Ethyl nonanoate (CAS 123-29-5) — Sweet Top Note Fragrance Ingredient
Ethyl nonanoate
CAS 123-29-5
What Is Ethyl nonanoate?
Ethyl nonanoate is a synthetic ester commonly used in perfumery for its fruity, waxy aroma. It’s found in artificial flavorings and some personal care products. This ingredient matters because it provides cost-effective fruity notes that mimic natural sources, allowing for consistent fragrance performance across different product formulations.
Safety Profile
GENERALLY SAFEWhat Does Ethyl nonanoate Smell Like?
Ethyl nonanoate bursts with a crisp, fruity character reminiscent of green apples and unripe bananas, with a subtle waxy undertone like candle wax. The top note is bright and slightly tart, evolving into a smoother, creamier heart that suggests coconut flesh. Dry-down reveals a faintly musky, clean laundry quality that lingers close to the skin.
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Used for its crisp fruity accent that complements the marine accord, adding a sporty freshness to the grapefruit top notes.
Provides subtle fruity undertones that bridge the citrus top and ambroxan base, enhancing the fragrance’s versatility.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: CCCCCCCCC(=O)OCC
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Ethyl nonanoate is a straight-chain fatty acid ester formed from ethanol and nonanoic acid. Industrially produced via esterification, it’s part of the ethyl ester family known for fruity odors. The molecule lacks chirality, making synthesis straightforward. Its relatively simple structure contributes to good stability in various pH conditions.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Boiling Point | 198 °C |
|---|---|
| Density | 0.865 g/cm³ |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 0.5-2% | Up to 5% | Fruity accent note |
| Functional Fragrances | 0.1-0.5% | Up to 1% | Clean fruity effects |
Classic Accords
Tip: Use to brighten citrus compositions or add realism to tropical fruit accords.
Alternatives & Comparisons
More intense fruity character with stronger pear-like notes, useful when more projection is desired.
Longer-lasting waxy-fruity note for fragrances requiring extended fruity dry-down.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.
IFRA Status
No IFRA restrictions. Approved for all applications.
RIFM Assessment
RIFM assessment confirms safe use at current industry levels.
Sustainability
Synthesized from petrochemical feedstocks, ethyl nonanoate offers consistent quality without agricultural variability. Production is energy-efficient compared to some natural alternatives. Being synthetic, it doesn’t contribute to overharvesting of natural resources.
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References
- PubChem Compound Summary for Ethyl nonanoate CID 31277
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.
Report a data errorIngredient Data Sheet
CAS 123-29-5Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 186.29 g/mol🔬 PubChem |
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 4🔬 PubChem |
| Boiling Point | 119 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Flash Point | 94.4 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| log Kp (skin permeability) | -0.996💻 Calculated |
| SMILES | CCCCCCCCC(=O)OCC🔬 PubChem |
Volatility & Performance
| Fragrance Note | Top💻 Calculated |
Odor & Flavor
| Primary Descriptors | fattygrapenuttywaxy• leffingwell |
| Functional Groups | esterether💻 RDKit |
| “Slightly fatty-oily, fruity and nut-like odor with a winy undertone. Fatty-nutty and delicately fruity, Apricot-type taste with a trace of a rosy note.”📖 Arctander | |
| Ethyl nonanoate has a slightly fatty, oily, nutty, fruity, odor reminiscent of cognac with a rosy-fruity note.📖 Fenaroli | |
Flavor Notes (Arctander)
| “Slightly fatty-oily, fruity and nut-like odor with a winy undertone. Fatty-nutty and delicately fruity, Apricot-type taste with a trace of a rosy note. It is widely used in flavor compositions for imitation Apple, Apricot, Quince, Cognac, Coffee, Grape, Pear, Quince, Wine, as well as in numerous ber”📖 Arctander |
Sensory Thresholds
| Odor Detection Threshold | 0.147 ppm (n=7)📖 van Gemert |
Regulatory Status
| FEMA Number | FEMA 2447⚖️ FEMA GRAS |
| GRAS Status | Generally Recognized as Safe⚖️ FEMA GRAS |
| IOFI Classification | Nature Identical📖 Fenaroli |
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: DTXSID1047651
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 186.295 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 0.863 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX |
| Boiling Point | 227.5 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Melting Point | -33.067 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Flash Point | 94.275 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Refractive Index | 1.427 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 213.592 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 4.257 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 4.257 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 4.257 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 5.82 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 0 mol/L🔬 EPA CTX |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0.001 atm-m3/mole🔬 EPA CTX |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 0.09 mmHg📊 OPERA |
| Viscosity | 1.83 cP📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 27.959 dyn/cm📊 OPERA |
| Thermal Conductivity | 139.816 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 | 8 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 0 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 54.785 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 21.719 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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