Ethyl Isovalerate – Juicy Apple, Pineapple & Tropical Fruit Fragrance Enhancer | Perfume Grade Aroma Chemical

Short Description

Ethyl Isovalerate is a powerful and highly diffusive fruity aroma chemical celebrated for its distinctive fresh apple character, juicy pineapple nuances and vibrant tropical-fruit sweetness.

With its combination of crisp green apple, ripe pineapple, delicate berry notes and subtle green freshness, Ethyl Isovalerate introduces exceptional brightness, juiciness and natural fruity character to fragrance compositions.

Particularly valuable in apple, pineapple, tropical fruit, berry and contemporary fruity-floral fragrances, Ethyl Isovalerate is an important ingredient for perfumers looking to create lively, realistic and beautifully balanced fruit accords.

Its bright, sparkling character makes it especially useful for developing modern fruity perfume openings and enhancing the natural impression of fresh fruit.

Supplied as a 10% ready-to-use solution in Dipropylene Glycol (DPG) for convenient and controlled fragrance formulation.

What Is Ethyl Isovalerate?

Ethyl Isovalerate (CAS: 108-64-5), chemically known as Ethyl 3-Methylbutanoate or Ethyl 3-Methylbutyrate, is a fruity ester widely used in professional fragrance development.

It belongs to the family of organic esters, many of which contribute the bright, sweet and recognisable fruit characteristics found in natural fruit aromas.

Its distinctive fragrance profile combines fresh green apple, juicy pineapple, sweet mixed fruit, subtle berry nuances and a lightly green, ethereal freshness.

Ethyl Isovalerate is particularly recognised for its ability to introduce a realistic fruity lift into fragrance compositions.

Unlike heavier sweetening materials such as Ethyl Maltol or Furaneol, which contribute caramelised, candy-like or cooked-fruit effects, Ethyl Isovalerate produces a distinctly fresh and juicy fruit impression.

This makes it especially useful for creating fragrances inspired by freshly cut apples, pineapple, tropical fruit cocktails and vibrant mixed-fruit compositions.

Its pronounced odour intensity allows relatively small additions to noticeably influence the opening character of a perfume.

In fruity-floral fragrances, Ethyl Isovalerate can introduce a sparkling fruit effect that complements rose, jasmine, peony and other floral compositions.

It also blends effectively with citrus oils, green materials and other fruity esters, making it an excellent building block for fresh and tropical fragrance structures.

Because it is relatively volatile, Ethyl Isovalerate contributes primarily to the top notes of a composition and should be supported by other materials when a longer-lasting fruit impression is required.

Aroma Profile

Odour Description

Fresh green apple

Juicy pineapple

Sweet tropical fruit

Crisp fruity sweetness

Delicate berry nuances

Fresh green undertones

Slightly banana-like fruitiness

Subtle orange nuances

Bright and sparkling

Sweet ester character

Freshly cut fruit

Diffusive and lively

Olfactive Family

Fruity / Apple / Pineapple / Tropical / Sweet / Green

Fragrance Position

Top Note

Why Perfumers Use Ethyl Isovalerate

Creates realistic fresh apple fragrance effects

Adds juicy pineapple character to tropical accords

Enhances the brightness of fruity compositions

Introduces sparkling fruity top notes

Supports natural-smelling mixed-fruit fragrances

Adds freshness to berry-inspired accords

Complements tropical-fruit combinations

Enhances the fruity opening of floral fragrances

Introduces subtle green-fruit characteristics

Adds complexity to fresh citrus compositions

Supports modern fruity and gourmand perfumes

Creates vibrant and recognisable fruit effects at low concentrations

Common Applications

Ethyl Isovalerate is particularly useful in:

Fine Fragrance

Green Apple Fragrances

Pineapple Perfumes

Tropical Fruit Accords

Mixed Fruit Fragrances

Fruity-Floral Perfumes

Berry Accords

Raspberry Fragrances

Fresh Citrus Perfumes

Apple and Pear-Inspired Accords

Fresh Gourmand Compositions

Tropical Cocktail-Inspired Fragrances

Contemporary Feminine Fragrances

Fresh Unisex Perfumes

Fruity Shampoo Fragrances

Selected Home Fragrance Applications

Blends Exceptionally Well With

Ethyl Butyrate

Ethyl Formate

Isoamyl Isovalerate

Isoamyl Formate

Benzyl Acetate

Aldehyde C-14 (Peach)

Aldehyde C-18 (Coconut)

Gamma Decalactone

Gamma Octalactone

Furaneol

Raspberry Ketone

Alpha Ionone

Beta Ionone

Phenyl Ethyl Alcohol

Hedione

Linalool

Linalyl Acetate

Cis-3-Hexenol

Bergamot Essential Oil

Lemon Essential Oil

Mandarin Essential Oil

Sweet Orange Essential Oil

Iso E Super

Ethylene Brassylate

These combinations allow perfumers to develop everything from crisp green apple fragrances and juicy pineapple accords to sophisticated tropical fruit, berry and contemporary fruity-floral compositions.

Typical Uses

Green Apple Accords

Ethyl Isovalerate is particularly valuable for developing the bright, juicy character associated with fresh apples.

Its sweet, slightly sharp and green-fruity qualities contribute to the impression of freshly cut apple flesh.

When combined with suitable green materials, fruity esters and fresh aldehydic ingredients, it supports realistic green apple accords.

Cis-3-Hexenol can introduce additional crisp green freshness, while complementary fruity materials provide sweetness and body.

This combination is especially useful for fragrances inspired by fresh Granny Smith apples and crisp green-fruit compositions.

Pineapple Fragrances

Ethyl Isovalerate contributes a characteristic juicy pineapple nuance that complements stronger pineapple materials.

When blended with Ethyl Butyrate, citrus ingredients and other tropical-fruit esters, it can create a brighter and more dimensional pineapple accord.

While Ethyl Butyrate supplies a particularly recognisable pineapple character, Ethyl Isovalerate contributes additional apple-like fruitiness, freshness and complexity.

This makes it useful in both realistic pineapple fragrances and modern fruity perfume compositions.

Tropical Fruit Accords

Ethyl Isovalerate is an excellent supporting ingredient in tropical-fruit fragrances.

Its fresh apple and pineapple characteristics complement mango, passion fruit, guava and mixed tropical-fruit concepts.

When combined with suitable fruity esters, lactones and citrus materials, it helps create a bright and juicy tropical opening.

Its freshness provides contrast to the creamy and sweet characteristics often associated with tropical fragrances.

Berry Fragrances

Ethyl Isovalerate can introduce a lively fruity brightness to raspberry, blackberry, blueberry and mixed berry-inspired compositions.

Its sweet, diffusive character complements deeper berry materials without contributing excessive caramelised sweetness.

When combined with Raspberry Ketone, Alpha Ionone, Beta Ionone and suitable fruity ingredients, it helps create greater contrast between fresh fruity top notes and richer berry heart notes.

Fruity-Floral Fragrances

Ethyl Isovalerate works particularly well in modern fruity-floral fragrances.

Its sparkling apple and pineapple nuances complement floral ingredients such as Hedione, Phenyl Ethyl Alcohol, Linalool and suitable rose materials.

Small additions can give floral fragrances a brighter, juicier opening.

This is particularly valuable in contemporary feminine fragrances where freshness and fruitiness are desired without creating an overly sweet gourmand effect.

Fresh Citrus Fragrances

Ethyl Isovalerate complements bergamot, lemon, mandarin and sweet orange essential oils.

Its fruity sweetness softens sharp citrus effects while maintaining a fresh, energetic opening.

When combined with citrus materials and suitable green ingredients, it helps create modern citrus-fruit compositions.

Apple & Tropical Cocktail Fragrances

The fruity ester character of Ethyl Isovalerate makes it useful in fragrances inspired by tropical cocktails and refreshing fruit drinks.

When combined with Ethyl Formate and other fruity esters, it can contribute a sparkling, juicy and slightly ethereal impression.

Additional citrus, floral or woody materials can be used to build a more complete fragrance structure.

Fresh Gourmand Fragrances

Ethyl Isovalerate can provide a bright fruity contrast above creamy, vanilla or caramel gourmand notes.

Its fresh apple and pineapple character is useful when a gourmand composition requires a lively fruit opening rather than continuous heavy sweetness.

Combined with suitable creamy lactones, vanilla materials and fruity ingredients, it can help create sophisticated fruit-and-cream fragrance concepts.

Modern Masculine & Unisex Fragrances

Although strongly associated with fruit accords, Ethyl Isovalerate can also contribute to modern masculine and unisex compositions.

When combined with Iso E Super, Hedione, citrus materials and aromatic woody ingredients, it introduces a subtle fruity brightness.

Careful dosing allows the material to enhance freshness without making the overall fragrance predominantly sweet or tropical.

Ethyl Isovalerate vs Other Fruity Esters

Several aroma chemicals contribute fruity effects, but each offers a distinctive fragrance character.

Ethyl Isovalerate

Fresh green apple

Juicy pineapple

Sweet mixed fruit

Subtle berry nuances

Light green freshness

Particularly useful for apple, pineapple and tropical-fruit accords

Ethyl Butyrate

Strong pineapple character

Sweet tropical-fruit brightness

Juicy, recognisable fruit effect

Particularly valuable for pineapple and tropical compositions

Ethyl Formate

Light, ethereal fruitiness

Rum and cognac-like nuances

Fermented-fruit character

Highly volatile

Particularly useful for boozy and sparkling top-note effects

Isoamyl Isovalerate

Sweet, ripe-fruit character

Fruity ester richness

Useful for expanding the body and complexity of fruit accords

Isoamyl Formate

Fruity, slightly alcoholic character

Fresh ester-like notes

Useful for creating additional complexity in fruity top-note compositions

Combining these esters in carefully balanced proportions allows perfumers to create more realistic and multidimensional fruity fragrance effects.

Product Specifications

Specification	Details
Material	Ethyl Isovalerate
Chemical Name	Ethyl 3-Methylbutanoate
Alternative Names	Ethyl 3-Methylbutyrate / Isovaleric Acid Ethyl Ester
CAS Number	108-64-5
Molecular Formula	C7H14O2
Chemical Family	Fruity Esters
Concentration	10% w/w
Diluent	Dipropylene Glycol (DPG)
Supplied Form	Ready-to-use working solution
Size	100 ml
Neat Material Appearance	Clear, colourless liquid
Olfactive Family	Fruity / Apple / Pineapple / Tropical
Fragrance Position	Top Note
Application	Professional fragrance formulation

Working With Ethyl Isovalerate 10%

Ethyl Isovalerate possesses a powerful, bright and highly recognisable fruity fragrance character.

Elysian Perfumes supplies it as a 10% working solution in DPG to allow convenient and controlled dosing during fragrance development.

Example formulation by weight:

• Ethyl Isovalerate (100% neat): 10 g

• Dipropylene Glycol (100% neat): 90 g

• Total: 100 g of 10% w/w working solution

The prepared solution contains one-tenth the active Ethyl Isovalerate of an equivalent weight of undiluted material.

When developing fruit accords, introduce the material gradually and evaluate its effect alongside complementary fruity esters.

Its distinctive apple and pineapple character can become dominant when used in excessive quantities.

For best results, evaluate both the initial opening and the fragrance after a period of maturation.

Because Ethyl Isovalerate primarily contributes top-note character, it should be supported by suitable heart and base materials where a longer-lasting fruity fragrance is required.

Important Formulation & Safety Considerations

Ethyl Isovalerate is a volatile organic ester, and the undiluted material is flammable.

The supplied 10% DPG solution must be assessed separately for its physical properties, handling requirements and applicable transport classification.

During fragrance preparation:

Work in a well-ventilated area.

Keep away from ignition sources.

Avoid unnecessary exposure to air.

Use accurate measuring equipment.

Keep containers securely closed.

Handle according to the applicable Safety Data Sheet.

The material should be incorporated into fragrance formulas at appropriate levels for the intended product.

Always assess finished-product stability, compatibility and applicable safety requirements before commercial release.

Storage Information

Store tightly sealed in a cool, dry and well-ventilated location, protected from direct sunlight, excessive heat and ignition sources.

Minimise unnecessary exposure to air to preserve the material's characteristic fresh fruity aroma.

Keep containers securely closed when not in use.

Use clean measuring equipment and avoid introducing moisture or other contaminants into the solution.

Monitor the prepared working solution for changes in appearance, odour or physical stability during storage.

Perfume Grade Quality

Elysian Perfumes supplies Ethyl Isovalerate as a prepared 10% working solution designed for convenient and controlled professional fragrance development.

Its distinctive combination of fresh apple, juicy pineapple, tropical-fruit sweetness and subtle green nuances makes it a valuable ingredient for realistic fruit accords and sophisticated contemporary fragrances.

Particularly suitable for professional perfumers, independent fragrance creators and fragrance developers producing fruity, tropical, floral and modern fragrance compositions.

For fragrance formulation use only. This product is a concentrated aroma ingredient, not a food flavouring, finished perfume or product intended for direct skin application. Finished formulations must be assessed for their intended use and comply with applicable safety and regulatory requirements.