We have found 46589 results matching your criteria.
Please wait while we search...

2-methyl 3-(methyl thio) furan

2-methyl 3-(methyl thio) furan is a sulfur-containing furan compound used as a flavoring agent with meaty, spicy notes found in cooked beef and coffee.
Chemical Structure

General Material Description

2-methyl 3-(methyl thio) furan is a sulfur-containing heterocyclic organic compound classified as a substituted furan. It is visually a clear to pale liquid with a molecular formula of C6H8OS and a molecular weight of approximately 128.19 g/mol. This compound has notable organoleptic characteristics, including sulfurous, meaty, and spicy aroma notes, often described as having nuances reminiscent of beef, coffee, and cheese. Common synonyms include dimethyl thiofurane and 2-methyl-3-methylsulfanylfuran. It is referenced in controlled-vocabulary chemical databases such as PubChem CID 526618. The compound is typically obtained from natural occurrences in foods or via synthetic routes for use in flavor formulations.

Occurrence, Applicability & Potential Uses

2-methyl 3-(methyl thio) furan naturally occurs in various cooked foods, prominently in cooked beef, coffee, and tea, contributing to their characteristic aroma profiles. Its flavor profile is predominantly sulfurous and meaty, making it valuable in flavoring applications that aim to replicate or enhance cooked meat, chocolate, cocoa, nutty, and wasabi-like notes. The compound is recognized by regulatory bodies such as FEMA (US), where it is listed under number 3949, and JECFA (FAO/WHO), under evaluation number 1061, confirming its acceptance for use as a flavoring agent. Usage levels are controlled to ensure sensory effectiveness while maintaining safety.

Physico-Chemical Properties Summary

Physicochemically, 2-methyl 3-(methyl thio) furan is a moderately volatile compound with an estimated logP of 2.324, indicating moderate lipophilicity. Its specific gravity ranges from 1.064 to 1.071 at 20 °C, and the refractive index varies between 1.506 and 1.514 at the same temperature. The vapor pressure is 2.606 mmHg at 25 °C, consistent with its volatility suitable for aroma applications. Solubility data indicate it is soluble in alcohol and moderately soluble in water (approximately 670.5 mg/L at 25 °C). The flash point is around 37.8 °C (100 °F), highlighting the need for careful handling under elevated temperatures. These properties influence its behavior in formulations and its sensory release profile.

FAQ

What is 2-methyl 3-(methyl thio) furan and where does it come from?
2-methyl 3-(methyl thio) furan is a sulfur-substituted furan compound known for its role as a flavoring agent. It naturally occurs in cooked beef, coffee, and tea, contributing significantly to their characteristic meaty and sulfurous aroma profiles. This compound can also be synthesized for use in flavor formulations that aim to reproduce these sensory attributes.
How is 2-methyl 3-(methyl thio) furan used in food flavoring?
This compound is utilized primarily as a flavoring agent to impart meaty, spicy, and sulfurous notes in food products. Its applications include enhancing flavors in baked goods, meat products, seasonings, and beverages like coffee and cocoa. Usage levels vary depending on the food matrix but are kept within the regulatory limits to maintain sensory quality without overpowering or safety risks.
What regulations govern the use and safety of 2-methyl 3-(methyl thio) furan?
2-methyl 3-(methyl thio) furan is regulated under FEMA (US) with FEMA number 3949 and evaluated by JECFA (FAO/WHO) as flavoring agent number 1061. Safety assessments include usage limits in various food categories, no observed effect levels, and exposure estimates such as maximized survey-derived daily intakes (MSDI). It is classified as a structure class II compound for safety evaluations, and its use levels are guided to ensure consumer safety without specific hazard labelling in global food safety frameworks.

US / EU / FDA / JECFA / FEMA / Scholar / Patents

Google Scholar Start search
Google Books Start search
Google Patents Start search
Perfumer & Flavorists Start search
EU Patents Start search
PubMeb Start search
NCBI Start search

Other Information

(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
HMDB (The Human Metabolome Database):HMDB36610
FooDB:FDB015526
YMDB (Yeast Metabolome Database):YMDB01452
Export Tariff Code:2930.90.9999
VCF-Online:VCF Volatile Compounds in Food
ChemSpider:View
EFSA Update of results on the monitoring of furan levels in food:Read Report
EFSA Previous report: Results on the monitoring of furan levels in food:Read Report
EFSA Report of the CONTAM Panel on provisional findings on furan in food:Read Report

General Material Information

Preferred name 2-methyl 3-(methyl thio) furan
Trivial Name 2-Methyl-3-(methylthio)furan
Short Description 2-methyl-3-(methylthio)furan
Formula C6 H8 O S
CAS Number 63012-97-5
FEMA Number 3949
Flavis Number 13.152
FDA UNII M46N02LDL4
Nikkaji Number J641.813I
MDL MFCD03701635
xLogP3-AA 1.90 (est)
NMR Predictor External link
JECFA Food Flavoring 1061 2-methyl-3-(methylthio)furan
FDA Patent No longer provide for the use of these seven synthetic flavoring substances
FDA Mainterm 63012-97-5 ; 2-METHYL-3-(METHYLTHIO)FURAN
Synonyms
  • dimethyl thiofurane
  • furan, 2-methyl-3-(methylthio)-
  • 2-methyl-3-(methylsulfanyl)furan
  • 2-methyl-3-(methylthio)-furan
  • 2-methyl-3-(methylthio)furan
  • 2-methyl-3-methyl thiofuran
  • 2-methyl-3-methylsulfanylfuran
  • 2-methyl-3-methylthio furan
  • 2-methyl-3-methylthiofuran
  • 2-methyl-3-thiomethylfuran
  • methylmethylthiofuran
  • 2-methyl-3-methylsulfanylfuran
  • 2-Methyl-3-(methylthio)furan
  • 2-Methyl-3-methylthiofuran
  • 2-Methyl-3-(methylsulfanyl)furan

PhysChem Properties

Material listed in food chemical codex No
Molecular weight 128.19395446777
Specific gravity @ 20 °C
Pounds per Gallon 8.864 to 8.922
Refractive Index 1.506 to 1.514 @ 20 °C
Vapor Pressure 2.606 mmHg @ 25 °C
Flash Point TCC Value 37.78 °C TCC
logP (o/w) 2.324 est
Solubility
alcohol Yes
water, 670.5 mg/L @ 25 °C (est) Yes
water No

Organoleptic Properties

Odor Type: Sulfurous
beefy, cheesy, coffee, minty, spicy, pungent, alliaceous, sulfurous, dry, meaty, brothy, mustard
General comment At 10.00 % in triacetin. beefy cheese coffee minty spicy
Mosciano, Gerard P&F 26, No. 5, 68, (2001) At 1.00 % in propylene glycol. Spicy, pungent alliaceous, sulfurous drying to a meaty brothy aroma with mustard and coffee nuances
Flavor Type: Meaty
meaty, spicy, solvent, coffee, nutty, cheesy
Mosciano, Gerard P&F 26, No. 5, 68, (2001) At 0.10 - 0.40 ppm. Mild meaty, spicy, slightly solvent like with coffee, nutty and cheesy nuances

Occurrences

Potential Uses

Applications
Flavoring purposes Chocolate cocoa , Coffee , Meat , Nut , Wasabi

Safety Information

Safety information

Preferred SDS: View
European information :
Most important hazard(s):
Xi - Irritant
R 36/37/38 - Irritating to eyes, respiratory system, and skin.
S 02 - Keep out of the reach of children.
S 24/25 - Avoid contact with skin and eyes.
S 26 - In case of contact with eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of water and seek medical advice.
S 36 - Wear suitable protective clothing.
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:
Not determined
Dermal Toxicity:
Not determined
Inhalation Toxicity:
Not determined

Safety in use information

Category:
flavoring agents
Recommendation for 2-methyl 3-(methyl thio) furan usage levels up to:
not for fragrance use.
Maximised Survey-derived Daily Intakes (MSDI-EU): 1.20 (μg/capita/day)
Maximised Survey-derived Daily Intakes (MSDI-USA): 0.10 (μg/capita/day)
NOEL (No Observed Effect Level): 1.30 (mg/kg bw per day)
Structure Class: II
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: 19
Click here to view publication 19
average usual ppmaverage maximum ppm
baked goods: 0.020000.20000
beverages(nonalcoholic): --
beverages(alcoholic): --
breakfast cereal: --
cheese: 0.005000.05000
chewing gum: --
condiments / relishes: 0.001000.01000
confectionery froastings: --
egg products: --
fats / oils: --
fish products: 0.030000.30000
frozen dairy: --
fruit ices: --
gelatins / puddings: --
granulated sugar: --
gravies: 0.030000.30000
hard candy: --
imitation dairy: 0.005000.05000
instant coffee / tea: --
jams / jellies: --
meat products: 0.050000.50000
milk products: 0.005000.05000
nut products: --
other grains: --
poultry: 0.050000.50000
processed fruits: --
processed vegetables: 0.003000.03000
reconstituted vegetables: 0.003000.03000
seasonings / flavors: 0.050000.50000
snack foods: 0.030000.30000
soft candy: --
soups: 0.030000.30000
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) related to Flavouring Group Evaluation 13 (FGE.13); Furfuryl and furan derivatives with and without additional side-chain substituents and heteroatoms from chemical group 14 (Commission Regulation (EC) No 1565/2000 of 18
View page or View pdf

Scientific Opinion on Flavouring Group Evaluation 13Rev1: Furfuryl and furan derivatives with and without additional side-chain substituents and heteroatoms from chemical group 14
View page or View pdf

Consideration of sulfur-substituted furan derivatives used as flavouring agents evaluated by JECFA (59th meeting) structurally related to a subgroup of substances within the group of “Furfuryl and furan derivatives with and without additional side-chain substituents and heteroatoms from chemical group 14” evaluated by EFSA in FGE.13Rev1 (2009)
View page or View pdf

Flavouring Group Evaluation 67 (FGE.67): Consideration of 40 furan-substituted aliphatic hydrocarbons, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids and related esters, sulfides, disulfides and ethers evaluated by JECFA at the 65th meeting (JECFA, 2006b) and re-evaluated at the 69th meeting (JECFA, 2009c)
View page or View pdf

Scientific Opinion on Flavouring Group Evaluation 13, Revision 2 (FGE.13Rev2): Furfuryl and furan derivatives with and without additional side-chain substituents and heteroatoms from chemical group 14
View page or View pdf

Scientific Opinion on Flavouring Group Evaluation 67, Revision 1 (FGE.67Rev.1): Consideration of 40 furan-substituted aliphatic hydrocarbons, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids and related esters, sulfides, disulfides and ethers evaluated by JECFA at the 65th meeting (JECFA, 2006b) and re-evaluated at the 69th meeting (JECFA, 2009c)
View page or View pdf

Scientific Opinion on Flavouring Group Evaluation 65, Revision 1 (FGE.65Rev1): Consideration of sulfur-substituted furan derivatives used as flavouring agents evaluated by JECFA (59th meeting) structurally related to a subgroup of substances within the group of ‘Furfuryl and furan derivatives with and without additional side-chain substituents and heteroatoms from chemical group 14’ evaluated by EFSA in FGE.13Rev2 (2011)
View page or View pdf

Scientific Opinion on Flavouring Group Evaluation 13 Revision 3 (FGE.13Rev3): furfuryl and furan derivatives with and without additional side-chain substituents and heteroatoms from chemical group 14
View page or View pdf

EPI System: View
AIDS Citations:Search
Cancer Citations:Search
Toxicology Citations:Search
EPA ACToR:Toxicology Data
EPA Substance Registry Services (SRS):Registry
Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary :526618
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases:Data
WISER:UN 1993
WGK Germany:3
2-methyl-3-methylsulfanylfuran
Chemidplus:0063012975