Isoamyl acetate

Isoamyl acetate, also known as isopentyl acetate, is an ester formed from isoamyl alcohol and acetic acid, with the molecular formula C₇H₁₄O₂. It is a colorless liquid that is only slightly soluble in water, but very soluble in most organic solvents. Isoamyl acetate has a strong odor which is described as similar to both banana and pear.^[3] Pure isoamyl acetate, or mixtures of isoamyl acetate, amyl acetate, and other flavors in ethanol may be referred to as banana oil^[4] or pear oil.^[5]

Isoamyl acetate

Isoamyl acetate
Names
Preferred IUPAC name 3-Methylbutyl acetate
Systematic IUPAC name 3-Methylbutyl ethanoate
Other names Isopentyl acetate Isopentyl ethanoate Isoamyl acetate Banana oil Pear essence
Identifiers
CAS Number	123-92-2 Y
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
Beilstein Reference	1744750
ChEBI	CHEBI:31725 Y
ChEMBL	ChEMBL42013 Y
ChemSpider	29016 Y
ECHA InfoCard	100.004.240
EC Number	204-662-3
Gmelin Reference	101452
KEGG	C12296 Y
PubChem CID	31276
RTECS number	NS9800000
UNII	Z135787824 Y
UN number	1104 1993
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID9025453
InChI InChI=1S/C7H14O2/c1-6(2)4-5-9-7(3)8/h6H,4-5H2,1-3H3 Y Key: MLFHJEHSLIIPHL-UHFFFAOYSA-N Y InChI=1/C7H14O2/c1-6(2)4-5-9-7(3)8/h6H,4-5H2,1-3H3 Key: MLFHJEHSLIIPHL-UHFFFAOYAI
SMILES O=C(OCCC(C)C)C
Properties
Chemical formula	C7H14O2
Molar mass	130.187 g·mol−1
Appearance	Colorless liquid
Odor	Banana-like[1]
Density	0.876 g/cm3
Melting point	−78 °C (−108 °F; 195 K)
Boiling point	142 °C (288 °F; 415 K)
Solubility in water	0.3% (20 °C)[1]
Vapor pressure	4 mmHg or 0.533 kPa (20 °C)[1]
Magnetic susceptibility (χ)	−89.4·10−6 cm3/mol
Refractive index (nD)	1.4020 at 20°
Hazards
GHS labelling:
Pictograms
Signal word	Danger
Hazard statements	H226, H315, H319, H335, H336, H372
Precautionary statements	P210, P233, P240, P241, P242, P243, P260, P261, P264, P270, P271, P280, P302+P352, P303+P361+P353, P304+P340, P305+P351+P338, P312, P314, P321, P332+P313, P337+P313, P362, P370+P378, P403+P233, P403+P235, P405, P501
NFPA 704 (fire diamond)	1 3 0
Flash point	25 °C (77 °F; 298 K)
Explosive limits	1.0% (100 °C) – 7.5%[1]
Lethal dose or concentration (LD, LC):
LD50 (median dose)	7422 mg/kg (rabbit, oral) 16,600 mg/kg (rat, oral)[2]
LCLo (lowest published)	6470 ppm (cat)[2]
NIOSH (US health exposure limits):
PEL (Permissible)	TWA 100 ppm (525 mg/m3)[1]
REL (Recommended)	TWA 100 ppm (525 mg/m3)[1]
IDLH (Immediate danger)	1000 ppm[1]
Related compounds
Related compounds	Isoamyl formate
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). Y verify (what is YN ?) Infobox references

Natural occurrence

Isoamyl acetate occurs naturally in many plants, including apple, banana, coffee, grape, guava, lychee, papaya, peach, pomegranate, and tomato.^[6][7] It is also released by fermentation processes, including those used for making beer, sake, cognac, and whisky.^[6]

Isoamyl acetate is released by a honey bee's sting apparatus where it serves as a pheromone beacon to attract other bees and provoke them to sting.^[8]

Production

Isoamyl acetate is prepared by the acid-catalyzed reaction (Fischer esterification) between isoamyl alcohol and glacial acetic acid as shown in the reaction equation below. Typically, sulfuric acid is used as the catalyst. Alternatively, p-toluenesulfonic acid or an acidic ion exchange resin can be used as the catalyst.

It is also produced synthetically by the rectification of amyl acetate.^[9]

Applications

Isoamyl acetate is used to confer banana or pear flavor in foods such as circus peanuts, Juicy Fruit and pear drops.^[10] Banana oil and pear oil commonly refer to a solution of isoamyl acetate in ethanol that is used as an artificial flavor.

It is also used as a solvent for some varnishes, oil paints, and nitrocellulose lacquers. As a solvent and carrier for materials such as nitrocellulose, it was extensively used in the aircraft industry for stiffening and wind-proofing fabric flying surfaces, where it and its derivatives were generally known as 'aircraft dope'. Now that most aircraft wings are made of metal, such use is mostly limited to historically accurate reproductions and scale models.

Because of its intense, pleasant odor and its low toxicity, isoamyl acetate is used to test the effectiveness of respirators or gas masks.^[11]