containers as full as possible by transferring leftovers to smaller vials once headspace grows, further cutting down on air exposure.
Store finished dilutions in amber glass away from direct sunlight and keep them upright in trays to catch any accidental leaks. Label each bottle clearly with the name, date of dilution, concentration and hazard symbols so you can find and handle it quickly later.
For disposal, check local regulations first. Small lab quantities can normally be placed in a sealed container with an absorbent material then sent to a household hazardous waste center. Never pour the neat ester straight down the drain because it floats on water and can form surface films. If rules allow, a heavily diluted solution (well under 1 %) may be flushed with plenty of running water. The molecule is ultimately biodegradable yet it breaks down more slowly in cold aquatic environments, so controlled disposal is always better.
Summary
Cis-3-Hexenyl 2-Methylbutyrate is a lab-made ester that smells like the first bite of crisp green apple blended with hints of pear and a leafy snap. It shines as a top-note booster giving instant freshness to fruits, florals, gourmands and even cleaning products, which explains why it appears on formula sheets from fine fragrance to laundry softener.
The material is fun to play with because a drop or two can wake up a dull accord, yet it stays affordable and easy to source. Stability is good as long as you shelter it from heat and oxygen, though its own brightness fades after an hour or so on skin so pairing with fixatives helps. Keep an eye on dosage because too much slides toward banana peel territory, otherwise it is a versatile workhorse that earns a permanent spot on many perfumers’ benches.