In short
Ethyl vanillin is a synthetic analogue of vanillin, several times as strong. It has a sweeter, more confectionery-like vanilla note.
What Ethyl Vanillin smells like
Ethyl vanillin smells like vanillin but roughly three times as strong (estimates run from three to four times). Glossaries describe it as creamier and more confectionery — vanilla ice cream rather than vanilla pod — with less woody, phenolic resin than vanillin, though suppliers still list a phenolic note. Its use is so widespread that it has become the de facto smell of vanilla in commercial perfumery. Its strength means lower dosing and less discolouration.
- Leading note
- Creamy vanilla
- Clear facets
- Sweet, confectionery
- Faint facets
- Phenolic
- Character
- Sweet, creamy, intense, smooth
What makes Ethyl Vanillin distinctive
The dessert vanilla: sweeter, creamier and several times stronger than vanillin, with less of the pod's woodiness.
How Ethyl Vanillin is used
Used in gourmand, oriental and base-note accords and in confectionery flavours, at lower doses than vanillin.
Typical role: modifier (used in small amounts to change the character of a blend); fixative (slow to evaporate; helps a blend last and holds lighter notes).
How Ethyl Vanillin differs from similar materials
- Vanillin
- About three times as strong as vanillin and creamier, more confectionery, with less woody, phenolic resin. (compared directly by a cited source)
- Ethyl Maltol
- Ethyl maltol is candyfloss and caramelised sugar; ethyl vanillin is creamy vanilla. The two are often used together for sweetness.
- Ultravanil
- Ultravanil is a phenolic, smoky vanilla booster used beside ethyl vanillin; ethyl vanillin is the sweeter vanilla itself.
An asterisk marks a difference that a cited source states directly. The others compare the published descriptions of each material. Smell varies with grade, supplier and dilution; compare them side by side on blotters before substituting one for another.
Formulation considerations
A solid; dissolve before use. Discolours like vanillin.
Identity and classification
- Type
- Aroma chemical
- Origin
- Synthetic
- Odour family
- Gourmand / Amber
- Note position
- Base note
- Physical form at room temperature
- Solid
- CAS number
- 121-32-4
- Molecular formula
- C9H10O3
- Molecular weight
- 166.17 g/mol
- IUPAC name
- 3-ethoxy-4-hydroxybenzaldehyde
The CAS number, formula and molecular weight are taken from PubChem compound 8467, 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 classify it (2,046 reports): H319 causes serious eye irritation (20.7% of reports). 1,611 of the reports find it does not meet the hazard criteria. 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
-
Vanillin
Aroma chemical · Gourmand / Amber — vanilla, sweet, creamy
-
Ethyl Maltol
Aroma chemical · Gourmand / Fruity — candyfloss, caramel, sweet, jammy
-
Heliotropin
Aroma chemical · Powdery / Gourmand — powdery, almond, vanilla, floral
Ethyl Vanillin is also suggested as a partner on the pages for Methyl Diantilis, Ultravanil, Vanilla Absolute, Vanillin Isobutyrate and Vanitrope.
Used in formulas and accords
Used in 29 published formulas
Ethyl Vanillin is an ingredient in 12 perfume formulas, 15 accords and 2 bases in the Formula & Accord Library.
Community formulas
RUŌOD House Originals
Original compositions by RUŌOD House.
Further reading
Questions about Ethyl Vanillin
Is Ethyl Vanillin natural or synthetic?
Ethyl Vanillin is synthetic — it is made by chemical synthesis.
What is the CAS number of Ethyl Vanillin?
121-32-4. It was checked against PubChem on 19 October 2026.
Which published formulas use Ethyl Vanillin?
Ethyl Vanillin is used in 29 published formulas in the RUŌOD Lab Formula & Accord Library, including Banana Bread, Blueberry Accord and Burnt Sugar Smoke Accord. Each is listed with a link under "Used in formulas and accords" on this page.
Sources
- PubChem — compound 8467, checked 19 October 2026.
- PubChem — GHS classification (the ECHA C&L Inventory notifications and any harmonised EU entry), read 26 October 2026.
- Premiere Peau — Ethylvanillin — published perfumery reference.
- ChemicalBook — ethyl vanillin (CAS 121-32-4) — odour database.
- Scent.vn — Ethyl vanillin — distributor'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.