Isopentyl formate

Description

Isoamyl formate has a fruity, characteristic odor suggestive of black currant and plum with a corresponding sweet taste. May be prepared by reacting concentrated H2S04 over a mixture of isoamyl alcohols and sodium formate.

Chemical properties

Colorless liquid; fruity odor. Partially soluble in water; soluble in alcohol and ether. Combustible. Sp.Gr. 0.90. B.P. 132℃.

Chemical properties

Isoamyl formate has a plum, fruity characteristic odor suggestive of black currant, with a corresponding sweet taste.

Occurrence

Reported found in apple, pineapple, strawberry, vinegar, Gruyere cheese, chicken fat, beer, cognac, rum, cider, port wine, tea, honey, avocado, plumcot, mango, quince and sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.)

The Uses of Isopentyl formate

Artificial fruit syrups.

The Uses of Isopentyl formate

Isoamyl Formate is a synthetic flavoring agent that is a moderately stable, colorless to light yellow liquid of pungent pear-plum odor, being soluble in most fixed oils, mineral oil, and propylene glycol. Storage should be in a glass or tin container. It is used in fruit flavors such as pear, plum, and peach for application in dessert gels, puddings, candy, and ice cream at 14–28 ppm.

Definition

ChEBI: The formate ester of isoamylol.

Preparation

By reacting concentrated H2SO4 over a mixture of isoamyl alcohols and sodium formate.

Taste threshold values

Taste characteristics at 15 ppm: sharp green, apple and fruity with winey, fatty notes

Hazard

Strong irritant.

Purification Methods

The colourless liquid ester is soluble in 300 volumes of H2O and is soluble in common organic solvents. It is purified by repeated distillation using an efficient column at atmospheric pressure. [Beilstein 2 H 22, 2 I 18, 2 II 31, 2 III 43, 2 IV 30.]