Methyl amyl ketone

Other comments :

Comparing it with Methyl Hexyl Ketone, the latter has a more earthy than mushroom smell, as does Methyl Amyl Ketone.

Stability :

Stable in perfumes and diverse functional bases

Uses in perfumery :

Methyl Amyl Ketone is used in fruity notes, lavender notes (in trace amounts to give power from the top) and spicy notes.

Year of discovery :

Data not available.

Isomerism :

When the ketone function of Methyl Amyl Ketone is relocated, the smell can radically change. For example, Ethyl Butyl Ketone has a greener, oily and fruity smell. Aldehyde C-7 is a constitutional isomer of Methyl Amyl Ketone, but has a totally different smell from the latter.

Synthesis precursor :

A hydrogenation of Methyl Amyl Ketone converts it to 2-heptanol, which also has an olfactory interest.

Natural availability :

Methyl Amyl Ketone is present in many plants and cheeses. The plant that contains the most is a green alga called Ulva Rigida. However, it is the synthetic Methyl Amyl Ketone which is most often used in perfumery.

Synthesis route :

Methyl Amyl Ketone is synthesized by a catalytic oxidation of 2-heptenol. This oxidation can be done in the presence of sodium hypochlorite at a high temperature, for example.