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Methyl Benzoate

Q: Is Methyl Benzoate natural or synthetic?

. Extraction: Produced synthetically by esterification of benzoic acid with methanol. Found naturally in several essential oils. Simple, inexpensive synthesis..

RESINS AND BALSAMS / sweet · floral · fruity

Methyl Benzoate

Category	RESINS AND BALSAMS
Subcategory	sweet · floral · fruity
Origin
Volatility	Top Note
Botanical	N/A — synthetic (also found naturally in Ylang-ylang, Tuberose)
Appearance	Colorless clear liquid
Producing Countries	China, Germany, United States
Pyramid	Top

Sweet, fruity-floral with a dry, feathery quality. Methyl benzoate smells like ylang-ylang's lighter side — faintly floral, subtly sweet, with an ester brightness.

Scent
The Full Story
Fun Fact
Extraction & Chemistry
In Perfumery

Scent

Mild, sweet-floral, slightly fruity. Dry and light — almost transparent. Less aromatic than most perfumery esters. A subtle, pleasant background quality. Low impact, moderate tenacity.

Evolution over time

Immediately

Mild sweet-floral opening. Subtle and dry.

After a few hours

Stable gentle sweetness. Background character.

After a few days

Quick, clean fade. Low tenacity.

The Full Story

CAS 93-58-3. The methyl ester of benzoic acid. A simple aromatic ester with a sweet, faintly floral, slightly fruity character. Methyl benzoate occurs naturally in ylang-ylang, tuberose, and clove.

The scent is mild — sweet, slightly floral, with a dry, almost feathery quality. It lacks the impact of most perfumery materials but provides a subtle, pleasant background sweetness. In ylang-ylang oil, methyl benzoate contributes to the lighter, less narcotic qualities. The molecule also has insect-repellent properties and has been studied as a fumigant.

Explore all seven extraits in the Discovery Set.

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Related: Amberwood · Andiroba · Bakhoor · Balsamic Notes · Benzoin Resinoid · Benzyl Benzoate · Benzyl Salicylate · Birch Tar

Did You Know?

Did you know?

Methyl benzoate is used by beekeepers as a fumigant to treat varroa mite infestations in beehives — the molecule is toxic to the parasitic mites but tolerated by honeybees at treatment concentrations, making it one of the gentler chemical control options for this devastating bee parasite.

Extraction & Chemistry

Extraction method: Produced synthetically by esterification of benzoic acid with methanol. Found naturally in several essential oils. Simple, inexpensive synthesis.

Molecular Formula	C8H8O2
CAS Number	93-58-3
Botanical Name	N/A — synthetic (also found naturally in Ylang-ylang, Tuberose)
IFRA Status	No known restrictions
Synonyms	Methyl benzoate, Benzoic acid methyl ester
Physical Properties
Lasting Power	1–3 hours
Appearance	Colorless clear liquid
Boiling Point	198.00 to 199.00 °C. @ 760.00 mm Hg
Flash Point	181.00 °F. TCC ( 83.00 °C. )
Specific Gravity	1.08200 to 1.08900 @ 25.00 °C.
Refractive Index	1.51300 to 1.52000 @ 20.00 °C.
Melting Point	-13.00 to -12.00 °C. @ 760.00 mm Hg

In Perfumery

Background modifier in floral and sweet compositions. Methyl benzoate contributes subtle sweetness as a natural component of ylang-ylang and tuberose oils. Rarely used as an isolate in fine fragrance. Its mild character makes it useful as a gentle sweet modifier at low concentrations.