What Is Dimethyl Anthranilate?
Dimethyl Anthranilate is an aroma chemical first noted in fragrance research around 1900 when chemists explored new esters of anthranilic acid. Today it is produced on an industrial scale by reacting anthranilic acid with excess methanol in the presence of an acid catalyst, followed by careful purification.
The process is entirely laboratory based, so the material is classed as synthetic even though similar molecules occur in trace amounts in some fruits and flowers. At room temperature it appears as a clear to very pale yellow liquid, free flowing and easy to dose.
Because the raw materials and production steps are straightforward, Dimethyl Anthranilate sits in the lower to middle price bracket for perfumery ingredients. It is stocked by most large aroma houses and is widely available to independent perfumers as well, making it a familiar tool on the blending bench.
Formulators appreciate that unlike its close cousin Methyl Anthranilate, this material stays color stable over time and will not react with aldehydes to form unwanted by products. These advantages help explain why it turns up in fine fragrance, home care and soap bases more often than people might expect.
What Does Dimethyl Anthranilate Smell Like?
Perfumers usually place Dimethyl Anthranilate in the floral family.
On a blotter the first impression is a sweet orange blossom quality that leans toward neroli rather than heavy indolic jasmine. Almost immediately a soft mandarin facet peeks through, adding brightness without sharp citrus acidity. As the minutes pass the note settles into a rounded floral body, smooth and slightly powdery yet still carrying that gentle citrus twist.
In traditional fragrance structure we talk about top, middle and base notes. Dimethyl Anthranilate spans the upper heart of a formula. It flashes quickly enough to lift the opening yet lingers long enough to bridge into the middle where floral accords take shape.
Projection is moderate, giving a clear but not overpowering aura in the first hour or two. On skin it fades sooner than many heavier materials, typically noticeable for several hours, while on a blotter it may last about a day before falling quiet.
How & Where To Use Dimethyl Anthranilate
This is one of those ingredients that behaves nicely on the blotter and in the beaker. It pours without fuss, mixes readily in alcohol and most fragrance solvents, and does not stain equipment so you can reach for it without worrying about extra cleanup.
Perfumers typically deploy Dimethyl Anthranilate as the orange blossom or neroli nuance inside a floral heart. A few drops lift cologne structures, white-flower bouquets or light oriental bases where a sweet citrus twist is welcome but indolic heaviness is not. It slips neatly into petitgrain, mandarin and honeysuckle accords, rounding sharp edges and adding a breezy floral glow.
You would choose this material over Methyl Anthranilate when working with aldehydic top notes because it stays colour stable and will not form troublesome Schiff bases. It is also a favourite in soap where its bloom is rated excellent, meaning the scent pops back to life the moment water hits the bar.
Recommended dosage ranges from mere traces up to about 5 pct of the concentrate. At 0.1 pct or less it gives a gentle mandarin-petitgrain lift, at 0.5 – 1 pct the orange blossom facet comes forward, and above 2 pct the note turns sweeter almost grape-like which can dominate light compositions if not balanced by woods or musks.
While the material shines in fine fragrance, soaps and detergents, it is less impressive for long-wear personal scents because its skin substantivity is short. Pairing it with longer lived florals such as ylang, orange flower absolute or modern jasmine captives helps extend its presence.
Prep work is minimal: pre-dilute to 10 pct in ethanol, triethyl citrate or dipropylene glycol for precise dosing and easier blending. If you are working in water-rich bases add it late in the process or solubilise properly to avoid cloudiness.
Safely Information
Handling aroma chemicals requires a few basic precautions to keep the creative process safe and enjoyable.
- Dilution first: Always dilute Dimethyl Anthranilate before evaluating its odour. Concentrated vapours can overwhelm the nose and skew perception.
- No direct sniffing: Do not smell straight from the bottle. Apply a small diluted sample to a strip and waft gently toward your nose.
- Ventilation: Blend in a well-ventilated area or under a fume hood to prevent inhaling excessive solvent and ingredient fumes.
- Personal protective gear: Wear nitrile gloves and safety glasses to protect skin and eyes from accidental splashes.
- Health considerations: Some aroma chemicals may trigger irritation or allergic reactions. People who are pregnant or breastfeeding should consult a healthcare professional before prolonged exposure. Short encounters with low concentrations are generally safe yet extended contact with higher levels can be harmful.
Always consult the most recent material safety data sheet supplied by your distributor, check it regularly for updates and follow any IFRA usage limits that apply to your end product.
Storage And Disposal
Dimethyl Anthranilate is fairly stable and, if stored with care, can stay in good shape for three to five years before the aroma starts to thin out. Some perfumers still use bottles that are a decade old but quality tends to dip after the first half of that period.
A refrigerator kept between 4 °C and 8 °C will slow oxidation and extend shelf life, though it is not essential. A cool dark cupboard away from direct sunlight and heat sources works fine for day-to-day work.
Choose glass bottles with tight-sealing polycone caps for both neat material and dilutions. Dropper tops let in air and solvent vapour so they shorten the life of the content. Whichever bottle you pick try to keep it as full as possible; topping up with inert gas or transferring to a smaller vial when levels get low limits the oxygen that can spoil the scent.
Store the bottle upright, wipe threads after pouring to avoid crusty build-up and always mark the date you opened it. Clear labels with the full name, concentration, hazard pictograms if required and any personal notes save time and prevent mix-ups later.
For disposal never tip leftovers or wash-up solvent down the sink. Small amounts can be soaked into an absorbent material like cat litter then placed in the chemical waste stream. Larger volumes should go to a licensed waste handler. Dimethyl Anthranilate is readily biodegradable under typical treatment conditions but concentrated dumps can still stress local water systems.
Rinse empty glass with a little solvent, let it dry, peel off labels and recycle if your local rules allow. If in doubt check municipal guidelines or ask a professional waste service.
Summary
Dimethyl Anthranilate is a synthetic floral note with a sunny orange blossom and soft mandarin vibe that slots neatly into the upper heart of a perfume. It is friendly to work with, offers great bloom in soap and stays colour stable around aldehydes where its cousin Methyl Anthranilate can misbehave.
Because it is affordable and easy to blend you will spot it in colognes, white floral bouquets, fruity accords and plenty of home care bases. Remember its short skin life and balance it with longer lasting partners, watch your dose above two percent and keep the bottle cool dark and tightly capped to get the best from every drop.