methyl nonanoate

Methyl nonanoate is an aliphatic ester with the molecular formula C₁₀H₂₀O₂. It belongs to the class of methyl esters derived from nonanoic acid and is often referred to by synonyms such as methyl pelargonate or nonanoic acid methyl ester. The compound presents as a colorless liquid with characteristic fruity and pear-like sensory notes accompanied by winey and waxy undertones. Its odor profile renders it valuable in flavor and fragrance applications. This ester naturally occurs in various fruits and foods including apples, bananas, and strawberries. Methyl nonanoate is documented under several chemical databases such as the ChEBI repository. It is primarily obtained via esterification reactions involving nonanoic acid and methanol or isolated from natural sources.

This compound naturally appears in diverse edible plants and animal products such as apple, banana, blackberry, pineapple, and butter. Methyl nonanoate is also identified in floral absolutes like boronia and osmanthus. These natural occurrences contribute to its widespread use as a flavoring agent, imparting fruity, pear, citrus, and tropical nuances to food products. Its function extends into cosmetic applications where it serves as a perfuming agent and emollient within skin conditioning formulations. Regulatory oversight includes its evaluation by FEMA (US) where it is listed with FEMA number 2724, and IFRA (Global) which sets usage limits to ensure safety. The ester’s presence in multiple fruit and floral profiles supports its versatility in both flavor and fragrance industries.

Methyl nonanoate is characterized by moderate volatility, exemplified by a boiling point near 213 to 214°C at standard pressure. Its melting point lies between -35 and -34°C. The compound exhibits a specific gravity around 0.875 to 0.877 at 20°C and a refractive index in the range of 1.42 to 1.423 at the same temperature. A logP value of approximately 4.32 reflects lipophilicity conducive to blending in oils and organic solvents but limited water solubility, measured between 12 and 23 mg/L at 25°C. The flash point of 86°C (converted from 186°F) indicates moderate flammability considerations in handling. Solubility in alcohol and dipropylene glycol facilitates its application in cosmetic and flavor formulations, whereas limited aqueous solubility necessitates appropriate solvent selection. These properties influence formulation strategies, balancing volatility, odor release, and compatibility with product matrices.

	methyl nonanoate
NIST Chemistry WebBook:	Search Inchi
Canada Domestic Sub. List:	1731-84-6
Pubchem (cid):	15606
Pubchem (sid):	134980205
Flavornet:	1731-84-6
Pherobase:	View

(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
CHEBI:	View
CHEMBL:	View
Golm Metabolome Database:	Search
HMDB (The Human Metabolome Database):	HMDB31264
FooDB:	FDB003305
YMDB (Yeast Metabolome Database):	YMDB01745
Export Tariff Code:	2915.90.5050
Typical G.C.
VCF-Online:	VCF Volatile Compounds in Food
ChemSpider:	View
Wikipedia:	View

Safety information

Preferred SDS: View
European information :
Most important hazard(s):
None - None found.
S 02 - Keep out of the reach of children. S 24/25 - Avoid contact with skin and eyes.
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.
Oral/Parenteral Toxicity:
intravenous-mouse LDLo 48 mg/kg Journal of the Reticuloendothelial Society. Vol. 3, Pg. 250, 1966.
Dermal Toxicity:
Not determined
Inhalation Toxicity:
Not determined

Safety in use information

Category:
cosmetic, 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 methyl nonanoate usage levels up to:
	3.0000 % in the fragrance concentrate.
Maximised Survey-derived Daily Intakes (MSDI-EU):		0.86 (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:		-	7.10000
beverages(nonalcoholic):		-	3.90000
beverages(alcoholic):		-	-
breakfast cereal:		-	-
cheese:		-	-
chewing gum:		-	-
condiments / relishes:		-	-
confectionery froastings:		-	-
egg products:		-	-
fats / oils:		-	-
fish products:		-	-
frozen dairy:		-	3.60000
fruit ices:		-	3.60000
gelatins / puddings:		-	-
granulated sugar:		-	-
gravies:		-	-
hard candy:		-	6.20000
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):

Flavouring Group Evaluation 2, Revision 1 (FGE.02) : Branched- and straight-chain aliphatic saturated primary alcohols and related esters of primary alcohols and straight-chain carboxylic acids and one straight-chain aldehyde from chemical groups 1 and 2 (Commission Regulation (EC) No 1565/2000 of 18 July 2000) - Opinion of the Scientific Panel on Food Additives, Flavourings, Processing Aids and Materials in contact with Food (AFC) View page or View pdf

EPI System: View

AIDS Citations:Search

Cancer Citations:Search

Toxicology Citations:Search

EPA Substance Registry Services (TSCA):1731-84-6

EPA ACToR:Toxicology Data

EPA Substance Registry Services (SRS):Registry

Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary :15606

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases:Data

WGK Germany:3

methyl nonanoate

Chemidplus:0001731846

RTECS:RA6906000 for cas# 1731-84-6