diethyl sebacate

Diethyl sebacate, chemically known as decanedioic acid diethyl ester, belongs to the class of saturated aliphatic esters. It is represented by the molecular formula C14H26O4 and is recognized for its clear, colorless appearance and moderate fruity notes reminiscent of melon, quince, and wine. This compound is catalogued under various synonyms including sebacic acid diethyl ester and diethyl 1,10-decanedioate. It serves as a key flavoring and fragrance ingredient sourced primarily through synthetic esterification of sebacic acid with ethanol. The compound is documented with detailed chemical and safety information on authoritative databases such as PubChem. Its olfactory qualities and physicochemical characteristics make it a versatile material in multiple industrial applications.

Diethyl sebacate occurs as a synthetic derivation of sebacic acid, an aliphatic dicarboxylic acid originally obtained from natural sources like castor oil. This ester is utilized primarily in flavor and fragrance formulations where it contributes a pleasant fruity aroma with hints of melon and quince. It finds application as a medium-strength odorant in banana, raspberry, peach, pineapple, and currant type notes in perfumery and food flavoring. The compound also functions as an emollient, plasticiser, skin conditioning agent, and solvent in cosmetic and industrial formulations. Usage guidelines are regulated under standards such as FEMA (US), with the FEMA number 2376 indicating its approval as a flavoring substance. Additionally, IFRA (Global) recommendations restrict its concentration to ensure safe inclusion in consumer products.

Diethyl sebacate is characterized by a molecular weight of approximately 258.36 g/mol and manifests as a clear liquid with a refractive index ranging between 1.435 and 1.438 at 20°C. It exhibits a melting point near 1 to 4°C and a boiling point in the range of 302 to 305°C at atmospheric pressure, with a significantly reduced boiling range under vacuum conditions. The compound’s specific gravity lies between 0.96 and 0.965 at 25°C, and it displays low vapor pressure, around 0.001 mmHg at the same temperature, indicating low volatility. Its estimated partition coefficient (log P) of about 3.9 suggests moderate lipophilicity, affecting its solubility profile. It is soluble in alcohols, fixed oils, and paraffin oil but insoluble in pure water, with a slight solubility of about 80 mg/L at 20°C. These properties influence its behavior in formulations, making it suitable as a solvent and emollient but requiring consideration in aqueous systems.

	diethyl decanedioate
NIST Chemistry WebBook:	Search Inchi
Canada Domestic Sub. List:	110-40-7
Pubchem (cid):	8049
Pubchem (sid):	134974349

(IUPAC):	Atomic Weights of the Elements 2011 (pdf)
Videos:	The Periodic Table of Videos
tgsc:	Atomic Weights use for this web site
(IUPAC):	Periodic Table of the Elements
FDA Substances Added to Food (formerly EAFUS):	View
CHEMBL:	View
KEGG (GenomeNet):	D10682
HMDB (The Human Metabolome Database):	HMDB40429
FooDB:	FDB020162
Export Tariff Code:	2917.12.5000
ChemSpider:	View
Wikipedia:	View
FAO:	Diethyl sebacate

Safety information

Preferred SDS: View
European information :
Most important hazard(s):
Xi - Irritant
R 38 - Irritating to skin. S 02 - Keep out of the reach of children. S 24 - Avoid contact with skin. S 37 - Wear suitable gloves.
Hazards identification
Classification of the substance or mixture
GHS Classification in accordance with 29 CFR 1910 (OSHA HCS)
None found.
GHS Label elements, including precautionary statements
Pictogram
Hazard statement(s)
None found.
Precautionary statement(s)
None found.
Human Experience:
4 % solution: no irritation or sensitization.
Oral/Parenteral Toxicity:
gavage-rat LD50 [sex: M,F] 14470 mg/kg (Jenner et al., 1964) oral-rat LD50 [sex: M] 32000 mg/kg (Smith, 1953a) gavage-mouse LD50 [sex: M] > 32000 mg/kg (Lawrence et al., 1974) oral-guinea pig LD50 7280 mg/kg BEHAVIORAL: SOMNOLENCE (GENERAL DEPRESSED ACTIVITY) KIDNEY, URETER, AND BLADDER: URINE VOLUME INCREASED Food and Cosmetics Toxicology. Vol. 2, Pg. 327, 1964. oral-rat LD50 14470 mg/kg BEHAVIORAL: SOMNOLENCE (GENERAL DEPRESSED ACTIVITY) SKIN AND APPENDAGES (SKIN): HAIR: OTHER Food and Cosmetics Toxicology. Vol. 2, Pg. 327, 1964.
Dermal Toxicity:
Not determined
Inhalation Toxicity:
Not determined

Safety in use information

Category:
flavor and fragrance agents
RIFM Fragrance Material Safety Assessment: Search
IFRA Code of Practice Notification of the 49th Amendment to the IFRA Code of Practice
Recommendation for diethyl sebacate usage levels up to:
	10.0000 % in the fragrance concentrate.
Maximised Survey-derived Daily Intakes (MSDI-EU):		120.00 (μg/capita/day)
Use levels for FEMA GRAS flavoring substances on which the FEMA Expert Panel based its judgments that the substances are generally recognized as safe (GRAS).
The Expert Panel also publishes separate extensive reviews of scientific information on all FEMA GRAS flavoring substances and can be found at FEMA Flavor Ingredient Library
publication number: 3
Click here to view publication 3
		average usual ppm	average maximum ppm
baked goods:		-	41.00000
beverages(nonalcoholic):		-	4.10000
beverages(alcoholic):		-	-
breakfast cereal:		-	-
cheese:		-	-
chewing gum:		2.70000	450.00000
condiments / relishes:		-	-
confectionery froastings:		-	-
egg products:		-	-
fats / oils:		-	-
fish products:		-	-
frozen dairy:		-	9.10000
fruit ices:		-	9.10000
gelatins / puddings:		3.20000	19.00000
granulated sugar:		-	-
gravies:		-	-
hard candy:		-	21.00000
imitation dairy:		-	-
instant coffee / tea:		-	-
jams / jellies:		-	-
meat products:		-	-
milk products:		-	-
nut products:		-	-
other grains:		-	-
poultry:		-	-
processed fruits:		-	-
processed vegetables:		-	-
reconstituted vegetables:		-	-
seasonings / flavors:		-	-
snack foods:		-	-
soft candy:		-	-
soups:		-	-
sugar substitutes:		-	-
sweet sauces:		-	-

Safety references

European Food Safety Athority(EFSA):Flavor usage levels; Subacute, Subchronic, Chronic and Carcinogenicity Studies; Developmental / Reproductive Toxicity Studies; Genotoxicity Studies...

European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) reference(s):

Opinion of the Scientific Panel on Food Additives, Flavourings, Processing Aids and Materials in contact with Food (AFC) on a request from the Commission related to - Flavouring Group Evaluation 10: Aliphatic primary and secondary saturated and unsaturated alcohols, aldehydes, acetals, carboxylic acids and esters containing an additional oxygenated functional group and lactones from chemical groups 9, 13 and 30 - (Commission Regulation (EC) No 1565/2000 of 18 July 2000) View page or View pdf

Flavouring Group Evaluation 10, Revision 1 (FGE10 Rev1)[1] - Aliphatic primary and secondary saturated and unsaturated alcohols, aldehydes, acetals, carboxylic acids and esters containing an additional oxygenated functional group and lactones from chemical groups 9, 13 and 30 - Scientific Opinion of the Panel on Food Additives, Flavourings, Processing Aids and Materials in Contact with Food (AFC) View page or View pdf

Scientific Opinion on Flavouring Group Evaluation 10, Revision 2 (FGE.10Rev2): Aliphatic primary and secondary saturated and unsaturated alcohols, aldehydes, acetals, carboxylic acids and esters containing an additional oxygenated functional group and lactones from chemical groups 9, 13 and 30 View page or View pdf

EPI System: View

AIDS Citations:Search

Cancer Citations:Search

Toxicology Citations:Search

EPA Substance Registry Services (TSCA):110-40-7

EPA ACToR:Toxicology Data

EPA Substance Registry Services (SRS):Registry

Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary :8049

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases:Data

WGK Germany:2

diethyl decanedioate

Chemidplus:0000110407

RTECS:VS1180000 for cas# 110-40-7