alpha,alpha-Dimethylphenethyl butyrate (CAS 10094-34-5) — Sweet Top to middle Note Fragrance Ingredient

Sweet · Floral

alpha,alpha-Dimethylphenethyl butyrate

CAS 10094-34-5

Origin
synthetic
Note
Top to middle
IFRA
Use with awareness
Data as of: Apr 2026

What Is alpha,alpha-Dimethylphenethyl butyrate?

Alpha,alpha-Dimethylphenethyl butyrate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient used to add fruity-floral nuances to perfumes and scented products. You’ll encounter it in body care items, candles, and fine fragrances where a bright, uplifting character is desired. This molecule matters because it offers perfumers a stable, long-lasting fruity note that blends well with both floral and woody accords. Its versatility makes it a valuable tool for creating modern fruity-floral compositions.

Safety Profile

USE WITH AWARENESS
Generally safeUse with awarenessProfessional use
IFRA compliant at standard usage levels
Potential skin sensitizer at high concentrations
CAS
10094-34-5
Formula
Mixture
MW
Variable
Odor Family
Sweet · Floral
Layer 1 · Enthusiast

What Does alpha,alpha-Dimethylphenethyl butyrate Smell Like?

Alpha,alpha-Dimethylphenethyl butyrate opens with a burst of juicy pear and ripe apple, like biting into orchard fruits at peak ripeness. The heart reveals a delicate floralcy reminiscent of rose petals dipped in honey, with a subtle green stemminess keeping it fresh. As it dries down, the sweetness mellows into a soft muskiness, like fruit preserves left to macerate in fine brandy. The overall effect is bright yet sophisticated, with excellent diffusion that makes it perfect for modern fruity-floral compositions.

Scent Profile

In Famous Fragrances

Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.

Chance Eau Tendre(Chanel, 2010)

Used here to create the signature quince-jasmine accord, providing a crisp, modern fruity top note that contrasts beautifully with the floral heart.

La Vie Est Belle(Lancôme, 2012)

Contributes to the candied fruit effect in this gourmand floral, blending with iris and patchouli for a luminous sweetness.

Layer 2

2D Molecular Structure

alpha,alpha-Dimethylphenethyl butyrate

SMILES: CCCC(=O)OC(C)(C)CC1=CC=CC=C1

Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide

The Chemistry

Alpha,alpha-Dimethylphenethyl butyrate belongs to the ester class of fragrance compounds, synthesized through esterification of dimethylphenethyl alcohol with butyric acid. While not found in nature, its structure mimics fruity esters occurring in various fruits and flowers. The dimethyl substitution on the phenyl ring increases stability and modifies odor character compared to simpler phenethyl esters.

Physical & Chemical Properties

AppearanceColorless to pale yellow liquid
Odor StrengthMedium to strong

Perfumer Guide

Note Position
Top to middle
Volatility
Medium (2-4 hours)
Blending
Good
ApplicationTypical %RangeNotes
Fine Fragrance0.5-3%Up to 5%Fruity modifier
Soap0.1-0.5%Up to 1%Adds fruity lift

Classic Accords

Tip: Use with citrus oils to brighten fruity top notes or with white florals to enhance their natural fruitiness.

Alternatives & Comparisons

1
Phenethyl butyrate CAS 103-52-6

For a simpler fruity note without the dimethyl substitution’s complexity.

Layer 3

Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability

⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer

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

IFRA Status

No specific IFRA restrictions. General ester guidelines apply.

RIFM Assessment

Not currently evaluated by RIFM. Considered safe at standard usage levels.

Sustainability

As a synthetic material, this ester has minimal environmental impact in production. Its efficient synthesis from petrochemical feedstocks makes it more sustainable than some natural alternatives requiring agricultural land.

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References

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

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    Ingredient Data Sheet

    CAS 10094-34-5

    Physical Properties

    Molecular Weight220.31 g/mol🔬 PubChem
    LogP (Octanol-Water)3.5🔬 PubChem
    Boiling Point253 °C🔬 EPA CompTox
    Vapor Pressure63.7553 mmHg @ 25°C📊 OPERA
    Flash Point117 °C🔬 EPA CompTox
    Involatility Index4.6294💻 Calculated
    log Kp (skin permeability)-1.559💻 Calculated
    SMILESCCCC(=O)OC(C)(C)CC1=CC=CC=C1🔬 PubChem

    Volatility & Performance

    Fragrance NoteHeart💻 Calculated
    Volatility ClassVery fast💻 Calculated
    Persistence Score0.5 / 5💻 Calculated

    Odor & Flavor

    Primary Descriptorsapricotfruityplumtea• leffingwell
    Functional Groupsesteretheraromatic💻 RDKit
    “Mild-herbaceous, fruity odor in the Plum/Prune type. The undertones in a good-quality, acid-free ester are extremely pleasant, tea-like, warm and sweet. Needless to add, that the smallest traces of free Butyric acid are quite detrimental to this odor picture.”📖 Arctander
    a,a-Dimethylphenethyl butyrate has a mild, herbaceous, fruity (plum-prune) odor and an apricot, peach, plum-like taste.📖 Fenaroli

    Flavor Notes (Arctander)

    “Finds some use in fruit flavors, particularly in Apricot, Peach, Plum, Prune and European type of Cherry (non-almondny).”📖 Arctander

    Regulatory Status

    FEMA NumberFEMA 2394⚖️ FEMA GRAS
    GRAS StatusGenerally Recognized as Safe⚖️ FEMA GRAS
    IOFI ClassificationArtificial📖 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: DTXSID5038830

    Physical Properties

    Molecular Weight 220.312 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox
    Density 0.969 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX
    Boiling Point 241 °C🔬 EPA CTX
    Melting Point 19.384 °C📊 OPERA
    Flash Point 117 °C🔬 EPA CTX
    Refractive Index 1.493 Dimensionless📊 OPERA
    Molar Volume 224.822 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA

    Partition & Solubility

    LogP (Octanol-Water) 4.7 Log10 unitless🔬 EPA CTX
    LogD (pH 5.5) 4.104 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
    LogD (pH 7.4) 4.104 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
    LogKoa (Octanol-Air) 7.05 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA
    Water Solubility 0 mol/L🔬 EPA CTX
    Henry's Law Constant 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA

    Transport Properties

    Vapor Pressure 63.755 mmHg🔬 EPA CTX
    Viscosity 5.217 cP📊 OPERA
    Surface Tension 33.102 dyn/cm📊 OPERA
    Thermal Conductivity 133.155 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 5 count💻 Computed
    Aromatic Rings 1 count💻 Computed
    Molar Refractivity 65.34 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA
    Polarizability 25.903 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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