Butyl methacrylate (CAS 97-88-1) — Floral Top Note Fragrance Ingredient
Butyl methacrylate
CAS 97-88-1
What Is Butyl methacrylate?
Butyl methacrylate is a synthetic chemical primarily used in industrial applications like paints and adhesives. It occasionally appears in fragrance formulations as a modifier. This ingredient matters because it can contribute unique fruity or floral nuances when used carefully in perfumery, though it’s not a traditional fragrance material.
Safety Profile
PROFESSIONAL USEWhat Does Butyl methacrylate Smell Like?
Butyl methacrylate presents a sharp, fruity odor reminiscent of overripe apples with a plastic-like undertone. The initial burst carries a synthetic floral character that quickly evolves into a rubbery, chemical heart. In dry-down, it leaves a faint waxy impression. The overall effect is industrial rather than naturally occurring, with a persistent synthetic quality that requires careful blending.
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Used minimally to enhance the hyper-realistic green floral effect, contributing to the fragrance’s intentionally artificial interpretation of nature.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: CCCCOC(=O)C(C)=C
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Butyl methacrylate is an ester of methacrylic acid, belonging to the acrylate family. It’s produced industrially through esterification of methacrylic acid with butanol. The molecule features a reactive double bond that makes it useful for polymerization. In fragrance applications, it’s valued for its ability to modify and enhance certain fruity-floral effects, though it’s not a traditional perfumery material.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Boiling Point | 163 °C |
|---|---|
| Density | 0.895 g/cm³ |
| Flash Point | 50 °C |
| Vapor Pressure | 1.5 mmHg at 20°C |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | <0.5% | 0.1-1% | Used sparingly as modifier |
| Functional Fragrance | 0.1-0.3% | Up to 0.5% | Industrial applications |
Classic Accords
Tip: Use in trace amounts to add synthetic edge to fruity-floral compositions.
Alternatives & Comparisons
Similar properties with slightly less harsh odor profile, often preferred when a softer synthetic effect is desired.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.
IFRA Status
Not specifically restricted by IFRA but use is limited due to sensitization potential.
GHS Classification
RIFM Assessment
Not currently evaluated by RIFM for fragrance use.
Sustainability
Butyl methacrylate is petroleum-derived and produced through energy-intensive processes. Its environmental impact is primarily from manufacturing rather than end-use. Synthetic production avoids natural resource depletion but carries higher carbon footprint than many traditional fragrance materials.
Explore Butyl methacrylate
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References
- PubChem Compound Summary for Butyl methacrylate PubChem CID
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.
Report a data errorIngredient Data Sheet
CAS 97-88-1Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 142.2 g/mol🔬 PubChem |
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 2.9🔬 PubChem |
| Boiling Point | 163.5 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Vapor Pressure | 1.8 mmHg @ 25°C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 52.2 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Involatility Index | 0.1627💻 Calculated |
| log Kp (skin permeability) | -1.508💻 Calculated |
| SMILES | CCCCOC(=O)C(=C)C🔬 PubChem |
Volatility & Performance
| Fragrance Note | Top💻 Calculated |
| Volatility Class | Moderate💻 Calculated |
| Persistence Score | 0.5 / 5💻 Calculated |
Odor & Flavor
| Primary Descriptors | etherealfruityherbalsweet• leffingwell |
| Functional Groups | esteretheralkene💻 RDKit |
| “herbaceous odor with a warm-winey undertone and rather poor tenacity.”📖 Arctander | |
Flavor Notes (Arctander)
| “Sweet, slightly fruity and herbaceous taste.”📖 Arctander |
Sensory Thresholds
| Odor Detection Threshold | 0.1442 ppm (n=9)📖 van Gemert |
Physical data: PubChem (NIH/NLM), U.S. EPA CompTox Dashboard, EPA OPERA models, RDKit. Odor & flavor: Arctander (Perfume & Flavor Chemicals), Fenaroli's Handbook of Flavor Ingredients, Leffingwell. Thresholds: van Gemert (Compilations of Odour Threshold Values). Regulatory: IFRA Standards 51st, FEMA GRAS. Trade names: Surburg (Common Fragrance & Flavor Materials). All data compiled and cross-referenced for perfumertools.com.
Physicochemical Properties
DTXSID: DTXSID4024696
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 142.198 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 0.897 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX |
| Boiling Point | 162.5 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Melting Point | -64.583 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Flash Point | 52.188 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Refractive Index | 1.423 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 158.967 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 2.826 Log10 unitless🔬 EPA CTX |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 2.771 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 2.771 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 4.13 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 0.005 mol/L🔬 EPA CTX |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0 atm-m3/mole🔬 EPA CTX |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 2.016 mmHg🔬 EPA CTX |
| Surface Tension | 26.405 dyn/cm📊 OPERA |
| Thermal Conductivity | 138.457 mW/(m*K)📊 OPERA |
Molecular Descriptors
| Topological Polar Surface Area | 26.3 Ų💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Donors | 0 count💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Acceptors | 2 count💻 Computed |
| Rotatable Bonds | 4 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 0 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 40.455 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 16.038 Å^3📊 OPERA |
Data Sources:
🔬 EPA Experimental data from U.S. EPA CompTox Chemicals Dashboard & CTX APIs. 📊 OPERA Predicted using EPA's OPERA QSAR models. 💻 Computed Calculated from SMILES using RDKit.
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