In short
Benzyl isobutyrate is a benzyl ester with a fresh, fruity-floral odour. JECFA records it as a flavouring.
What Benzyl Isobutyrate smells like
JECFA, as published by PubChem, describes benzyl isobutyrate as a colourless liquid with a fresh, fruity-floral odour. PubChem links it to a natural-product database (COCONUT). Fraterworks describes a notably smooth sweetness with ripe strawberry and raspberry facets and subtle tropical, pineapple-like notes; where benzyl acetate is a sharp, penetrating jasmine-pear, benzyl isobutyrate gives smoother, rounder jasmine-berry effects.
- Leading note
- Fruity floral
- Character
- Fresh
What makes Benzyl Isobutyrate distinctive
A benzyl ester with the fruity side ahead of the floral.
How Benzyl Isobutyrate is used
Fraterworks presents it mainly as a modifier and blender in floral and fruity compositions, to add sweetness and naturalness.
Typical role: modifier (used in small amounts to change the character of a blend).
How Benzyl Isobutyrate differs from similar materials
- Benzyl Butyrate
- Both are benzyl esters of four-carbon acids; JECFA describes the branched isobutyrate as fresh and fruity-floral.
Each difference compares the published descriptions of the two materials. Smell varies with grade, supplier and dilution; compare them side by side on blotters before substituting one for another.
Identity and classification
- Type
- Aroma chemical
- Origin
- Occurs in nature
- Odour family
- Fruity / Floral
- Note position
- Top to heart note
- Physical form at room temperature
- Liquid
- Also known as
- Benzyl 2-methylpropanoate
- CAS number
- 103-28-6
- Molecular formula
- C11H14O2
- Molecular weight
- 178.23 g/mol
- IUPAC name
- benzyl 2-methylpropanoate
The CAS number, formula and molecular weight are taken from PubChem compound 7646, whose own record lists this CAS number; checked 24 October 2026.
Safety and compliance
Hazard classification of the neat substance, as PubChem summarises it, read 26 October 2026. Companies notifying the ECHA C&L Inventory report it as not meeting the GHS hazard criteria (1,604 of 1,670 reports). Unless it is harmonised, this is the notifiers' own classification, not a binding one.
This page is general information, not a safety assessment or a specification. Confirm identity, composition, IFRA status and allergen content from your supplier's documents for the lot you hold.
Materials it works with
-
Benzyl Acetate
Aroma chemical · Floral / Fruity — jasmine, fruity, pear, sweet
-
Benzyl Butyrate
Aroma chemical · Fruity / Floral — plum, fruity, floral, heavy
-
Hedione
Aroma chemical · Floral / Citrus — jasmine, transparent, citrus, airy
Used in formulas and accords
Used in 1 published formula
Benzyl Isobutyrate is an ingredient in 1 accord in the Formula & Accord Library.
Further reading
Questions about Benzyl Isobutyrate
Is Benzyl Isobutyrate natural or synthetic?
The molecule occurs in nature. Commercial Benzyl Isobutyrate may be made by synthesis or obtained from natural sources, so check the supplier's specification if the distinction matters to you.
What is the CAS number of Benzyl Isobutyrate?
103-28-6. It was checked against PubChem on 24 October 2026.
Which published formulas use Benzyl Isobutyrate?
Benzyl Isobutyrate is used in 1 published formula in the RUŌOD Lab Formula & Accord Library: Pineapple Accord. Each is listed with a link under "Used in formulas and accords" on this page.
Sources
- PubChem — compound 7646, checked 24 October 2026.
- PubChem — GHS classification (the ECHA C&L Inventory notifications and any harmonised EU entry), read 26 October 2026.
- PubChem — Benzyl isobutyrate (CID 7646): JECFA organoleptic description — odour database.
- Fraterworks — Benzyl Isobutyrate — distributor's description.
- Olfactory profile: the RUŌOD Lab team's synthesis of the published descriptions above, reviewed 26 October 2026. Evidence: more than one published description. Classification and the short description: revision 1. Descriptions of odour are judgement, not measurement.