In short
Methyl anthranilate is an ester found in orange blossom, neroli, jasmine and Concord grapes. It gives the grape-like, orange-blossom sweetness of white flowers.
What Methyl Anthranilate smells like
Methyl anthranilate has an orange-blossom odour and a sweet, fruity Concord-grape character; its taste is sweet, fruity and grape-like with a musty, berry nuance. A glossary likens it to Concord grape juice crossed with neroli. It reacts readily with aldehydes to form Schiff bases — aurantiol, made with hydroxycitronellal, is the best known — and it discolours soap and cosmetics, which limits its use there.
- Leading note
- Orange blossom
- Clear facets
- Concord grape
- Supporting facets
- Musty
- Faint facets
- Berry
- Character
- Sweet, fruity, heavy, floral
What makes Methyl Anthranilate distinctive
Grape. It is the orange-blossom material that also smells of grape juice — the note behind grape flavour as much as behind orange flower.
How Methyl Anthranilate is used
Used in orange-blossom, neroli and white-floral compositions, and in grape flavours; it is the starting point for Schiff bases. It discolours in soap and with aldehydes.
Typical role: modifier (used in small amounts to change the character of a blend).
How Methyl Anthranilate differs from similar materials
- Dimethyl Anthranilate
- Dimethyl anthranilate is softer and more mandarin-citrus, and does not discolour with aldehydes; methyl anthranilate is grape and orange blossom.
- Aurantiol
- Aurantiol is methyl anthranilate combined with hydroxycitronellal — sweeter, deeper, more balsamic and far longer-lasting.
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
Reacts with aldehydes, causing yellowing or browning; plan for discoloration in formulas containing both.
Identity and classification
- Type
- Aroma chemical
- Origin
- Occurs in nature
- Odour family
- Floral / Fruity
- Note position
- Heart note
- Physical form at room temperature
- Liquid
- CAS number
- 134-20-3
- Molecular formula
- C8H9NO2
- Molecular weight
- 151.16 g/mol
- IUPAC name
- methyl 2-aminobenzoate
The CAS number, formula and molecular weight are taken from PubChem compound 8635, 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 (2,660 reports): H319 causes serious eye irritation (99.8% of reports). 4 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
-
Neroli Oil
Essential oil · Floral / Citrus — floral, citrus, orange blossom, honeyed
-
Orange Flower Absolute
Absolute · Floral / Animalic — orange blossom, honeyed, indolic, floral
-
Hydroxycitronellal
Aroma chemical · Floral / Green — muguet, floral, soft, sweet
-
Indole
Aroma chemical · Animalic / Floral — animalic, indolic, floral, narcotic
-
Dimethyl Anthranilate
Aroma chemical · Citrus / Floral — mandarin, grape, orange blossom, sweet
Methyl Anthranilate is also suggested as a partner on the pages for Aurantiol, Champaca Absolute, Jasmine Sambac Absolute, Methyl beta-Naphthyl Ketone and Yara Yara.
Used in formulas and accords
Used in 24 published formulas
Methyl Anthranilate is an ingredient in 12 perfume formulas, 9 accords and 3 bases in the Formula & Accord Library.
Community formulas
RUŌOD House Originals
Original compositions by RUŌOD House.
Further reading
Questions about Methyl Anthranilate
Is Methyl Anthranilate natural or synthetic?
The molecule occurs in nature. Commercial Methyl Anthranilate 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 Methyl Anthranilate?
134-20-3. It was checked against PubChem on 19 October 2026.
Which published formulas use Methyl Anthranilate?
Methyl Anthranilate is used in 24 published formulas in the RUŌOD Lab Formula & Accord Library, including Açaí Accord, Black Musk and Brine Blossom Accord. Each is listed with a link under "Used in formulas and accords" on this page.
Sources
- PubChem — compound 8635, checked 19 October 2026.
- PubChem — GHS classification (the ECHA C&L Inventory notifications and any harmonised EU entry), read 26 October 2026.
- Wikipedia — Methyl anthranilate — published perfumery reference.
- ChemicalBook — methyl anthranilate (CAS 134-20-3) — odour database.
- Premiere Peau — Methyl anthranilate — published perfumery reference.
- 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.