What Is Ethyl Butyrate?
Ethyl butyrate, also called ethyl butanoate, is an ester first documented by chemists in the early 1800s as they explored why certain fruits smelled so appealing. Today it is produced on an industrial scale by reacting food grade ethanol with butyric acid in the presence of an acid catalyst, then purifying the result through distillation to reach a typical purity of at least 99 percent.
The compound occurs in nature in many fruits, yet the material used in fragrance and flavor work is almost always made in the factory. This synthetic route guarantees consistent quality, reliable supply and a price that places the ingredient in the lower cost bracket for perfumers.
At room temperature the material is a clear colorless liquid that looks a lot like water, though it is slightly less dense and far more volatile. Thanks to that high volatility it is a favorite in applications that range from fine fragrance to household cleaners. Because it is readily available and easy to work with, most creative labs keep a bottle within arm’s reach whenever they need a quick splash of fruit character.
Ethyl butyrate is classed as an ester, is stable under normal handling conditions and is considered inherently biodegradable, which adds to its appeal for everyday consumer products.
What Does Ethyl Butyrate Smell Like?
Perfumers place ethyl butyrate squarely in the fruity family. On a fragrance blotter it bursts out with an upbeat mix of raspberry, strawberry and generic red berry facets that feel juicy and mouthwatering. There is a faint creamy undertone that stops the fruit notes from becoming sharp, keeping the overall impression soft and approachable.
The ingredient behaves as a top note, meaning it is one of the first things you notice when a perfume is applied. Its light molecular weight lets it evaporate quickly, so its main contribution shows in the opening minutes of a composition. After roughly fifteen to twenty minutes the intensity drops, making space for middle and base notes to emerge.
Projection is high at first spritz, easily diffusing into the air around the wearer, yet longevity is relatively short. Most formulators rely on it for its sparkling lift rather than lasting power, pairing it with heavier fruit or gourmand materials to extend the effect.
How & Where To Use Ethyl Butyrate
Ethyl butyrate is a breeze to handle. It pours easily, blends without fuss and its cheerful fruit burst shows up even in small trials, making it a go-to when you need quick energy in a formula.
Perfumers reach for it to brighten berry accords, lend realism to coconut or pineapple themes or add a playful twist to floral bouquets. When you want a clean raspberry pop that feels more natural than candy-like, this ester often outshines alternatives such as raspberry ketone or dimethyl benzyl carbinyl butyrate. Its low molecular weight also gives lift to heavier gourmand blends, helping them open with sparkle instead of syrup.
Typical inclusion sits between 0.1 percent and 2 percent of the finished concentrate. At the lower end it whispers a juicy nuance that supports other fruits. Push it closer to the upper limit and the note becomes loud, airy and unmistakably red berry. Above roughly 3 percent some noses detect a sharp solvent edge so most formulas stay below that mark unless the brief calls for an exaggerated candy effect.
Applications are wide: fine fragrance, shampoo, shower gel, soap, detergent, fabric softener, all-purpose cleaners and candles all tolerate the material well. The only downside is its volatility; in slow-drying bases like solid soap much of the top note can flash off during cure, so consider pairing it with a longer-lasting fruity ester or encapsulating it for retention.
Prep work is minimal. Diluting to 10 percent in ethanol or dipropylene glycol makes weighing easier and lets you evaluate nuances without nose-numbing intensity. No antioxidant or stabilizer is required under normal conditions.
Safety Information
Working with ethyl butyrate calls for the same sensible precautions used with any perfumery raw material.
- Always dilute before smelling: evaluate the scent in a 10 percent solution or on a blotter rather than sniffing the neat liquid
- Avoid direct inhalation: never inhale vapors straight from the bottle and blend in a well-ventilated workspace
- Personal protective equipment: wear nitrile gloves and safety glasses to prevent skin or eye contact
- Health considerations: esters can cause irritation or allergic reactions in sensitive individuals, consult a healthcare professional before use if pregnant or breastfeeding and remember that prolonged or high-level exposure may be harmful
- Flammability: with a flash point around 28 °C the liquid is highly flammable so keep it away from ignition sources and store in tightly closed containers
Always review the latest Material Safety Data Sheet supplied by your vendor and check it regularly for updates. Follow IFRA guidelines for maximum use levels in the intended product category to keep both creators and consumers safe.
Storage And Disposal
Unopened drums or bottles of ethyl butyrate normally stay in spec for two to three years. Once opened you should aim to use them within eighteen months for best aroma quality.
Refrigeration is not essential but it slows oxidation and evaporation noticeably, especially in hot climates. If fridge space is limited a cool dark cupboard away from radiators and direct sunlight works almost as well. Keep the container tightly closed between uses to prevent the top notes from escaping.
For dilutions choose bottles fitted with polycone caps. The cone compresses against the glass or plastic neck giving an airtight seal that dropper caps cannot achieve. Avoid clear glass if the solution will sit on a windowsill because light speeds up degradation. Whenever possible decant into the smallest bottle that will hold the material to cut down headspace and reduce contact with air.
Label every container clearly with the name, concentration, flammability icon and the date it was made. A quick reference note such as “flash point 28 °C” helps remind users to keep it away from heat sources.
Ethyl butyrate is inherently biodegradable so small laboratory leftovers can often be flushed with plenty of running water if local regulations allow. Larger volumes or solvent based spills belong in a sealed hazardous waste drum for pickup by a licensed disposal company. Never pour bulk quantities into drains or soil and keep absorbent pads handy to mop up any accidental release.
Summary
Ethyl butyrate is a light fruity ester that smells like a fresh handful of mixed berries with a soft creamy edge. It flashes off quickly giving perfumes an instant happy lift and slots just as easily into shampoos, candles or household cleaners.
Because it is affordable, stable under normal handling and easy to blend it has become a staple on the perfumer’s bench. Use it to add sparkle to berry accords, brighten tropical mixes or give weightless sweetness to gourmand bases but remember its volatility means the note fades fast.
Store it cool, keep the bottle full and reach for a polycone cap to lock in that juicy top note. With sensible precautions ethyl butyrate is a fun tool that earns its place in almost every creative palette.