Methyl laurate (CAS 111-82-0) — Sweet Middle Note Fragrance Ingredient
Methyl laurate
CAS 111-82-0
What Is Methyl laurate?
Methyl laurate is a synthetic fragrance ingredient commonly found in perfumes, soaps, and cleaning products. It contributes a mild, waxy, and slightly floral odor profile that blends well with other ingredients. This ester is valued for its ability to add subtle fatty notes without overpowering compositions, making it useful for creating balanced floral and fresh accords.
Safety Profile
GENERALLY SAFEWhat Does Methyl laurate Smell Like?
Methyl laurate offers a delicate, waxy aroma reminiscent of fresh candle wax with a whisper of floral undertones. Its scent evolves subtly, starting with a clean fatty note that softens into a faintly sweet, soap-like character. The dry-down is smooth and unobtrusive, leaving a barely perceptible trail that integrates seamlessly with heart notes.
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Used to enhance the soft laundry-like accord, adding a subtle waxy nuance that mimics freshly washed fabrics.
Contributes to the clean, soapy character that defines this minimalist fragrance.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: CCCCCCCCCCCC(=O)OC
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Methyl laurate is a fatty acid methyl ester derived from lauric acid. It’s typically synthesized through esterification of lauric acid with methanol. As a saturated ester, it exhibits excellent stability and low volatility. The molecule lacks chiral centers, making it optically inactive.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Boiling Point | 262 °C |
|---|---|
| Melting Point | 5 °C |
| Flash Point | >110 °C |
| Density | 0.87 g/cm³ |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 1-3% | Up to 5% | Background note enhancer |
| Soaps | 0.5-2% | Up to 3% | Adds clean character |
Classic Accords
Tip: Use to soften harsh top notes and add subtle waxiness to floral compositions.
Alternatives & Comparisons
Offers similar waxy characteristics with slightly higher molecular weight for longer-lasting effects.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.
IFRA Status
Not restricted by IFRA.
RIFM Assessment
Considered safe for current fragrance use levels by RIFM.
Sustainability
As a synthetic material, methyl laurate production doesn’t rely on agricultural resources. Modern manufacturing processes minimize environmental impact through efficient catalysis and solvent recovery systems.
Explore Methyl laurate
Browse essential oils and aroma compounds.
Browse on iHerb →Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
References
- Burdock, G.A. (2010). Fenaroli’s Handbook of Flavor Ingredients. CRC Press.
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.
Report a data errorIngredient Data Sheet
CAS 111-82-0Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 214.34 g/mol🔬 PubChem |
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 5.8🔬 PubChem |
| Boiling Point | 267 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Vapor Pressure | 0.0041 mmHg @ 25°C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 139 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Involatility Index | 0.0003💻 Calculated |
| log Kp (skin permeability) | 0.111💻 Calculated |
| SMILES | CCCCCCCCCCCC(=O)OC🔬 PubChem |
Volatility & Performance
| Fragrance Note | Heart💻 Calculated |
| Volatility Class | Very slow💻 Calculated |
| Persistence Score | 6.3 / 5💻 Calculated |
Odor & Flavor
| Primary Descriptors | coconutfatty• leffingwell |
| Functional Groups | esterether💻 RDKit |
| “Oily-fatty, winy and slightly floral odor with remote resemblance to Violet. Relatively diffusive and powerful, yet quite tenacious.”📖 Arctander | |
| Methyl laurate has a fatty, floral odor reminiscent of wine.📖 Fenaroli | |
Flavor Notes (Arctander)
| “The ester finds a little use in floral flavor types at very low concentration, normally about 0.02 to 1 ppm in the finished product.”📖 Arctander |
Sensory Thresholds
| Odor Detection Threshold | 0.002 ppm (n=2)📖 van Gemert |
Regulatory Status
| FEMA Number | FEMA 2715⚖️ 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: DTXSID5026889
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 214.349 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 0.87 g/cm^3🔬 EPA CTX |
| Boiling Point | 264.97 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Melting Point | 7.808 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Flash Point | 111.875 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Refractive Index | 1.433 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 246.605 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 5.41 Log10 unitless🔬 EPA CTX |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 5.432 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 5.432 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 6.9 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 | 0.004 mmHg🔬 EPA CTX |
| Viscosity | 2.817 cP📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 28.463 dyn/cm📊 OPERA |
| Thermal Conductivity | 142.555 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 | 10 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 0 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 64.051 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 25.392 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.
![2H-Pyran, 3,6-dihydro-4-methyl-2-[(2,2,3-trimethyl-3-cyclopenten-1-yl)methyl]- (CAS 947237-75-4) — Woody Base Note Fragrance Ingredient](https://thegoodscents.company/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2h-pyran-3-6-dihydro-4-methyl-2-1-1-768x439.webp)
![()-Bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-ene-2-carboxylic acid, ethyl ester (CAS 10138-32-6) — Woody Middle Note Fragrance Ingredient](https://thegoodscents.company/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/unnamed-file-89-768x439.webp)
