Vanillin Isobutyrate (Isobutavan®)

Synthetic Ingredient Overview

• 🔎 Chemical Name: Vanillin isobutyrate

• 🧪 Synonyms: Isobutavan®, Vanillyl isobutyrate

• 🧬 Chemical Formula: C₁₂H₁₈O₄

• 📂 CAS N°: 20665-85-4

• 📘 FEMA: Not listed

• ⚖️ MW: 222.24 g/mol

• 📝 Odor Type: Vanilla, Sweet, Fruity

• 📈 Odor Strength: Medium (~400 h on strip undiluted)

• 👃🏼 Odor Profile: Sweet, creamy vanilla; white chocolate, cream soda, soft apricot. No phenolic note.

• 👅 Flavor Profile: Vanilla, sweet, chocolate, creamy-buttery, fruity, with a mild cheese nuance.

• ⚗️ Uses: Color-stable substitute for vanillin; ideal for soaps, florals, gourmand blends.

• 🧴 Appearance: Clear, slightly viscous liquid

What is Isobutavan®?

Isobutavan® is a synthetic ester of vanillin, engineered for use in fragrance systems requiring high performance and color stability. It is commonly used in white soaps and pale emulsions where conventional vanillin or ethyl vanillin would cause discoloration over time. The molecule is part of a family of modified aromatic aldehydes designed to preserve the vanillic character while eliminating instability issues.

Unlike its phenolic precursors, Isobutavan® lacks the sharp, potentially oxidative qualities of free aldehydes and instead provides a round, buttery sweetness that enhances the gourmand body of a fragrance.

Olfactory Profile & Perfumery Applications

Olfactory Behavior:

• Top: Creamy, warm vanilla

• Heart: White chocolate, sweet buttery notes

• Base: Mild fruity-apricot finish, with excellent smoothness

Key applications:

• White soap formulations: Color-stable at up to 2% in concentrate

• Gourmand bases: Pairs with tonka, coumarin, heliotropine

• Floral orientals: Enhances creamy florals like gardenia, orange blossom

• Amber blends: Adds lactonic warmth without phenolic dryness

• Sweetened fougères: Use as a subtle fixative-sweetener

Isobutavan® functions best as a creamy-thickening agent, delivering diffusion and body without the powderiness of traditional vanillin. This makes it highly adaptable in both niche and mainstream applications, especially in formulations targeting freshness + comfort (e.g., baby, laundry, and bath care scents).

Industrial and Technical Uses

While primarily used in perfumery, Isobutavan® is noted in flavor profiles for its chocolatey-vanilla and buttery tones, though not widely approved for ingestion. Its mild sweet profile makes it an efficient masking agent in functional scented products such as:

• White or pastel liquid soaps

• Creamy cosmetic emulsions

• Fabric softeners with gourmand tones

• Candles with edible-themed accords

Thanks to its stability in high pH systems and non-reactive nature, Isobutavan® maintains color integrity even under processing stress.

Additional Information

Synthetic Route: Isobutavan® is synthesized by esterifying vanillin or ethyl vanillin with isobutyric acid in the presence of an alkali metal carboxylate catalyst (e.g., sodium or potassium acetate/formate). This reaction proceeds under solvent-free conditions at 60–120 °C, making it efficient, scalable, and low-impact in industrial settings.

A full synthetic description, including catalyst variation and purification protocols, is available in the patent filing: 👉 Patent CN102757343A – Method for preparing vanillin isobutyrate

This method offers:

• High yield

• Short production time

• Low energy cost

• Minimal solvent waste

• Compatibility with large-scale production

Regulatory & Safety Overview

• IFRA 51st Amendment: No restrictions listed

• EU Allergens: Not classified among the 26 declarable allergens

• FEMA GRAS: Not listed

• ECHA Classification: Not registered as hazardous

• Photostability: Excellent in standard packaging

• Toxicological Notes: Non-sensitizing, low volatility; generally safe in typical fragrance concentrations

Recommended usage: Up to 2% in fragrance concentrate for color-sensitive formulations.

Conclusion

Isobutavan® is a technically superior alternative to vanillin for perfumers seeking creamy sweetness with color stability. Its nuanced white chocolate and apricot notes make it ideal for sweet florals, amber bases, and white soap applications where stability is paramount. This molecule's formulation resilience and olfactory elegance ensure its position in modern perfumery as both a utility component and a creative enhancer.

Sources

• PubChem Compound CID 539829 – Vanillin Isobutyrate

• CN102757343A Patent – Vanillin Isobutyrate Synthesis

• Perfume and Flavor Chemicals, Steffen Arctander

• Fulvio Ciccolo Archives

• Internal formulation testing by Scentspiracy Team