This section provides an overview of 5-methylfurfural, covering its manufacturing processes and regulatory status, applications in e-liquids, food, chemical synthesis, pharmaceutical, flavour, and fragrance industries. Also, please check out the introduction to 5-methylfurfural manufacturers, supply chain issues, 5-methylfurfural suppliers, and 5-methylfurfural prices. Sinofi can help you buy 5-methylfurfural at bulk wholesale prices based on FEMA 2702 and CAS 620-02-0.
Table of Contents
What is 5-Methylfurfural?
5-Methylfurfural represents an important aromatic compound in the food, flavour, and fragrance industries. This furan derivative, also known as 5-methyl-2-furaldehyde or sylvan, possesses distinctive organoleptic properties that make it particularly valuable for creating complex flavour profiles in food and beverage applications. 5-Methylfurfural consists of a furan ring with an aldehyde group at the 2-position and a methyl group at the 5-position. This molecular structure gives the compound its characteristic aromatic properties. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), 5-methylfurfural is approved to be used in the e-liquids, food, flavour, and fragrance industries.
Regulatory Status and Safety Considerations
5-Methylfurfural has been evaluated by relevant regulatory authorities like JECFA, EFSA, RIFM, ECHACHEM, NIST, and WHO. It has a generally recognized as safe (GRAS) status for use in food flavouring applications in many jurisdictions, though specific regulations vary by region. The compound appears on approved flavour ingredient lists maintained by organizations such as the Flavour and Extract Manufacturers Association (FEMA). As with all flavour ingredients, usage levels must remain within established guidelines and good manufacturing practices. Flavour engineers should consult current regulatory databases for their specific markets to ensure compliance with local requirements.
Natural Occurrence and Formation
5-Methylfurfural occurs widely in thermally processed foods as a direct product of Maillard reactions and sugar caramelization processes. It forms when hexose sugars undergo thermal degradation through acid-catalyzed dehydration pathways, with the specific substitution pattern arising from the systematic removal of water molecules and cyclization reactions characteristic of furan formation from six-carbon sugars. This formation mechanism ensures presence in virtually any food system containing sugars exposed to heating, from baked goods and roasted coffee to caramelized sauces and maple syrup. The ubiquity of this formation pathway across diverse cooking and processing operations establishes consumer familiarity with the compound’s sensory characteristics through regular dietary exposure.
Foods naturally rich in 5-methylfurfural include roasted coffee beans, where concentrations can reach significant levels as coffee develops roast character. Baked bread crust contains the compound as part of the complex mixture responsible for the characteristic crust flavour. Caramel and toffee confections generate substantial quantities during sugar cooking operations. Maple syrup develops 5-methylfurfural during sap concentration and heating processes. These natural occurrences validate the compound’s use in flavour systems designed to replicate or enhance these food categories, providing both technical and regulatory justification for its inclusion.
Sensory Profile and Aroma Characteristics
From a sensory perspective, 5-methylfurfural delivers a complex aromatic profile that combines caramel-like sweetness with nutty, bready, and slightly spicy notes. The compound exhibits a warm, toasted character reminiscent of freshly baked bread crust or caramelized sugar. At appropriate concentrations, it contributes depth and richness to flavour systems without overwhelming other components. The aroma threshold is relatively low, meaning that even small quantities can produce noticeable sensory effects. This makes careful dosing essential during formulation work to achieve the desired flavour balance.
CAS No.: 620-02-0
According to the American Chemical Society, the CAS number of 5-methylfurfural is 620-02-0.
CAS Name: 5-Methylfurfural
Molecular Formula: C6H6O2
Molecular Mass: 110.11
Appearance: Light yellow to brown, clear liquid.
JECFA Number: 745
Boiling Point: 187.00 to 189.00 °C. @ 760.00 mm Hg
Solubility: Soluble in oils, most organic solvents, slightly soluble in water.
Other Names:
♦ 5-Methylfuran-2-carbaldehyde
♦ 5-Methyl-2-furaldehyde
♦ 5-Methyl-2-furfural
♦ 5-Methyl-2-furancarboxaldehyde
♦ 5-methyl-2-furancarbaldehyde
♦ Furfural, 5-methyl-
5-Methylfurfural Odor
Odor Strength: Medium
Recommend smelling in a 10.00 % solution or less
Substantivity: > 1 hour(s) at 100.00 %
Odor Description: At 10% in dipropylene glycol, caramel, spicy, nutty odour.
FEMA Number 2702
According to the Flavour and Extract Manufacturers Association (FEMA), the FEMA number of 5-methylfurfural is 2702. The fragrance standard of 5-methylfurfural has been set by organizations such as IFRA.
Bulk 5-Methylfurfural Manufacturers
The production of bulk 5-methylfurfural concentrates is primarily among chemical manufacturers specializing in furan derivatives and Maillard reaction products. Top 5-methylfurfural manufacturers like Bedoukian and Givaudan operate as part of integrated fine chemical operations that produce related compounds such as furfural, furfuryl alcohol, and other furan derivatives. Chinese 5-methylfurfural manufacturers dominate the global production capacity for 5-methylfurfural, accounting for the majority of the bulk commercial supply. The cost advantages from established infrastructure, raw material access, and manufacturing expertise have positioned Chinese producers as primary suppliers to global markets. European manufacturers maintain a smaller but significant presence in the market, particularly serving customers requiring stringent quality standards, detailed documentation, or specific regulatory certifications.
Sinofi is a bulk 5-methylfurfural manufacturer in China, and we have a manufacturing facility with 2,500 square meters for the production of 5-methyl furfural. We supply high-quality 5-methylfurfural at bulk prices and serve clients around the world.
Manufacturing Process of 5-Methylfurfural
The manufacturing process for 5-methylfurfural begins with careful selection of appropriate starting materials. The most common commercial approach utilizes carbohydrate feedstocks, specifically hexoses such as glucose, fructose, or sucrose, which contain the six-carbon framework necessary to generate the methylated furan structure.
Acid-Catalyzed Dehydration and Cyclization
The primary industrial route to 5-methylfurfural involves acid-catalyzed dehydration and cyclization of hexose sugars under carefully controlled thermal conditions. This process proceeds through a complex series of reactions initiated by protonation of the sugar molecule, followed by sequential dehydration steps that remove three water molecules while simultaneously forming the furan ring structure. The mechanism begins with acid-catalyzed isomerization of glucose to fructose, which adopts a more reactive open-chain form under acidic conditions. Protonation of hydroxyl groups facilitates their departure as water, creating reactive intermediates that undergo intramolecular cyclization.
Bulk 5-Methylfurfural Suppliers
The global supply network for bulk 5-methylfurfural encompasses a diverse range of participants, including direct manufacturers, specialized chemical distributors, trading companies, and broker networks. Top 5-methylfurfural suppliers like Bedoukian and Givaudan offer several advantages for buyers requiring substantial volumes or seeking to establish long-term supply relationships. Asian 5-methylfurfural suppliers, particularly those based in China, dominate the available supply capacity and represent the primary source for cost-competitive bulk material. European suppliers occupy a smaller but strategically important position, focusing on quality-assured 5-methyl furfural with comprehensive regulatory support and technical service capabilities.
Sinofi is a bulk 5-methylfurfural supplier in China, and we have a warehouse with 1,200 square meters for high-quality 5-methylfurfural. We sell different grades of 5-methylfurfural at wholesale prices, serving e-liquids, food, chemical synthesis, pharmaceutical, flavour, and fragrance industries.
Supply Chain of 5-Methylfurfural
The supply chain for 5-methylfurfural represents a complex multi-tier system extending from agricultural commodities through chemical manufacturing, distribution networks, and ultimately to end-use applications in flavour, fragrance, and specialty chemical markets.
Supply Chain Structure Overview
The 5-methylfurfural supply chain operates through distinct tiers that transform feedstocks into refined chemical products suitable for demanding applications. The structure begins with a carbohydrate source, proceeds through initial processing to produce refined sugars or intermediates, continues through chemical manufacturing where these materials undergo conversion to 5-methylfurfural, and culminates in distribution networks that deliver finished material to end users. Each tier adds value through transformation, refinement, or service provision while introducing specific dependencies, risks, and cost structures that collectively determine overall supply chain performance.
Wholesale and Buy 5-Methylfurfural in Bulk
Purchasing 5-methylfurfural in wholesale quantities requires a strategic approach that balances cost optimization with quality assurance, supply reliability, and regulatory compliance. 5-Methylfurfural buyers must balance competing objectives, including cost optimization, quality assurance, supply reliability, and risk mitigation. As a specialized flavour chemical with relatively concentrated manufacturing capacity and specific quality requirements, bulk procurement of this compound demands careful supplier evaluation, thorough contract negotiation, and robust quality management systems.
Supplier Identification
Effective bulk procurement begins with comprehensive supplier identification and market intelligence gathering. The 5-methylfurfural supply base divides between direct manufacturers offering the lowest unit costs for large volumes and distributors providing smaller quantities with enhanced service.
Quality Assurance and Supplier Qualification
Quality considerations represent critical procurement criteria that cannot be subordinated to price optimization without risking operational disruptions, product quality failures, or regulatory compliance issues. Establishing clear quality specifications before engaging suppliers ensures consistent evaluation criteria and prevents misunderstandings regarding acceptable material characteristics. Specifications should define minimum purity requirements typically ranging from ninety-five to ninety-nine percent, depending on application needs, maximum allowable levels for specific impurities that could affect performance or create safety concerns, physical property parameters including appearance and density, and analytical test methods for verification. The supplier qualification process validates that potential sources can consistently deliver material meeting established specifications. This process typically begins with sample procurement and independent testing to verify compliance with requirements. Initial samples should undergo comprehensive analytical characterization using gas chromatography, high-performance liquid chromatography, and spectroscopic methods appropriate for confirming identity, measuring purity, and identifying impurities.
As a bulk 5-methylfurfural manufacturer and supplier in China, we wholesale this aromatic ingredient to clients in e-liquids, food, chemical synthesis, pharmaceutical, flavour, and fragrance industries. We also supply it to small customers. Normally, they want to buy 5-methylfurfural in small quantities. To serve them, we can sell 5-methylfurfural at bulk prices and provide a one-stop purchasing service.
5-Methylfurfural Prices (USD/Kg)
Food Grade 5-Methylfurfural Prices (GC Content >=99.0%)
| Volume | Unit Price | Shipment |
| 50g | 17 USD | Express |
| 500g | 85 USD | Express |
| 1Kg | 128 USD/Kg | Express |
| 20Kg | >30% cheaper | Express |
| 100Kg-Above | negotiable | Express / Sea |
The 5-methylfurfural price exhibits substantial variation reflecting differences in quality specifications, purchase volumes, supplier types, and geographic factors. Manufacturing-grade material for industrial applications commands baseline pricing that reflects production costs and competitive dynamics in relatively price-sensitive segments. Food-grade 5-methylfurfural typically trades at premiums of ten to twenty percent above industrial grade. Pharmaceutical-grade material for drug synthesis applications occupies the premium tier with pricing that may reach thirty to fifty percent above baseline industrial material.
Furthermore, the above 5-methylfurfural price quotations do not include the express shipping fee. The reason is that the shipment cost may exceed the value of the 5-methylfurfural sample. However, the bulk wholesale prices of 5-methylfurfural will be much lower than those of small orders. Please contact us for more details.
5-Methylfurfural Specification
| Appearance: | Light yellow to brown, clear liquid. |
| Odor: | Caramel, spicy, nutty odour. |
| Purity (GC) | >=99% |
| Specific Gravity (25°C/25°C) | 1.099-1.107 |
| Refractive Index | 1.527-1.535 |
| Heavy Metal (as Pb, mg/Kg) | <=10 |
| As (mg/Kg) | <=3 |
5-Methylfurfural Uses
5-Methyl furfural serves diverse commercial and industrial applications spanning the flavour and fragrance industry, specialty chemical synthesis, pharmaceutical intermediate production, and emerging technological uses.
Flavour Industry Applications
The flavour industry represents the dominant application sector for 5-methyl furfural, accounting for the substantial majority of global consumption. Flavour houses and food ingredient manufacturers employ this compound as a key building block in creating complex flavour profiles that replicate the sensory characteristics of cooked, baked, and caramelized foods. The compound contributes essential notes that consumers associate with quality food preparation and processing, making it valuable across numerous flavour system categories.
Bakery flavours constitute a major application area where 5-methyl furfural provides critical contributions to authenticity and depth. The compound delivers toasted bread crust notes, supporting the perception of properly developed baked goods with characteristic browning and caramelization. Flavour systems designed to enhance or replace natural bakery flavours in applications ranging from baked goods to snack foods to beverages incorporate 5-methyl furfural alongside complementary ingredients, including pyrazines, furans, and other Maillard reaction products. The material helps create the sensory impression of fresh-baked products even in applications where actual baking processes play limited roles or where cost considerations necessitate flavour enhancement of less developed base products.
Caramel and toffee flavour systems rely heavily on 5-methyl furfural for delivering the characteristic burnt sugar notes that define these popular flavour profiles. The compound contributes complexity that distinguishes premium caramel flavours from simple sugar-forward profiles, adding depth and sophistication that enhances consumer appeal. Applications span confectionery products, desserts, ice cream, coffee beverages, and numerous other categories where caramel flavouring provides sweetness with character. The ability of 5-methylfurfural to function effectively at relatively low concentrations makes it economically attractive, while its stability in various food matrices ensures consistent flavour delivery throughout product shelf life.
Coffee flavours represent another significant application category where 5-methyl furfural contributes to roasted notes that enhance the perception of coffee character. The compound appears naturally in roasted coffee beans as a product of thermal processing, making its addition to coffee flavourings particularly appropriate for creating authentic profiles. Ready-to-drink coffee beverages, coffee-flavoured desserts, coffee extracts, and flavouring systems for baked goods all utilize 5-methyl furfural as part of complex formulations designed to capture the multifaceted sensory experience of quality coffee. The material works synergistically with other roasted notes, including pyrazines and other furan derivatives, to build complete coffee flavour impressions.
Maple and brown sugar flavour systems employ 5-methyl furfural to enhance the perception of natural sweeteners processed through heating or concentration. The compound contributes to the cooked sugar character that distinguishes maple syrup and brown sugar from simple sucrose sweetness, adding layers of complexity that consumers associate with premium natural sweeteners. Applications include breakfast syrups, confections, baked goods, and numerous products where maple or brown sugar flavouring provides desirable taste characteristics. The natural occurrence of 5-methyl furfural in authentic maple syrup supports its use in maple flavour formulations from both technical and regulatory perspectives.
Savory flavour applications utilize 5-methyl furfural in more supporting roles where its contribution to cooked and roasted notes enhances meat flavours, seasonings, soup bases, and other savory products. The compound helps build the perception of properly seared or roasted meat, contributing to the Maillard reaction character that consumers associate with skilled cooking. While present at lower concentrations than in sweet applications, the material plays important roles in creating authentic savory profiles that meet consumer expectations for properly prepared foods.
Fragrance Industry Applications
The fragrance industry employs 5-methylfurfural in creating warm, sweet, caramel-like notes within complex scent compositions. While representing a smaller market than flavour applications, fragrance uses demonstrate the compound’s versatility beyond food-related applications. Perfumers value the material for its ability to contribute sweetness and warmth without the heavy, cloying character that can result from some other sweet-smelling ingredients.
Fine fragrance compositions occasionally incorporate 5-methyl furfural in oriental, gourmand, or amber fragrance families, where warm, sweet, slightly spicy notes support the overall olfactory impression. The compound blends well with vanilla, tonka bean, coumarin, and other materials commonly used in creating warm, enveloping fragrances. Its relatively subtle character at appropriate concentrations allows it to support other fragrance ingredients without dominating compositions, making it useful for adding complexity and depth.
Functional fragrances for personal care products, household cleaning products, and air fresheners represent additional applications where 5-methyl furfural can contribute warm, pleasant notes. These applications typically employ the compound at lower concentrations than fine fragrances, using it to round out compositions and add subtle warmth. The compound’s reasonable cost compared to some natural fragrance materials makes it economically attractive for functional fragrance applications where ingredient costs significantly impact product economics.
Chemical Synthesis and Intermediate Applications
Beyond its direct use in flavours and fragrances, 5-methyl furfural serves as a chemical intermediate and building block for synthesizing more complex molecules. The reactive aldehyde functionality enables participation in numerous chemical transformations, including oxidation, reduction, condensation reactions, and cycloaddition chemistry. The furan ring structure provides additional reactivity and structural features valuable in constructing target molecules for various applications.
Pharmaceutical intermediate synthesis represents an important though specialized application where 5-methyl furfural serves as a starting material or intermediate in producing active pharmaceutical ingredients or drug candidates. The compound’s heterocyclic structure and functionalization pattern make it useful for constructing molecular architectures found in certain pharmaceutical compounds. Research and development activities in pharmaceutical companies occasionally identify synthetic routes to target molecules that incorporate 5-methyl furfural as a key intermediate, creating demand for pharmaceutical-grade material meeting the stringent quality and documentation requirements of drug manufacturing.
Food and Beverage Manufacturing
Direct addition of 5-methyl furfural to food and beverage products occurs in certain applications where flavour enhancement or standardization provides value. Process flavours incorporating 5-methyl furfural alongside other thermally generated flavour compounds find applications in savory foods, seasonings, and products where cooked flavour characteristics enhance appeal. The compound’s natural occurrence in numerous heated foods supports its acceptance as a flavouring agent appropriate for food use. Beverage applications include both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks where caramel, coffee, or other flavour notes enhanced by 5-methyl furfural contribute to product character. Coffee beverages, cola-type soft drinks, malt beverages, and specialty drinks all represent potential applications. The compound’s water solubility characteristics and stability in acidic beverage conditions enable its effective use across diverse beverage formulations.
Tobacco Industry Applications
The tobacco industry has historically utilized various furan derivatives, including 5-methyl furfural, as flavouring agents in tobacco products. The compound contributes to the overall sensory experience of tobacco use, adding sweet, caramel-like notes that some manufacturers incorporate into product formulations.
5-Methylfurfural in E-Liquid and Vaping Products
The use of flavouring compounds in electronic cigarette liquids and vaping products has emerged as a significant area of regulatory scrutiny and public health concern. 5-Methyl furfural, a compound with an established history in food flavouring applications, has been identified in certain e-liquid formulations where it contributes caramel, sweet, and toasted notes to flavoured vaping products.
Technical Considerations for E-Liquid Formulation
From a purely technical formulation perspective, 5-methyl furfural exhibits properties that enable its incorporation into e-liquid matrices, though the suitability of any flavouring compound for inhalation applications remains a distinct question from its technical compatibility. The compound demonstrates solubility in propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin, the primary base materials used in e-liquid formulations. This solubility enables the preparation of homogeneous solutions without separation or precipitation that would create inconsistent product performance or delivery characteristics.
The moderate volatility of 5-methyl furfural relative to e-liquid base components influences its behavior during vaporization. The compound’s boiling point falls within ranges that permit aerosolization alongside propylene glycol and glycerin when subjected to heating elements in vaping devices. This volatility matching proves necessary for delivering flavouring compounds effectively to users, as materials with substantially different volatility characteristics than base liquids may exhibit preferential evaporation or retention that creates inconsistent flavour delivery or concentration changes during product use.
The stability of 5-methyl furfural in e-liquid matrices during storage requires consideration, as degradation or transformation during shelf life would alter flavour profiles and potentially generate unwanted reaction products. The aldehyde functionality of the compound presents some reactivity potential, particularly in the presence of residual oxygen or reactive impurities that might accumulate during storage. Manufacturers formulating products containing aldehydes must consider antioxidant systems, oxygen barrier packaging, and storage condition recommendations that maintain product stability throughout the intended shelf life.
The thermal behavior during vaporization introduces critical considerations that extend beyond simple volatilization. Heating elements in vaping devices reach temperatures substantially exceeding normal food processing conditions, potentially causing thermal degradation or transformation of organic compounds, including flavouring substances. The sweeteners and cooling agents commonly used in e-liquid, such as neotame, Advantame, WS-23, and WS-3, exhibit good thermal stability at temperatures between 200 and 250 degrees Celsius.
Health and Safety Concerns
The primary concern regarding 5-methyl furfural and other flavouring compounds in vaping products centers on respiratory safety and the potential for adverse health effects from repeated inhalation exposure. While the compound demonstrates acceptable safety for oral consumption through food at typical dietary exposure levels, evidence regarding safety through direct and repeated pulmonary exposure remains limited. The respiratory epithelium exhibits different characteristics and vulnerabilities compared to gastrointestinal tissues, potentially showing different responses to chemical exposures.
Regulatory Landscape and Policy Considerations
The regulatory treatment of flavouring compounds in vaping products varies substantially across jurisdictions, reflecting different policy approaches to managing novel nicotine delivery products. Regulatory frameworks must address the tension between potential harm reduction benefits for adult smokers transitioning from combustible tobacco and concerns about youth initiation and population-level health impacts, potentially exacerbated by appealing flavours. These policy considerations directly affect the acceptability of using flavouring compounds, including 5-methylfurfural, in vaping products.
The United States Food and Drug Administration regulates e-cigarettes and vaping products under its tobacco product authority, requiring all tobacco and e-cigarette manufacturers to submit a list of ingredients in their tobacco products. This regulatory framework requires manufacturers to demonstrate that marketing of their products, including specific formulations and flavours, proves appropriate for the protection of public health. The evaluation considers product composition, including flavouring ingredients, though regulatory standards differ from food additive safety assessments. The FDA has expressed particular concern regarding flavoured tobacco products and their potential appeal to youth, leading to enforcement priorities focusing on certain flavour categories and product types.
European Union regulatory approaches through the Tobacco Products Directive establish requirements for e-liquid composition and labeling while permitting member states to implement additional restrictions. Various European countries have implemented or proposed restrictions on flavoured vaping products or specific flavouring ingredients based on public health considerations. The regulatory emphasis focuses on product safety, quality standards, and measures to prevent youth access and use.
5-Methylfurfural Benefits
5-Methyl furfural delivers substantial value across multiple dimensions, including technical performance, economic advantages, sensory contributions, and regulatory positioning that collectively establish its importance in flavour formulation, specialty chemical applications, and food ingredient systems.
Sensory and Organoleptic Benefits
The primary value proposition of 5-methyl furfural in flavour applications derives from its distinctive sensory characteristics that contribute essential qualities difficult to achieve through alternative means. The compound delivers authentic caramel and toasted notes that consumers instinctively associate with properly prepared foods, providing a sensory signature that signals quality and careful preparation. This authenticity advantage proves particularly valuable in applications where flavour systems must replicate complex sensory experiences created through thermal processing of carbohydrate-rich foods.
Technical and Functional Advantages
The chemical stability of 5-methyl furfural under typical food processing and storage conditions provides significant functional benefits that simplify formulation work and ensure consistent product performance throughout shelf life. The compound withstands pasteurization temperatures, moderate pH ranges, and normal storage conditions without significant degradation or transformation that would alter flavour profiles over time. This stability enables its use in applications requiring thermal processing during manufacturing while maintaining predictable sensory contributions from production through consumption.
Economic and Commercial Benefits
The cost-effectiveness of 5-methyl furfural relative to its sensory impact provides compelling economic advantages that strengthen product margins while delivering superior consumer experiences. The high potency enabling effective use at low concentrations means that even premium-grade material represents modest absolute costs on a per-unit finished product basis. This favorable economics allows brands to deliver sophisticated flavour profiles without proportionally increasing ingredient costs that would pressure retail pricing or reduce profitability. The commercial availability of 5-methylfurfural through multiple suppliers operating globally ensures reliable supply access and competitive pricing through market forces.
A Tobacco Flavour Using 5-Methylfurfural
Include the following ingredients (by weight):
tobacco extract, 1% benzyl alcohol, 1% n-hexanol, 1% furfuryl alcohol, 1% cis-3-hexenol, 1% linalool, 1% ethyl hexanoate, 1% ethyl isovalerate, 1% acetic acid, 1% isoamyl acetate, 1% hexadecanoic acid, 1% dihydroactinidiolide, 1% 5-methylfurfural, 1% 2-methylbutyric acid, 1% gamma-hexalactone, 1% methyl cyclopentenolone, 1% beta-damascone, 1% tetradecanoic acid, 1% phenylethyl phenylacetate, 1% beta-dihydrodamascone, and propylene glycol.
In conclusion, 5-methylfurfural represents an essential flavour ingredient for authentic toasted and sweet roasted character in caramel, bakery, coffee, maple, and numerous other flavour systems. As a bulk 5-methylfurfural manufacturer and supplier in China, we sell different grades of 5-methylfurfural at wholesale prices to clients around the world.