In short
Tetramethylpyrazine is a pyrazine found in fermented and roasted foods. JECFA describes its odour as musty, fermented and coffee-like.
What Tetramethylpyrazine smells like
JECFA describes tetramethylpyrazine as white crystals or powder with a musty, fermented, coffee odour. Fraterworks describes white crystals with a roasted, nutty-musty aroma, distinct chocolate and cocoa facets, a dry tea-like quality and a warm, slightly fermented coffee undertone, milder than most pyrazines but still intense.
- Leading note
- Musty-fermented
- Supporting facets
- Coffee
- Character
- Musty
What makes Tetramethylpyrazine distinctive
A fermented, musty roast rather than the sharper roasted-nut note of the smaller pyrazines.
Concentration and dilution
Fraterworks advises pre-diluting the crystalline solid before working with it.
How Tetramethylpyrazine is used
Fraterworks uses it to build realistic chocolate, coffee, roasted-nut and black-tea accords in gourmand and oriental fragrances.
Typical role: modifier (used in small amounts to change the character of a blend).
How Tetramethylpyrazine differs from similar materials
- 2-Ethylpyrazine
- 2-Ethylpyrazine is the nuttier pyrazine, peanut butter and roasted; tetramethylpyrazine is mustier and more fermented.
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
A solid at room temperature; dissolve before use.
Identity and classification
- Type
- Aroma chemical
- Origin
- Occurs in nature
- Odour family
- Gourmand
- Note position
- Heart to base note
- Physical form at room temperature
- Solid
- Also known as
- 2,3,5,6-Tetramethylpyrazine, Ligustrazine
- CAS number
- 1124-11-4
- Molecular formula
- C8H12N2
- Molecular weight
- 136.19 g/mol
- IUPAC name
- 2,3,5,6-tetramethylpyrazine
The CAS number, formula and molecular weight are taken from PubChem compound 14296, 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 classify it (1,685 reports): H302 harmful if swallowed (100% of 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
-
2,3,5-Trimethylpyrazine
Aroma chemical · Gourmand — roasted, nutty, cocoa, earthy
-
Coffee Absolute
Absolute · Gourmand — roasted, coffee, smoky, bitter
-
Cacao Absolute
Absolute · Gourmand — chocolate, cocoa, roasted, bitter
Tetramethylpyrazine is also suggested as a partner on the pages for 2-Ethyl-3,5(6)-dimethylpyrazine.
Used in formulas and accords
Used in 3 published formulas
Tetramethylpyrazine is an ingredient in 1 perfume formula and 2 accords in the Formula & Accord Library.
Community formulas
RUŌOD House Originals
Original compositions by RUŌOD House.
Further reading
Questions about Tetramethylpyrazine
Is Tetramethylpyrazine natural or synthetic?
The molecule occurs in nature. Commercial Tetramethylpyrazine 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 Tetramethylpyrazine?
1124-11-4. It was checked against PubChem on 24 October 2026.
Which published formulas use Tetramethylpyrazine?
Tetramethylpyrazine is used in 3 published formulas in the RUŌOD Lab Formula & Accord Library: Cookies & Cream Accord, Jasmine Rice Accord and Patchouli Cold Brew. Each is listed with a link under "Used in formulas and accords" on this page.
Sources
- PubChem — compound 14296, checked 24 October 2026.
- PubChem — GHS classification (the ECHA C&L Inventory notifications and any harmonised EU entry), read 26 October 2026.
- PubChem — Tetramethylpyrazine (CID 14296): JECFA organoleptic description — odour database.
- Fraterworks — Tetramethyl Pyrazine — 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.