Benzyl isobutyrate

Chemical properties

Benzyl isobutyrate has a fresh, floral, somewhat jasmine-like, fruity odor and sweet, strawberry-like taste.

Occurrence

Reported found in mint, spearmint, beer, cherimoya (Annona cherimolia Mill.) and Passiflora edulis hybrid juice.

The Uses of Benzyl isobutyrate

Useful in fruity-spicy-herbaceous fragrance types, in Gardenia, Jasmin, Rose bases, etc., in trace amounts or in higher concentration if used as a modifier for Benzyl acetate. Occasionally used in flavour compositions, mainly in imitation Banana, Raspberry, Strawberry, and in “Tutti-frutti” flavour. Concentrations are usually about 25 ppm in the finished product.

Preparation

May be prepared from benzyl alcohol and isobutyric acid, by the action of aluminum ethylate on a mixture of benzyl and butyric aldehydes.

Definition

ChEBI: Phenylmethyl 2-methylpropanoate is a carboxylic ester. It is functionally related to a benzyl alcohol.

Taste threshold values

Taste characteristics at 10 ppm: fruity and sweet with ripe berry nuances.

Synthesis Reference(s)

Synthesis, p. 1017, 1986 DOI: 10.1055/s-1986-31855

Flammability and Explosibility

Non flammable