In short
Isoamyl acetate is the ester behind the smell of banana. It gives a sweet, fruity note.
What Isoamyl Acetate smells like
Isoamyl acetate has a strong odour described as both banana and pear — the 'banana oil' and 'pear oil' of artificial flavours, and the smell of pear drops. Perfumery sources note a heady, estery quality that turns solvent-like at high concentration; it is also used industrially as a solvent for lacquers and varnishes.
- Leading note
- Banana and pear drop
- Clear facets
- Sweet
- Supporting facets
- Estery, solvent-like
- Character
- Sweet, heady, loud, volatile
What makes Isoamyl Acetate distinctive
It is the artificial banana and pear-drop sweet — loud, estery and instantly recognisable.
Concentration and dilution
Solvent-like at high concentration.
How Isoamyl Acetate is used
Used in banana and pear flavours, in small amounts in fruity top notes, and as a solvent.
Typical role: modifier (used in small amounts to change the character of a blend).
How Isoamyl Acetate differs from similar materials
- Hexyl Acetate
- Hexyl acetate is less intense but more refined — greener pear and apple; isoamyl acetate is the loud banana and pear-drop. (compared directly by a cited source)
- Isoamyl Butyrate
- Isoamyl butyrate is fruitier and more apricot-pineapple, with a pear note; isoamyl acetate is the classic banana and pear drop.
- Prenyl Acetate
- Prenyl acetate is a fresher banana with green-apple and floral notes; isoamyl acetate is sweeter and more candy-like.
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
Very volatile.
Identity and classification
- Type
- Aroma chemical
- Origin
- Occurs in nature
- Odour family
- Fruity / Gourmand
- Note position
- Top note
- Physical form at room temperature
- Liquid
- Also known as
- Banana oil
- CAS number
- 123-92-2
- Molecular formula
- C7H14O2
- Molecular weight
- 130.18 g/mol
- IUPAC name
- 3-methylbutyl acetate
The CAS number, formula and molecular weight are taken from PubChem compound 31276, 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. It has a harmonised EU classification (Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008, Annex VI): H226 flammable liquid and vapor. Companies notifying the ECHA C&L Inventory report it as not meeting the GHS hazard criteria (1 of 2,937 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
-
Ethyl Butyrate
Aroma chemical · Fruity / Gourmand — pineapple, fruity, sweet
-
Hexyl Acetate
Aroma chemical · Fruity / Green — pear, apple, fruity, green
-
Benzyl Acetate
Aroma chemical · Floral / Fruity — jasmine, fruity, pear, sweet
Isoamyl Acetate is also suggested as a partner on the pages for Allyl Heptanoate, Amyl Acetate, Ethyl Acetate, Isobutyl Isovalerate, Propionaldehyde and trans-2-Hexenol.
Used in formulas and accords
Used in 2 published formulas
Isoamyl Acetate is an ingredient in 2 perfume formulas in the Formula & Accord Library.
Community formulas
RUŌOD House Originals
Original compositions by RUŌOD House.
Further reading
Questions about Isoamyl Acetate
Is Isoamyl Acetate natural or synthetic?
The molecule occurs in nature. Commercial Isoamyl Acetate 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 Isoamyl Acetate?
123-92-2. It was checked against PubChem on 19 October 2026.
Which published formulas use Isoamyl Acetate?
Isoamyl Acetate is used in 2 published formulas in the RUŌOD Lab Formula & Accord Library: Banana Bread and Ylang Rain Shelter. Each is listed with a link under "Used in formulas and accords" on this page.
Sources
- PubChem — compound 31276, checked 19 October 2026.
- PubChem — GHS classification (the ECHA C&L Inventory notifications and any harmonised EU entry), read 26 October 2026.
- Wikipedia — Isoamyl acetate — published perfumery reference.
- The Good Scents Company — isoamyl acetate — odour database.
- Scentspiracy — Isoamyl acetate — distributor's description.
- Olfactory profile: the RUŌOD Lab team's synthesis of the published descriptions above, reviewed 20 October 2026. Evidence: several independent published descriptions, which agree. Classification and the short description: revision 1. Descriptions of odour are judgement, not measurement.