Methyl 2-Octynoate (Violet Leaf)

SyntheticGREENS, HERBS & FOUGERESgreen · violet · fresh

TopPyramid

3/5Strength

24hTenacity

1Origins

Specimen

Methyl 2-Octynoate (Violet Leaf) perfume ingredient — Top

N/A (synthetic molecule)

Definition

Intensely green-violet with a metallic, slightly waxy quality. Methyl 2-octynoate smells like a crushed violet leaf — sharply green, vegetal, with a particular violet-like freshness.

GREEN FRESH

Methyl heptine carbonate, Folione

Type: Ingredient
Olfactive family: Aromatic
Subfamily: Green notes
Cluster: Green leafy notes
Source: synthetic molecule
Chemical class: ester (acetylenic)

Instruments

Pyramid

TTop

HHeart

BBase

3/5Strength

Medium

odour strength

Tenacity on blotter

24hours

1 h6 h24 h3 d7 d400 h

at 100 %

Producing countries

Manufactured globally

Scent

Intensely green, metallic, violet-leaf-like. Sharp and vegetal with a waxy undertone. More concentrated and metallic than violet leaf absolute, greener than galbanum, less herbaceous than cis-3-hexenol. At dilution, the metallic edge softens and a more rounded green-violet character emerges. Very potent — small quantities create strong effects.

In PREMIEREPEAU

DISCOVERY SET7 × 2 ml →EXTRAIT DE PARFUMThe seven extraits →

The Full Story

CAS 111-12-6. Also known as methyl heptin carbonate. A synthetic acetylenic ester with a powerful green-violet character. Despite the 'violet leaf' descriptor in its common name, methyl 2-octynoate is entirely synthetic.

The scent is sharply green, with a particular violet-leaf quality — metallic, slightly waxy, intensely vegetal. It is a potent green materials in the perfumer's palette; even 0.1% in a composition can have a significant impact. The molecule has an almost aggressive greenness that must be used with careful restraint.

In perfumery, methyl 2-octynoate is used to recreate the violet-leaf accord and to add green freshness to floral and chypre compositions. It is one of several molecules (alongside cis-3-hexenol, galbanum, and violet leaf absolute) that collectively define the 'green' family in perfumery.

Explore all seven extraits in the Discovery Set.

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Extraction & Chemistry

Extraction method

Fully synthetic. Produced by esterification of 2-octynoic acid with methanol. No natural source. The molecule's potency means that very small production volumes meet perfumery demand.

Formula: C9H14O2
CAS: 111-12-6
Botanical: N/A (synthetic molecule)
Appearance: Colorless to pale yellow liquid
Odour strength: Medium
Lasting power: 24 hours at 100.00%
Synonyms: Methyl heptine carbonate, Folione

IFRA status

Restricted

Restricted under IFRA 51st Amendment. Maximum use levels apply per product category. Also listed among the EU 26 declarable fragrance allergens (EC 1223/2009 Annex III). When combined with Methyl octine carbonate (CAS 111-80-8), the total must not exceed the MHC limit.

Physical properties

Boiling point: 217.00 to 220.00 °C. @ 760.00 mm Hg
Flash point: 192.00 °F. TCC ( 88.89 °C. )
Specific gravity: 0.91900 to 0.92400 @ 25.00 °C.
Refractive index: 1.44600 to 1.44900 @ 20.00 °C.

In Perfumery

Top-to-heart modifier in green, chypre, and violet-leaf compositions. Methyl 2-octynoate provides intense green-violet character at trace dosages. It is central to violet-leaf reconstructions and adds green freshness to chypre and fougère compositions. Must be used with extreme restraint — overdosing creates a harsh, metallic result. Pairs with galbanum, violet leaf absolute, and floral notes. Maximum recommended usage is very low.

Role in the formula

01signature note

02top note lift

03freshness

04modifier

Available as

synthetic