3-Ethyl-2,6-dimethylpyrazine (CAS 13925-07-0) — Sweet Middle Note Fragrance Ingredient

ByThe Good Scents
Sweet · Woody

3-Ethyl-2,6-dimethylpyrazine

CAS 13925-07-0

Origin
synthetic
Note
Middle
IFRA
Generally safe
Data as of: Apr 2026

What Is 3-Ethyl-2,6-dimethylpyrazine?

3-Ethyl-2,6-dimethylpyrazine is a synthetic aroma chemical that creates rich, roasted coffee and nutty scents. You’ll encounter it in gourmand perfumes and flavored food products. This molecule matters because it adds depth and realism to coffee, chocolate, and roasted nut accords at extremely low concentrations.

Safety Profile

GENERALLY SAFE
Generally safeUse with awarenessProfessional use
✓ GRAS for food use (FEMA 3149)
⚠ Use at low concentrations (<0.1%)
CAS
13925-07-0
Formula
Mixture
MW
Variable
Odor Family
Sweet · Woody
Layer 1 · Enthusiast

What Does 3-Ethyl-2,6-dimethylpyrazine Smell Like?

A powerhouse of roasted decadence, 3-ethyl-2,6-dimethylpyrazine bursts with the aroma of freshly ground coffee beans and roasted hazelnuts. The initial impression is intensely dark – imagine espresso reduction meeting burnt caramel edges. As it evolves, the heart reveals toasted bread crusts and cocoa powder nuances. The dry-down lingers with a sophisticated tobacco-leaf sophistication, leaving a whisper of bitter chocolate and roasted barley. Exceptionally potent at parts-per-million levels, this pyrazine requires careful handling but delivers unparalleled realism in gourmand compositions.

Scent Profile

In Famous Fragrances

Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.

Black Phantom(By Kilian, 2017)

Provides the photorealistic coffee bean accord that grounds this dark gourmand, blending with rum and caramel for a boozy espresso effect.

Intense Cafe(Montale, 2012)

Used sparingly to amplify the roasted coffee core, adding burnt sugar nuances that complement the vanilla-rose heart.

A*Men Pure Coffee(Mugler, 2008)

Forms the aromatic backbone of the coffee illusion, interacting with patchouli to create a mocha-like richness.

Layer 2

2D Molecular Structure

2-Ethyl-3,5-dimethylpyrazine

SMILES: CCC1=C(C)N=C(C)C=N1

Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide

The Chemistry

3-Ethyl-2,6-dimethylpyrazine belongs to the alkylpyrazine class, known for their potent roasted and nutty aromas. While pyrazines occur naturally in coffee, cocoa, and roasted meats, this specific isomer is typically synthesized via condensation reactions of amino acids or through Strecker degradation pathways. The ethyl group at position 3 creates more steric hindrance than methyl groups, contributing to its distinctive roasted character. Commercial production often involves heating diacetyl with ammonia derivatives under controlled conditions to achieve the desired substitution pattern.

Physical & Chemical Properties

Boiling Point~220 °C (estimated)
Vapor Pressure0.02 mmHg at 25°C (estimated)

Perfumer Guide

Note Position
Middle
Volatility
Medium (2-4 hours)
Blending
Good with vanillic and balsamic materials
ApplicationTypical %RangeNotes
Fine Fragrance0.01-0.1%Up to 0.5%Powerful modifier for gourmand accords
Functional Fragrance0.001-0.01%Up to 0.05%Coffee and chocolate flavor enhancement

Classic Accords

Tip: Pre-dilute to 1% in DPG or TEC to avoid overwhelming blends with its intense roasted character.

Alternatives & Comparisons

1
2,5-Dimethylpyrazine CAS 123-32-0

Less roasted, more nutty character suitable for peanut or popcorn effects at slightly higher concentrations.

2
Trimethylpyrazine CAS 14667-55-1

Brighter coffee top note with less caramelized depth, useful for fresher coffee interpretations.

Layer 3

Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability

⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer

General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.

IFRA Status

Not restricted under IFRA standards. FEMA GRAS# 3149 for food use.

RIFM Assessment

RIFM evaluation confirms safe use at current levels in fragrances (Fragrance Material Review ongoing).

Sustainability

As a synthetic material, 3-ethyl-2,6-dimethylpyrazine has minimal agricultural impact. Production typically uses petrochemical precursors, though some manufacturers are exploring bio-based routes via fermentation-derived intermediates. Its extreme potency means very small quantities are needed, reducing overall environmental load.

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References

  1. Burdock, G.A. (2010). Fenaroli’s Handbook of Flavor Ingredients. CRC Press.

Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.

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Ingredient Data Sheet

CAS 13925-07-0

Physical Properties

Molecular Weight136.19 g/mol🔬 PubChem
LogP (Octanol-Water)1.5🔬 PubChem
Boiling Point180 °C🔬 EPA CompTox
log Kp (skin permeability)-2.466💻 Calculated
SMILESCCC1=NC=C(N=C1C)C🔬 PubChem

Volatility & Performance

Fragrance NoteHeart💻 Calculated

Odor & Flavor

Primary Descriptorsalmondburntchocolatehazelnutnutty• leffingwell
Functional Groupsaromatic💻 RDKit

Sensory Thresholds

Odor Detection Threshold0.0009 ppm (n=16)📖 van Gemert

Regulatory Status

IOFI ClassificationNature Identical📖 Fenaroli
Data Sources & Attribution
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: DTXSID7065679

Physical Properties

Molecular Weight 136.198 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox
Density 0.957 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX
Boiling Point 181 °C🔬 EPA CTX
Melting Point 39.203 °C📊 OPERA
Flash Point 71.925 °C📊 OPERA
Refractive Index 1.501 Dimensionless📊 OPERA
Molar Volume 141.249 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA

Partition & Solubility

LogP (Octanol-Water) 1.478 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
LogD (pH 5.5) 1.477 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
LogD (pH 7.4) 1.478 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
LogKoa (Octanol-Air) 4.81 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
Water Solubility 0.492 mol/L📊 OPERA
Henry's Law Constant 0 atm-m3/mole🔬 EPA CTX

Transport Properties

Vapor Pressure 0.549 mmHg📊 OPERA
Viscosity 2.924 cP📊 OPERA
Surface Tension 34.644 dyn/cm📊 OPERA
Thermal Conductivity 126.098 mW/(m*K)📊 OPERA

Molecular Descriptors

Topological Polar Surface Area 25.78 Ų💻 Computed
H-Bond Donors 0 count💻 Computed
H-Bond Acceptors 2 count💻 Computed
Rotatable Bonds 1 count💻 Computed
Aromatic Rings 1 count💻 Computed
Molar Refractivity 41.634 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA
Polarizability 16.505 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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