What Is Ethyl Caproate?
Ethyl Caproate is a small, fruity smelling ester that perfumers reach for when they want to add a burst of ripe fruit to a blend. The best-known source on the market comes from Symrise, though other aroma houses offer their own versions that match the same quality specs.
The material is made by joining together caproic acid with ethanol in a process called esterification. Once the reaction is complete the mix is cleaned up, distilled and tested so that at least 99 percent of what ends up in the drum is pure Ethyl Caproate.
At room temperature it looks like water: clear, thin and free of visible color. It pours easily and has no tendency to crystalize or thicken, which simplifies weighing and blending in a lab or factory.
Because of its bright, familiar fruit tone the ingredient shows up in many product types from fine fragrance to shampoos and candles. It is produced on an industrial scale so supply is steady and the cost sits in the low to mid range for a specialty aroma chemical.
When stored in a well-sealed container kept away from heat and light, the ester stays fresh for around two to three years. Over time the scent slowly loses punch but it rarely turns unpleasant.
Ethyl Caproate’s Scent Description
This molecule lives firmly in the fruity family. Off a blotter the first impression is a splash of juicy pineapple backed by creamy banana and a hint of strawberry candy. A faint green note adds freshness so the fruit never feels cooked or jammy.
The smell breaks out fast which places Ethyl Caproate in the top note space. After the bright opening calms down a soft banana custard nuance lingers into the early heart before fading away. You will not find it anchoring the drydown yet it leaves a cheerful memory that sets up whatever follows.
Projection is quick and lively. The aroma radiates well for the first half hour then settles close to the blotter. Total life on paper is around three to four hours which is long enough to shape the opening of a perfume without overstaying its welcome.
How & Where To Use Ethyl Caproate
Perfumers pull out Ethyl Caproate when they need an instant hit of tropical fruit that still feels light and transparent. It leads the charge in pineapple or banana accords and lifts berry mixes where strawberry needs extra sparkle. In citrus compositions a trace adds juicy sweetness without turning the blend sticky.
The ester often partners with Ethyl Butyrate, Allyl Caproate or Acetaldehyde to build a complex fruit cocktail. It wins out over those options when the brief calls for a cleaner pineapple edge or when the formula already contains creamy lactones and needs a sharper accent for balance.
Fine fragrances use it at 0.05 % to about 0.5 % to set a cheerful top note. Functional products such as shampoos or fabric softeners can go higher, up to the recommended 3 % ceiling, because rinse off or diffusion lowers skin exposure. Candles tolerate similar levels though heat can push the note harder than expected.
Concentration changes the character. At trace levels the molecule offers a bright, almost fizzy lift. Around 0.3 % the clear pineapple turns into ripe banana custard. Above 1 % it can smell like candy or nail-polish remover and may dominate everything around it. Over-use flattens complexity and risks a cloying aftertaste once the volatile top note flashes off.
Because it is a thin liquid with a flash point near 45 °C it should be prediluted in ethanol or dipropylene glycol to 10 % for accurate weighing and easier blending. No special antioxidants or stabilisers are needed yet storing the stock bottle tightly sealed in a cool place slows oxidation that could dull the scent over time.
Safely Information
Working with Ethyl Caproate is straightforward yet a few basic precautions keep the lab safe and your senses sharp.
- Always dilute before evaluation: prepare a 10 % or weaker solution in alcohol or carrier oil so you can judge the aroma without overwhelming your nose
- Avoid direct sniffing: never smell straight from the bottle instead wave the blotter in front of your nose for a gentle waft
- Ventilation: blend in a fume hood or well-aired room to prevent a buildup of vapour that could irritate lungs or create a flammable atmosphere
- Personal protective gear: wear nitrile gloves and safety glasses to keep the liquid off skin and out of eyes
- Health considerations: esters can trigger irritation or allergic responses in sensitive individuals. Those who are pregnant or breastfeeding should consult a healthcare professional before prolonged handling. Short encounters at low levels are generally safe but high or extended exposure may cause headaches or dermatitis
For complete peace of mind always consult the latest safety data sheet from your supplier and review it regularly as updates are common. Follow current IFRA guidelines on maximum usage to ensure every formula stays both delightful and safe.
How To Store & Dispose of Ethyl Caproate
Ethyl Caproate stays at its lively best when it is kept cool and shielded from light. A dedicated refrigerator set between 5 °C and 10 °C will slow oxidation and extend shelf life, yet a normal shelf in a climate-controlled room works if the bottle sits away from sunshine, heaters and hot equipment.
Select bottles that seal tight. Amber glass with a polycone cap gives the strongest barrier against air and moisture. Skip dropper tops because their vent holes let vapour escape and oxygen creep in. After each use top up the container or transfer the remaining liquid to a smaller vial so less headspace is left to attack the ester.
Label every bottle the moment it is filled. Add the full name, concentration, date of receipt, hazard pictograms and the words “Flammable liquid, store cool” so anyone on the bench can see what is inside at a glance.
When disposing of small test batches you can rinse off dilute residues with plenty of water since the molecule is readily biodegradable. Larger volumes or expired stock should go into a dedicated solvent waste drum that will be collected for controlled incineration or chemical recycling according to local regulations. Never pour bulk material straight into a sink or bin and never burn it in an open tray.
Summary
Ethyl Caproate is a clear, fruity ester that bursts with pineapple, banana and strawberry brightness. Perfumers use it to kick off tropical accords, sweeten citrus or lift berry blends, usually at levels below one percent in fine fragrance and up to three percent in shampoos, softeners and candles.
The ingredient stands out for its clean profile, reliable supply and moderate cost. It is stable for two to three years when kept cool and tightly sealed, though it can lose punch if left half full or stored in heat. Its high volatility means it shines in the opening of a perfume but will not anchor the drydown, so balance it with longer lasting notes.
Symrise offers the benchmark grade for commercial scale work while smaller quantities can be sourced from specialty suppliers and hobby resellers under the Symrise label or as generic equivalents. Whether you are building a blockbuster pineapple accord or adding a playful twist to a citrus toner, this versatile ester earns its shelf space in any creative lab.