In short
Ethyl 2-methylbutyrate is a fruity ester found in apples and many other fruits. It gives a fresh, juicy green-apple note to the top of a fragrance.
What Ethyl 2-Methylbutyrate smells like
Ethyl 2-methylbutyrate is a powerful, green-fruity, apple-like ester. Givaudan describes fruity and green with apple-peel and pineapple-skin notes and a very diffusive fruity effect; Symrise estery and very fruity, reminiscent of papaya, apple, quince, apricot and strawberry; PerfumersWorld green-fruity, apple peel, plum and ethereal. It occurs naturally in apples, strawberries and pineapple, and its odour threshold is extremely low.
- Leading note
- Fresh apple
- Clear facets
- Apple peel, green
- Supporting facets
- Pineapple skin
- Faint facets
- Berry, strawberry, ethereal
- Character
- Juicy, fresh, diffusive, green
What makes Ethyl 2-Methylbutyrate distinctive
The apple peel: crisp, green and juicy at once, and very diffusive — the most literal fresh-apple ester.
How Ethyl 2-Methylbutyrate is used
Used as a diffusive fruity modifier in floral accords and with other fruity esters, and in apple, strawberry and pineapple flavours.
Typical role: modifier (used in small amounts to change the character of a blend); lift (adds diffusion and radiance, especially at the top).
How Ethyl 2-Methylbutyrate differs from similar materials
- Manzanate
- Manzanate adds pineapple and a cider character; ethyl 2-methylbutyrate is the greener, more literal apple peel.
- Fructone
- Fructone is a sweeter, longer-lasting apple with pineapple, strawberry and a woody note; ethyl 2-methylbutyrate is fresher, greener and more diffusive.
- Hexyl 2-Methylbutyrate
- The hexyl ester is waxier and greener, with unripe strawberry and banana; the ethyl ester is brighter, juicier apple.
- Verdox
- Verdox is a woody, Granny-Smith apple that turns synthetic and sharp when overdosed; ethyl 2-methylbutyrate is a juicier, more natural apple peel.
- Isopropyl 2-Methylbutyrate
- Isopropyl 2-methylbutyrate, the isopropyl ester of the same acid, is greener and more tropical, with pineapple and pear.
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.
Formulation considerations
Very volatile; it fades quickly.
Identity and classification
- Type
- Aroma chemical
- Origin
- Occurs in nature
- Odour family
- Fruity / Green
- Note position
- Top note
- Physical form at room temperature
- Liquid
- CAS number
- 7452-79-1
- Molecular formula
- C7H14O2
- Molecular weight
- 130.18 g/mol
- IUPAC name
- ethyl 2-methylbutanoate
The CAS number, formula and molecular weight are taken from PubChem compound 24020, whose own record lists this CAS number; checked 19 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 (0 of 1,873 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
-
Manzanate
Aroma chemical · Fruity / Green — apple, fruity, fresh
-
Fructone
Aroma chemical · Fruity / Gourmand — apple, pineapple, fruity, sweet
-
Hexyl Acetate
Aroma chemical · Fruity / Green — pear, apple, fruity, green
Ethyl 2-Methylbutyrate is also suggested as a partner on the pages for Amyl Acetate, Cerezoate, Fraistone, Fruitaleur, Fruitate and Isobutyl Isovalerate.
Used in formulas and accords
Used in 7 published formulas
Ethyl 2-Methylbutyrate is an ingredient in 1 perfume formula, 5 accords and 1 base in the Formula & Accord Library.
Community formulas
RUŌOD House Originals
Original compositions by RUŌOD House.
Further reading
Questions about Ethyl 2-Methylbutyrate
Is Ethyl 2-Methylbutyrate natural or synthetic?
The molecule occurs in nature. Commercial Ethyl 2-Methylbutyrate 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 Ethyl 2-Methylbutyrate?
7452-79-1. It was checked against PubChem on 19 October 2026.
Which published formulas use Ethyl 2-Methylbutyrate?
Ethyl 2-Methylbutyrate is used in 7 published formulas in the RUŌOD Lab Formula & Accord Library, including Blueberry Accord, Cherry Accord and Dragon Fruit Accord. Each is listed with a link under "Used in formulas and accords" on this page.
Sources
- PubChem — compound 24020, checked 19 October 2026.
- PubChem — GHS classification (the ECHA C&L Inventory notifications and any harmonised EU entry), read 26 October 2026.
- The Good Scents Company — ethyl 2-methylbutyrate (with Givaudan, Symrise and PerfumersWorld descriptions) — odour database.
- ChemicalBook — ethyl 2-methylbutyrate (CAS 7452-79-1) — odour database.
- Sigma-Aldrich — ethyl 2-methylbutyrate — manufacturer's description.
- Olfactory profile: the RUŌOD Lab team's synthesis of the published descriptions above, reviewed 24 October 2026. Evidence: several independent published descriptions, which agree. Classification and the short description: revision 1. Descriptions of odour are judgement, not measurement.