Allyl butyrate (CAS 2051-78-7) — Sweet Top Note Fragrance Ingredient
Allyl butyrate
CAS 2051-78-7
What Is Allyl butyrate?
Allyl butyrate is a synthetic ester commonly used in food flavorings and some fruity fragrances. You’ll encounter it in pineapple-flavored candies and tropical fruit perfumes. This ingredient matters because it delivers a bright, juicy pineapple note that’s more stable than natural extracts, allowing consistent scent profiles in mass-produced products.
Safety Profile
GENERALLY SAFEWhat Does Allyl butyrate Smell Like?
Allyl butyrate bursts with a hyper-realistic pineapple top note – think freshly opened canned pineapple juice with a metallic tang. The heart develops into candied pineapple rings soaked in syrup, with a faint green-apple crispness. The dry-down reveals a subtle butyric undertone that grounds the sweetness, leaving a faint tropical impression that lingers close to skin.
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Used as the primary pineapple accord to create a photorealistic tropical fruit opening that contrasts with woody amber base notes.
Contributes to the signature pineapple top note, blended with blackcurrant and birch for a modern fruity-chypre effect.
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Allyl butyrate is an ester formed by the condensation of allyl alcohol and butyric acid. Industrially produced via acid-catalyzed esterification, it belongs to the class of unsaturated aliphatic esters. The molecule’s reactivity comes from its allyl group, which makes it more reactive than saturated esters. While naturally occurring in pineapples in trace amounts, commercial production is entirely synthetic for consistency and cost-effectiveness.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Boiling Point | 142-143 °C |
|---|---|
| Density | 0.908 g/cm³ |
| Refractive Index | 1.412 |
| Flash Point | 40 °C |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 0.5-2% | Up to 5% | Tropical fruit accords |
| Functional Fragrance | 0.1-0.5% | Up to 1% | Shampoos, soaps |
| Flavoring | 10-50 ppm | Up to 100 ppm | Pineapple flavors |
Classic Accords
Tip: Use citral to boost the green facets and prevent cloying sweetness in tropical compositions.
Alternatives & Comparisons
Less reactive saturated ester with similar pineapple character but lacking the green sharpness of allyl butyrate.
Provides stronger pineapple-punch notes with longer persistence, though less bright in top notes.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.
IFRA Status
No IFRA restrictions. Listed on IFRA Transparency List.
GHS Classification
RIFM Assessment
RIFM evaluation complete – no significant safety concerns at current use levels.
Sustainability
As a purely synthetic material, allyl butyrate has minimal environmental impact from sourcing. Production typically uses petrochemical feedstocks, though bio-based routes from fermented sugars are being explored. The short carbon chain makes it readily biodegradable.
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References
- Burdock, G.A. (2010). Fenaroli’s Handbook of Flavor Ingredients. CRC Press. ISBN 9781420090772
- Arctander, S. (1969). Perfume and Flavor Chemicals. Allured Publishing. Vol II No. 47
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.
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