This section provides an overview of 3-acetylpyridine, covering its manufacturing processes, applications in e-liquid, food, pharmaceutical, flavour, fragrance, and regulatory status. Also, please check out the introduction to 3-acetylpyridine manufacturers, supply chain issues, 3-acetylpyridine suppliers, and 3-acetylpyridine prices. Sinofi can help you buy 3-acetylpyridine in bulk for your industry applications at wholesale prices based on FEMA 3424 and CAS 350-03-8.
Table of Contents
What is 3-Acetylpyridine?
3-Acetylpyridine, also known as methyl 3-pyridyl ketone, represents an important heterocyclic aromatic compound in the flavour and fragrance industry. It serves as both a flavouring agent and a valuable intermediate in the synthesis of more complex flavour molecules. Its unique chemical structure and sensory properties make it particularly valuable for creating specific flavour profiles that enhance consumer products across multiple categories. 3-Acetylpyridine consists of a pyridine ring with an acetyl group at the third position. This specific arrangement creates distinct electronic and steric properties that influence both its reactivity and sensory characteristics. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), 3-acetylpyridine is approved to be used in the e-liquid, food, flavour, and fragrance industries.
Regulatory Status and Safety
3-Acetylpyridine has been evaluated by various regulatory bodies like JECFA, EFSA, ECHACHEM, NIST, and WHO. In the United States, it is listed as a synthetic flavouring substance permitted for use under FDA regulations (21 CFR 172.515). It has also been reviewed by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA), which has established specifications for its use as a flavouring agent. Within the European Union, it appears on the Union list of authorized flavouring substances under Regulation (EC) No 1334/2008. The fragrance standard of 3-acetyl pyridine has been set by organizations such as IFRA.
Sensory Profile and Applications
From an organoleptic perspective, 3-acetylpyridine presents a complex flavour profile characterized by nutty, roasted, and popcorn-like notes with underlying tobacco and coffee nuances. These characteristics make it particularly valuable in creating authentic roasted and toasted flavour profiles. In practical applications, 3-acetylpyridine finds extensive use in several flavour categories. It serves as a key component in coffee and cocoa flavour formulations, where it contributes to the complex roasted notes that consumers associate with high-quality products. The compound also plays a crucial role in tobacco flavouring, where it helps create the characteristic nutty and slightly sweet notes found in certain tobacco varieties. Additionally, it appears in savory applications, particularly in creating roasted grain, bread crust, and cooked cereal flavours that enhance snack foods, breakfast cereals, and baked goods.
CAS No.: 350-03-8
According to the American Chemical Society, the CAS number of 3-acetyl pyridine is 350-03-8.
CAS Name: 3-Acetylpyridine
Molecular Formula: C7H7NO
Molecular Mass: 121.14
Appearance: White to light yellow, clear liquid
JECFA Number: 1316
Boiling Point: 228.00 to 230.00 °C. @ 760.00 mm Hg
Solubility: Soluble in acids, alcohol, and ether.
Other Names:
♦ 3-Acetylpyridine
♦ Methyl 3-pyridyl ketone
♦ Methyl pyridyl ketone
♦ beta-Acetylpyridine
♦ 3-Acetopyridine
♦ 3-Acetyl pyridine
3-Acetylpyridine Odor
Odor Strength: High, recommend smelling in a 1.00 % solution or less
Substantivity: 45 hours at 100.00 %
Odor Description: At 1.00% in dipropylene glycol, sweet, nutty, popcorn-like aroma.
FEMA Number 3424
According to the Flavour and Extract Manufacturers Association (FEMA), the FEMA number of 3-acetylpyridine is 3424.
Bulk 3-Acetylpyridine Manufacturers
The bulk 3-acetylpyridine manufacturing has experienced steady growth over the past decade, with production capacity estimated at several hundred metric tons annually. Top 3-acetylpyridine manufacturers like Givaudan and Sigma Aldrich have established distinct market positions based on their technical capabilities, quality standards, and customer service approaches. China dominates global production capacity for 3-acetyl pyridine, accounting for approximately 60 to 65 percent of worldwide output. Chinese 3-acetylpyridine manufacturers benefit from integrated supply chains for pyridine derivatives, established infrastructure for heterocyclic chemistry, and cost advantages in both raw materials and processing.
Sinofi is a bulk 3-acetylpyridine manufacturer in China, and we have a manufacturing facility with 2,500 square meters for the production of 3-acetylpyridine and R&D in its application across e-liquid, food, pharmaceutical, flavour, and fragrance industries. We supply high-quality 3-acetylpyridine at bulk prices and serve global clients.
Manufacturing Process of 3-Acetylpyridine
The choice of synthetic route depends on multiple factors, including raw material availability, existing plant infrastructure, target production volume, and required product specifications. Manufacturers often develop proprietary modifications to established methods, optimizing reaction conditions and catalyst systems to improve yield, selectivity, and process economics. The electron-withdrawing effect of the pyridine nitrogen significantly deactivates the ring toward electrophilic substitution, requiring either activation strategies or alternative mechanistic pathways to achieve efficient acetylation at the 3-position.
Fundamental Synthetic Approaches
The synthesis of 3-acetyl pyridine can be accomplished through several distinct chemical pathways, each presenting unique advantages and limitations. The most industrially relevant route involves the direct acetylation of pyridine through Friedel-Crafts-type reactions, though the electron-poor nature of the pyridine ring necessitates modified conditions compared to benzene analogs. Alternative approaches include the oxidation of 3-ethylpyridine, the reaction of 3-bromopyridine with acetyl derivatives through organometallic coupling, and the cyclization of appropriate precursors to form the pyridine ring with the acetyl group already in place.
Primary Manufacturing Route: Modified Friedel-Crafts Acetylation
The predominant industrial method employs a modified Friedel-Crafts acetylation utilizing pyridine as the starting material. This process overcomes the inherent unreactivity of pyridine toward conventional electrophilic aromatic substitution by employing specialized catalyst systems and reaction conditions. The reaction typically proceeds through the formation of N-acetylpyridinium salts as intermediates, which undergo rearrangement to yield the desired 3-acetyl pyridine product.
The process begins with the preparation of an activated acetylating species, commonly generated from acetic anhydride or acetyl chloride in the presence of Lewis acid catalysts. Aluminum chloride, while effective for benzene acetylation, shows limited activity with pyridine substrates due to strong coordination with the nitrogen lone pair. More effective catalyst systems include zinc chloride, ferric chloride, or mixed metal halides that provide sufficient Lewis acidity while avoiding complete deactivation through nitrogen coordination. The reaction temperature typically ranges from 160 to 220°C, substantially higher than required for benzene analogs, reflecting the decreased reactivity of the pyridine system.
Alternative Route: Oxidation of 3-Ethylpyridine
An alternative manufacturing approach involves the selective oxidation of 3-ethylpyridine to 3-acetyl pyridine, offering advantages in selectivity and product purity. This method utilizes 3-ethylpyridine, available from coal tar distillation or synthetic routes, as the starting material. The oxidation can be accomplished using various oxidizing systems, including chromium-based reagents, manganese dioxide, or catalytic systems employing molecular oxygen.
Bulk 3-Acetylpyridine Suppliers
Direct 3-acetylpyridine manufacturers represent the first tier of suppliers, offering potential advantages in pricing, technical support, and supply reliability. Top 3-acetylpyridine suppliers like Givaudan and Sigma Aldrich provide comprehensive supply programs that extend beyond simple product delivery to include application development, regulatory documentation, and customization capabilities. These suppliers typically require longer-term commitments and higher minimum order quantities but offer superior supply security and technical partnership opportunities. Chinese 3-acetylpyridine suppliers represent significant supply capacity with attractive pricing for standard specifications. They have evolved considerably in recent years, with leading companies achieving international quality certifications and establishing sophisticated export operations. Their competitive advantages include production scale, raw material integration, and flexibility in accommodating varying order patterns.
Sinofi is a bulk 3-acetylpyridine supplier in China, and we have a warehouse with 1,200 square meters for high-quality 3-acetylpyridine. We sell different grades of 3-acetylpyridine at wholesale prices to e-liquid, food, pharmaceutical, flavour, and fragrance manufacturers.
Supply Chain of 3-Acetylpyridine
The 3-acetylpyridine supply chain represents a sophisticated network of interconnected entities spanning from basic petrochemical feedstocks to highly regulated end-use markets in pharmaceuticals, flavours, and specialty chemicals.
Upstream Supply Chain Structure
The foundation of this supply chain rests on petrochemical feedstocks and basic organic chemicals that serve as ultimate raw materials. Coal tar distillation historically provided the primary source of pyridine bases, though synthetic routes from aldehydes and ammonia have gained prominence in recent decades.
Manufacturing and Primary Distribution
The 3-acetylpyridine manufacturing tier comprises approximately fifteen to twenty significant global producers, ranging from integrated chemical companies with captive pyridine production to specialized fine chemical manufacturers operating tolling or custom synthesis business models.
Logistics Infrastructure and Material Flow
The physical movement of 3-acetyl pyridine through the supply chain requires specialized logistics infrastructure due to the compound’s classification as dangerous goods in most regulatory jurisdictions.
Wholesale and Buy 3-Acetylpyridine in Bulk
Successful procurement of 3-acetylpyridine in wholesale quantities requires integration of strategic planning, operational excellence, and risk management within a comprehensive procurement framework. 3-Acetylpyridine buyers must develop capabilities across supplier management, quality assurance, logistics optimization, and regulatory compliance to achieve procurement objectives while managing increasingly complex supply chains.
Strategic Procurement Framework
The development of an effective procurement strategy for bulk 3-acetyl pyridine begins with a thorough assessment of organizational requirements and constraints. Annual consumption volumes, quality specifications, delivery patterns, and budget parameters establish the foundation for procurement planning. Buyers must carefully evaluate whether their usage patterns justify direct manufacturer relationships or whether working through established distributors provides superior value, considering total cost factors, including inventory carrying costs, administrative overhead, and risk management requirements.
Supplier Qualification and Selection Process
The supplier qualification process for bulk 3-acetyl pyridine requires a comprehensive evaluation across multiple dimensions to ensure selected suppliers meet technical, commercial, and regulatory requirements. Technical qualification involves rigorous testing of product samples against established specifications, with particular attention to purity levels, impurity profiles, and consistency across multiple batches. Pharmaceutical applications require additional validation of synthetic routes, potential impurities, and analytical methods to ensure compatibility with regulatory submissions. The qualification process should include accelerated stability testing to verify product shelf life and storage compatibility under anticipated conditions. Sinofi is an official chemical vendor of PubChem, and we can guarantee the quality of our products.
As a bulk 3-acetylpyridine manufacturer and supplier in China, we wholesale 3-acetylpyridine to e-liquid, food, pharmaceutical, flavour, and fragrance industries. We also supply 3-acetyl pyridine to small customers. Normally, they want to buy 3-acetylpyridine in small quantities. To serve them, we can sell 3-acetylpyridine at bulk prices and provide a one-stop purchasing service.
3-Acetylpyridine Prices (USD/Kg)
Food Grade 3-Acetyl Pyridine Prices (GC Content >=99.0%)
| Volume | Unit Price | Shipment |
| 50g | 36 USD | Express |
| 500g | 182 USD | Express |
| 1Kg | 260 USD/Kg | Express |
| 20Kg | >20% cheaper | Express |
| 100Kg-Above | negotiable | Express / Sea |
Historical analysis of 3-acetylpyridine pricing reveals cyclical patterns overlaying a general upward trend driven by inflation and increasing quality requirements. Typical price cycles span three to five years, correlating with capacity addition cycles and broader chemical industry dynamics. Effective price negotiation for bulk 3-acetylpyridine requires a thorough understanding of cost drivers, market dynamics, and supplier economics. Raw material costs, particularly for pyridine and acetylating agents, typically represent forty to sixty percent of total production costs, providing the foundation for price discussions. Energy costs, labor rates, and regulatory compliance expenses contribute additional cost elements that vary significantly across geographic regions and individual suppliers.
Furthermore, the above price quotations of 3-acetyl pyridine do not include the express shipping fee. The reason is that the shipment cost may exceed the value of the 3-acetylpyridine sample. However, the bulk wholesale prices will be much lower than those of small orders. Please contact us for more details.
3-Acetylpyridine Specification
| Appearance: | White to light yellow clear liquid |
| Odor: | Sweet, nutty, popcorn-like aroma |
| Purity (GC) | >=99% |
| Specific Gravity(25°C/25°C) | 1.103 – 1.115 |
| Refractive Index (20°C/D) | 1.530 – 1.540 |
| Arsenic (mg/Kg) | <=3.0 |
| Heavy Metal (as Pb, mg/Kg) | <=10.0 |
3-Acetylpyridine Uses
3-Acetyl pyridine, characterized by its distinctive nutty, roasted aroma and reactive chemical properties, has established itself as an essential component in flavour formulation, pharmaceutical synthesis, and specialty chemical manufacturing.
Flavour and Fragrance Industry Applications
The flavour and fragrance sector represents the most established and significant application area for 3-acetyl pyridine, where it functions as a crucial component in creating authentic and appealing sensory profiles. It contributes distinctive roasted, nutty, and popcorn-like notes that prove particularly valuable in formulating complex flavour systems. Its low odor threshold, typically ranging from 0.05 to 0.1 parts per million in aqueous solutions, demonstrates remarkable potency that enables flavour chemists to achieve desired sensory impacts with minimal usage levels.
In coffee and cocoa applications, 3-acetyl pyridine plays an indispensable role in recreating the complex aromatic profiles associated with roasted products. The compound contributes to the characteristic notes that consumers associate with high-quality coffee, particularly the nutty and slightly caramelized aspects that develop during the roasting process. Flavour formulators typically incorporate 3-acetyl pyridine at levels ranging from 0.5 to 5 parts per million in finished coffee products, where it works synergistically with other pyrazines, thiazoles, and furans to create authentic roasted profiles. The compound’s stability during thermal processing makes it particularly suitable for instant coffee applications where flavours must survive spray-drying or freeze-drying operations.
Tobacco flavouring represents another significant application where 3-acetyl pyridine contributes to the complex sensory experience. The compound helps recreate the naturally occurring pyridine derivatives found in cured tobacco leaves, providing subtle nutty and slightly sweet notes that enhance the overall smoking experience. Modern reduced-risk tobacco products and electronic cigarette formulations increasingly rely on precisely characterized flavour compounds like 3-acetyl pyridine to deliver consistent sensory experiences while meeting regulatory requirements for ingredient disclosure and safety assessment.
Savory flavour applications leverage 3-acetylpyridine’s ability to impart cooked, roasted, and baked characteristics to processed foods. It proves particularly effective in creating authentic bread crust, roasted grain, and cooked cereal notes in snack foods, breakfast cereals, and bakery products. Its contribution to Maillard-type flavours makes it valuable for enhancing the perceived quality and authenticity of thermally processed foods where natural flavour development may be limited by processing constraints or shelf-life requirements.
The fragrance industry utilizes 3-acetyl pyridine primarily in specialty compositions where tobacco, leather, or gourmand notes are desired. While its strong character limits broad application in fine fragrances, the compound finds use in masculine fragrances and specialty products where its distinctive profile contributes to unique olfactory signatures. Technical fragrances for household and industrial products occasionally incorporate 3-acetyl pyridine to mask unpleasant odors or create specific sensory associations with cleanliness or freshness.
Pharmaceutical Synthesis Applications
The pharmaceutical industry represents a growing and high-value application segment for 3-acetyl pyridine, where it serves as a critical intermediate in synthesizing various drug substances. The compound’s bifunctional nature, combining a reactive ketone group with a pyridine heterocycle, enables diverse synthetic transformations that produce pharmacologically active molecules. The electron-deficient pyridine ring and adjacent carbonyl group create opportunities for nucleophilic additions, condensation reactions, and heterocyclic ring constructions that form the basis for numerous pharmaceutical syntheses.
Chemical Synthesis and Industrial Applications
Beyond direct applications in flavours and pharmaceuticals, 3-acetyl pyridine functions as a versatile intermediate in producing various specialty chemicals and advanced materials. The compound’s utility in chemical synthesis stems from its ability to undergo diverse transformations, including reduction to secondary alcohols, oxidation to carboxylic acids, and condensation reactions forming carbon-carbon bonds. These fundamental transformations enable access to a wide array of functionalized pyridine derivatives with applications across multiple industries.
3-Acetylpyridine in E-liquid and Vaping Products
The evolution of electronic nicotine delivery systems has created unprecedented demand for sophisticated flavour chemistry that can replicate traditional tobacco experiences while enabling novel sensory profiles. The application of 3-acetyl pyridine in e-liquid and vaping products represents a sophisticated intersection of flavour chemistry, aerosol science, and regulatory compliance that continues to evolve with the broader vaping industry. It serves a dual purpose in modern vaping products by both enhancing flavour complexity and contributing to the authentic recreation of traditional tobacco sensations.
Functional Role in E-liquid Formulation
The primary function of 3-acetyl pyridine in e-liquid formulations centers on its contribution to authentic tobacco flavour profiles that satisfy experienced users transitioning from traditional cigarettes. It provides essential nutty, slightly sweet, and roasted notes that users associate with quality tobacco products, particularly those characteristics developed during the curing and aging processes of tobacco leaves. These sensory attributes prove difficult to replicate using other flavouring compounds, making 3-acetyl pyridine particularly valuable for manufacturers targeting adult smokers seeking satisfying alternatives to combustible cigarettes.
Beyond tobacco flavour applications, 3-acetyl pyridine contributes to complexity in non-tobacco flavour systems where subtle background notes enhance overall sensory appeal. Coffee, chocolate, and caramel flavour profiles benefit from trace additions of 3-acetyl pyridine that provide depth and authenticity without dominating the primary flavour direction. This versatility has expanded the compound’s utility across diverse e-liquid product categories, from traditional tobacco alternatives to innovative flavour combinations targeting different consumer preferences.
Technical Considerations for Vaping Applications
The thermal behavior of 3-acetyl pyridine under vaping conditions requires careful consideration during formulation development. Electronic vaping devices operate at temperatures typically ranging from 180 to 250 degrees Celsius, creating conditions that can potentially alter or decompose sensitive flavouring compounds. 3-Acetyl pyridine demonstrates favorable thermal stability within this temperature range, maintaining its chemical structure and sensory properties through repeated heating cycles without generating undesirable decomposition products.
Regulatory Landscape and Compliance Requirements
The regulatory environment for 3-acetyl pyridine in vaping products continues to evolve as jurisdictions worldwide establish frameworks for e-liquid ingredient oversight. In the United States, manufacturers must comply with FDA premarket tobacco product application requirements that demand a comprehensive characterization of all ingredients, including 3-acetyl pyridine. This regulatory scrutiny requires detailed information about compound purity, specifications, and potential formation of harmful or potentially harmful constituents during use.
European Union regulations under the Tobacco Products Directive impose specific requirements for e-liquid ingredients, including notification obligations and purity standards for flavouring compounds. 3-Acetyl pyridine must meet established purity criteria and be sourced from suppliers capable of providing comprehensive documentation supporting regulatory compliance. The absence of 3-acetyl pyridine from prohibited substance lists in major markets provides regulatory clarity that facilitates product development and international distribution.
Ingredient disclosure requirements increasingly demand transparency regarding e-liquid composition, including minor flavouring components like 3-acetyl pyridine. Manufacturers must balance proprietary formulation protection with regulatory obligations for ingredient reporting, creating challenges for competitive differentiation while maintaining compliance. The establishment of industry standards for 3-acetylpyridine quality and testing methods supports consistent regulatory compliance across different manufacturers and markets.
3-Acetylpyridine Benefits
3-Acetyl pyridine represents a compelling case study in how specialized chemical compounds deliver multifaceted benefits across diverse industrial applications.
Performance Enhancement Benefits in End Products
The incorporation of 3-acetyl pyridine into flavour and fragrance formulations delivers exceptional sensory performance that significantly enhances consumer product appeal and market acceptance. Its remarkably low odor threshold enables formulators to achieve powerful sensory impacts with minimal usage levels, translating into cost-effective formulation strategies that maintain premium quality perceptions. This efficiency proves particularly valuable in applications where natural flavour recreation requires complex combinations of expensive ingredients, as 3-acetyl pyridine can replace multiple components while delivering superior authenticity and stability.
Manufacturing and Process Efficiency Advantages
The utilization of 3-acetyl pyridine in chemical synthesis offers significant process efficiency benefits that reduce manufacturing costs and improve operational performance. Its bifunctional nature enables convergent synthetic strategies where multiple transformations can be accomplished without intermediate isolation and purification steps.
3-Acetylpyridine Used in Flavour and Fragrance
Organoleptic Characteristics and Sensory Impact
The sensory profile of 3-acetyl pyridine encompasses multiple facets that contribute to its versatility in flavour creation. At threshold levels, the compound imparts subtle nutty and grain-like characteristics reminiscent of roasted cereals and toasted bread crust. As concentrations increase within the acceptable range, additional notes of popcorn, roasted corn, and subtle tobacco-like nuances become apparent, creating opportunities for building complex flavour architectures.
Temperature significantly influences the sensory expression of 3-acetyl pyridine, with heated applications releasing more pronounced roasted and nutty characteristics while cold applications may emphasize the compound’s slightly metallic undertones. This temperature dependency requires formulators to optimize concentrations based on intended consumption temperature, particularly critical in applications such as instant beverages, where the same formulation must perform across a range of preparation methods and serving temperatures.
Applications in Flavour Creation
The application of 3-acetyl pyridine in coffee and cocoa flavour systems represents perhaps its most significant commercial utilization, where it serves as an indispensable component for recreating the complex profile of roasted products. In coffee applications, the compound contributes to the characteristic notes that differentiate medium and dark roasts, providing the nutty, slightly caramelized aspects that consumers associate with quality coffee. Typical incorporation levels range from 0.5 to 5 parts per million in instant coffee formulations, where 3-acetyl pyridine works synergistically with other Maillard reaction products, including pyrazines, thiazoles, and furans, to create authentic roasted profiles that survive processing and storage.
Tobacco flavour formulations rely heavily on 3-acetyl pyridine to replicate the naturally occurring pyridine alkaloids found in cured tobacco leaves. The compound provides essential character notes that distinguish different tobacco types, from the sweet, nutty aspects of Virginia tobacco to the more robust, earthy characteristics of Burley varieties. Modern heat-not-burn tobacco products and electronic cigarette formulations particularly benefit from precisely controlled additions of 3-acetyl pyridine, where it helps bridge the sensory gap between traditional combusted tobacco and alternative nicotine delivery systems.
Formulation Strategies and Technical Considerations
The successful incorporation of 3-acetyl pyridine into commercial flavour formulations requires careful attention to solubility, stability, and compatibility factors that influence final product performance. The compound demonstrates excellent solubility in ethanol, propylene glycol, and other common flavour solvents, facilitating its incorporation into both oil-soluble and water-soluble flavour systems. However, formulators must account for potential volatility losses during processing, particularly in applications involving high-temperature treatment or spray-drying operations where significant portions of the compound may be lost if not properly encapsulated or protected.
A Flavouring Composition for Enhancing Nutty Aroma for Cigarettes
Include the following ingredients (Total 28.95g, unit: g):
2,3,5-trimethylpyrazine, 3; 2-ethyl-3,5-dimethylpyrazine, 2; 2-acetylfuran, 7; 2-acetylpyridine, 5; 2-acetylpyrrole, 2.5; 2-ethyl-3-methylpyrazine, 1.5; 2,3,5,6-tetramethylpyrazine, 1; 5-methyl-6,7-dihydro-5H-cyclopentylpyrazine, 1; 2-acetylpyrazine, 1; 2,6-dimethylpyrazine, 0.5; 2,3-dimethylpyrazine, 0.6; 2-ethyl-5-methylpyrazine, 0.8; 2,3-diethylpyrazine, 0.4; 3-acetylpyridine, 0.7; 2-methylpyrazine, 0.1; 4-Methylthiazole, 0.2; 2,5-dimethylpyrazine, 0.05; 2-ethylpyrazine, 0.3; 3-ethylpyridine, 0.25; 2,3-diethyl-5-methylpyrazine, 0.5; benzaldehyde, 0.24-methyl-5-vinylthiazole, 0.3; 2-methyl furoate, 0.05.
In conclusion, the comprehensive benefits of 3-acetyl pyridine across multiple dimensions demonstrate why this compound maintains its position as an essential ingredient and intermediate in diverse industries. As a bulk 3-acetylpyridine manufacturer and supplier in China, we sell different grades of 3-acetylpyridine at wholesale prices to large manufacturers and small customers in e-liquid, food, pharmaceutical, flavour, and fragrance industries.