What Is Ethyl Methyl Butyrate-2?
Ethyl Methyl Butyrate-2 is a small ester molecule first isolated and described by flavor chemists in 1958 while they were mapping the aroma compounds responsible for the characteristic scent of fresh fruit. The name points to its structure, which is created by combining ethanol with 2-methylbutyric acid in a straightforward acid-catalyzed esterification. That reaction is carried out on an industrial scale today, giving a consistently pure product that meets modern fragrance specifications.
As a factory-made ester it is considered a synthetic ingredient, even though its odour occurs naturally in certain fruits. In the drum it presents as a clear colorless liquid that remains mobile at room temperature. With a purity that typically tests above 99 percent it arrives ready for blending without the need for extra stabilizers.
The material is widely used across the fragrance sector and shows up in everything from fine perfume concentrates to household cleaners. Because the raw materials and process are simple the price is on the accessible end of the spectrum, which helps perfumers use it generously when they need a vivid fruit effect. Supply is reliable and global production capacity easily meets demand.
What Does Ethyl Methyl Butyrate-2 Smell Like?
This molecule falls squarely into the fruity family. On a blotter it opens with the snap of freshly sliced green apple, quickly joined by the juicy sweetness of ripe strawberry. The impression is bright clean and mouthwatering with no heavy or waxy undertones.
In the traditional fragrance pyramid the note sits firmly in the top section. It flashes off in the first few minutes delivering an immediate burst of freshness before tapering into the heart where it lends a gentle fruity halo to other ingredients. Expect around one to two hours of noticeable presence on a blotter with a projection that is light to moderate.
Although its stay is brief the clarity of the effect makes it valuable for enlivening citrus accords or giving floral hearts a playful twist. Used at the right level it leaves a pleasant memory of crisp fruit without overstaying its welcome.
How & Where To Use Ethyl Methyl Butyrate-2
This is an easygoing material that pours cleanly and blends without fuss, so most perfumers enjoy having it on the bench. It flashes a bright fruit note the moment it hits alcohol and rarely clashes with other top notes which makes it a reliable pick for quick mock-ups.
In a classic apple accord it often teams up with hexyl acetate and a touch of cis-3-hexenol to give that first juicy bite. For strawberry themes it sits next to ethyl maltol to lift the sugar facet and keep the accord from turning candy-like. When you need a crisp fruit accent in a floral bouquet it can replace heavier esters such as amyl acetate, delivering sparkle without extra weight.
The recommended dose runs from a trace for subtle freshness up to about 3 % of the concentrate for a bold fruit pop. Above that level the note can feel sharp and slightly solvent-like, so most formulas stop well before 5 %. In fine fragrance 0.2 % to 1 % is common while fabric softeners may tolerate the upper end of the range because the base absorbs some of the edge.
Concentration changes the character. At low levels you get airy green apple. Push it higher and the strawberry nuance grows sweeter then tips into a tutti-frutti bubblegum effect. Testing a few dilutions on blotters will show you where the sweet spot lies for your brief.
Applications are broad: fine perfume, body wash, shampoo, bar soap, detergents, candles and room sprays all take it well. Its low flash point of about 28 °C means it evaporates fast so it is less suited to rinse-off products that sit hot in processing tanks for long periods. It also brings little to a base note, so look elsewhere if you need lasting fruit.
No special prep is required beyond making a 10 % alcohol solution for smelling and weighing. Keep the drum closed between uses to limit loss by evaporation.
Safety Information
Working with aroma chemicals calls for basic care and common sense to keep everyone safe.
- Dilute before evaluation: prepare a 10 % or weaker solution so the odour can be judged without overwhelming the nose
- Avoid direct sniffing: do not smell straight from the bottle waft the vapour from a smelling strip instead
- Good ventilation: blend and evaluate in a fume hood or well-aired room to prevent build-up of vapour
- Protective gear: wear nitrile gloves and safety glasses to keep the liquid off skin and out of eyes
- Health considerations: some people may develop irritation or allergy with skin contact prolonged or high-level exposure can be harmful and anyone who is pregnant or breastfeeding should seek medical advice before use
Always read the current safety data sheet from your supplier and follow any updates it contains. Check the latest IFRA standards for allowable limits in each product type to ensure your formula stays within safe usage levels.
Storage And Disposal
When handled with care Ethyl Methyl Butyrate-2 keeps its punchy fruit note for roughly two years from the date of purchase. Some labs report three years of good odour when bottles are kept chilled but for most users normal room storage is fine.
Pick a cool dark shelf away from radiators direct sun or any hot machinery. The material has a low flash point so keeping it below 25 °C is a smart safety move as well.
Polycone caps give a tight seal that stops the fast-moving vapour from creeping out. Avoid glass dropper tops because they leave a gap around the pipette and every opening speeds up evaporation.
Top up working bottles whenever the level drops. Less air space means less oxidation and your apple-strawberry note stays sharper for longer.
If you plan long-term storage a clean fridge at 4 °C will stretch the life of both the neat raw material and any alcohol dilutions. Bring the bottle to room temperature before opening to stop moisture from condensing inside.
Label every container with the name date of decant and basic hazards so anyone on the bench knows what they are grabbing.
For disposal mix unwanted liquid with an inert absorbent such as sand or cat litter then place it in a sealed bag for chemical waste collection. The ester is readily biodegradable which lowers environmental impact yet it should still stay out of sinks and drains unless your local rules allow small lab quantities of fragrance waste to enter the municipal system.
Summary
Ethyl Methyl Butyrate-2 is a simple ester that smells like crisp green apple touched with juicy strawberry. It shines in the top note giving an instant fruity lift to perfumes shampoos soaps and even candles.
Perfumers like it because it is affordable easy to blend and friendly to many bases. Use a trace for gentle freshness or push up to three percent when you need a bold pop.
The molecule is stable under normal lab conditions yet its low flash point and quick evaporation call for tight caps cool storage and prompt disposal of spent strips.
All in all it is a fun versatile tool that brings a blast of playful fruit to citrus accords florals or gourmand mixes without fuss or high cost.