Phenirat
Premium Synthetic Ingredient for Perfumery
Phenirat, or Phenoxyethyl isobutyrate, is a synthetic aromatic ester widely used in perfumery for its sweet, fruity-floralaroma reminiscent of rose, honey, and ripe fruits. It functions primarily as a modifier in fruity and floral accords, enhancing juiciness and roundness. With a gentle diffusion and greenish undertone, it adds lift and complexity to raspberry, pear, and tropical fruit profiles. Its ability to bridge green and floral notes makes it highly versatile across modern compositions.
Premium Synthetic Ingredient for Perfumery
Phenirat, or Phenoxyethyl isobutyrate, is a synthetic aromatic ester widely used in perfumery for its sweet, fruity-floralaroma reminiscent of rose, honey, and ripe fruits. It functions primarily as a modifier in fruity and floral accords, enhancing juiciness and roundness. With a gentle diffusion and greenish undertone, it adds lift and complexity to raspberry, pear, and tropical fruit profiles. Its ability to bridge green and floral notes makes it highly versatile across modern compositions.
Premium Synthetic Ingredient for Perfumery
Phenirat, or Phenoxyethyl isobutyrate, is a synthetic aromatic ester widely used in perfumery for its sweet, fruity-floralaroma reminiscent of rose, honey, and ripe fruits. It functions primarily as a modifier in fruity and floral accords, enhancing juiciness and roundness. With a gentle diffusion and greenish undertone, it adds lift and complexity to raspberry, pear, and tropical fruit profiles. Its ability to bridge green and floral notes makes it highly versatile across modern compositions.
Synthetic Ingredient Overview
🏭 Manufacturer: Symrise
🔎 Chemical Name: 2-Phenoxyethyl 2-methylpropanoate
🧪 Synonyms: Phenirat, Phenoxyethyl isobutyrate
🧬 Chemical Formula: C₁₂H₁₆O₃
📂 CAS N°: 103-60-6
📘 FEMA: 2873
⚖️ Molecular Weight: 208.25 g/mol
📝 Odor Type: Green (with fruity-floral nuance)
📈 Odor Strength: Medium
👃🏼 Odor Profile: Sweet, fruity, floral (rose-like), honeyed, lightly green
👅 Flavor Profile: Kiwi, sweet pear, honey, fruity-tropical
⚗️ Uses: Floral-fruity modifier, tropical fruity enhancer, raspberry and pear booster, specialty blends
🧴 Appearance: Colorless to pale yellow liquid
What is Phenirat?
Phenirat (2-Phenoxyethyl isobutyrate) is a synthetic aromatic ester used in perfumery for its complex, fruit-floral character. Structurally, it combines the phenoxyethyl alcohol backbone with isobutyric acid, resulting in a soft yet substantive aroma. Its molecular architecture contributes to a moderate volatility and smooth diffusion, making it ideal for nuanced layering.
Despite being labeled "green" in classification, its scent is more rounded and honeyed, with soft rose and ripe fruit associations. This makes it a versatile blender across fruit-centric or floral compositions where naturalistic sweetness is needed.
Olfactory Profile & Perfumery Applications
👃🏼 Scent Description: A smooth, sweet floral-fruity blend with rose and honey notes. Background greenness provides freshness. It evokes pear, kiwi, red fruits, and soft florals, with gentle persistence.
⚗️ Functional Roles:
Adds roundness to raspberry, kiwi, and pear accords
Supports rose and fruity-floral blends without overt sharpness
Contributes a natural fruit sweetness to synthetic structures
Useful in tropical, red fruit, and honeyed fantasy notes
🧴 Recommended pairings:
Raspberry ketone (enhances juiciness)
Ionones (for floral-violet bridges)
DMBC Butyrate (for sweet-tropical complexity)
Industrial & Technical Uses
Phenirat is used across:
Fine fragrance (fruity-florals, tropical florals, modern chypres)
Functional perfumery (body sprays, haircare, fabric softeners)
Flavor industry (FEMA 2873): Contributes pear, kiwi, and honey sweetness in low ppm ranges
Its non-overpowering odor and moderate tenacity make it particularly valuable in controlled sensory compositions or minimalist fruit-enhanced florals.
Regulatory & Safety Overview
IFRA: Permitted; usage levels based on category guidance
EU Allergens: Not listed among the 26 declarable allergens
FEMA GRAS: FEMA 2873 — approved for flavor use under controlled limits
ECHA (REACH): Registered; not classified as hazardous under CLP
Toxicology:
Low risk of sensitization at typical use levels
Stable in formulation under standard storage
No phototoxicity or persistent environmental classification
✅ Considered safe for use in perfumery and regulated food flavorings under current international frameworks.
Sources
Symrise Ingredient Database – Phenirat (103-60-6)
FEMA GRAS Database (No. 2873)
ECHA Substance Information
Fulvio Ciccolo, 2023 – Internal Evaluation Archive
Peer-reviewed perfumery chemistry literature
