This section provides an overview of 2-methylbutyric acid, covering its manufacturing processes and regulatory status, applications in food, flavour, fragrance, pharmaceutical, and specialty chemical industries. Also, please check out the introduction to 2-methylbutyric acid manufacturers, supply chain issues, 2-methylbutyric acid suppliers, and 2-methylbutyric acid prices. Sinofi can help you buy 2-methylbutyric acid at bulk wholesale prices based on FEMA 2695 and CAS 116-53-0.
Table of Contents
What is 2-Methylbutyric Acid?
2-Methylbutyric acid, also known as 2-methylbutanoic acid, is a short-chain branched carboxylic acid that occupies a significant position in the toolkit of flavour formulation engineers. It serves as both a building block for esters and a direct contributor to a wide range of flavour profiles, particularly those associated with ripe fruits, dairy, and fermented products. Its commercial relevance stems from its unique organoleptic signature and its versatility across sweet and savoury applications. 2-Methylbutyric acid contains a chiral centre at the alpha carbon, giving rise to two enantiomers: (S)-(+)-2-methylbutyric acid and (R)-(–)-2-methylbutyric acid. The (S)-isomer is the form predominantly produced biologically in fruits such as apples, pears, and strawberries, and it carries a sweeter, fruitier impression. The (R)-isomer and the racemate tend to exhibit a cheesier, sweatier character. For formulators working on high-end natural fruit reconstructions, the choice between racemic and enantiopure material can have a meaningful impact on the authenticity of the final profile. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), 2-methylbutyric acid is approved to be used in the flavour and fragrance industries.
Regulatory Status and Safety Considerations
2-Methylbutyric acid has been evaluated by major regulatory bodies like JECFA, EU FFIPD, RIFM, ECHACHEM, NIST, IFRA, and WHO. It is recognised by FEMA under FEMA GRAS number 2695 and is listed by the Council of Europe and JECFA as a permitted flavouring substance. It also carries an EU FL number (08.043) within the Implementing Regulation (EU) No 872/2012. As with all short-chain volatile acids, it should be handled with appropriate care due to its pungent vapour and skin and eye irritation potential, and standard laboratory protective equipment is recommended during weighing and compounding. Within finished products, usage levels are typically in the low parts-per-million range, well within the safety margins established by regulatory authorities.
Sensory Profile
From a sensory standpoint, 2-methylbutyric acid is a remarkably powerful ingredient. Its odour detection threshold in water is reported in the low parts-per-billion range, which means that even minute additions can shift a flavour profile noticeably. At very low concentrations, it lends ripeness, complexity, and a natural fermented depth. At higher concentrations, the cheesy, rancid, and perspiration-like qualities dominate, which is why precise dosing is essential. Equally important is its role as a starting material for esters such as ethyl 2-methylbutyrate, methyl 2-methylbutyrate, and propyl 2-methylbutyrate, which are themselves cornerstone aroma chemicals in formulations for apple, strawberry, and tropical fruit. These esters typically offer cleaner, fruitier, and more diffusive top notes than the parent acid, and their ability to work seamlessly between the acid and its esters gives the formulator considerable flexibility.
Natural Occurrence
2-Methylbutyric acid occurs naturally in a wide variety of foods, including apples, strawberries, raspberries, pineapples, and aged cheeses. It is generated during fruit ripening and the fermentation of dairy products through the microbial breakdown of branched-chain amino acids, particularly isoleucine.
CAS No.: 116-53-0
According to the American Chemical Society, the CAS number of 2-methylbutyric acid is 116-53-0.
CAS Name: 2-Methylbutanoic acid
Molecular Formula: C5H10O2
Molecular Mass: 102.13
Appearance: Colorless to pale yellow, clear liquid.
JECFA Number: 255
Food Chemicals Codex Listed: No
Boiling Point: 176.00 to 177.00 °C. @ 760.00 mm Hg
Solubility: Soluble in ethanol, 1 ml in 1 ml 95% alcohol.
Other Names:
♦ Butanoic acid, 2-methyl-
♦ Butyric acid, 2-methyl-
♦ Butyric acid, α-methyl-
♦ 2-Methylbutanoic acid
♦ Active valeric acid
♦ Ethylmethylacetic acid
♦ 2-Methylbutyric acid
♦α-Methylbutyric acid
♦ Methylethylacetic acid
♦α-Methyl-n-butyric acid
♦ 2-Methyl-n-butyric acid
♦ 2-Ethylpropanoic acid
2-Methylbutyric Acid Odor
Odor Strength: Medium, recommend smelling in a 10.00 % solution or less.
Substantivity:244 hour(s) at 100.00 %
Odor Description: At 10.00 % in propylene glycol. pungent acid roquefort cheese.
FEMA Number 2695
According to the Flavour and Extract Manufacturers Association (FEMA), the FEMA number of 2-methylbutyric acid is 2695.
Bulk 2-Methylbutyric Acid Manufacturers
The production of 2-methylbutyric acid is concentrated in a relatively small number of regions, with China, Western Europe, the United States, and Japan representing the principal centers. Top 2-methylbutyric acid manufacturers like Mane, Ventos Vos, Givaudan, and Takasago focus on higher-purity grades, enantiomerically enriched material, and product specifications tailored to the requirements of multinational flavour houses and pharmaceutical clients. China has emerged in recent years as the dominant supplier of bulk volumes, leveraging integrated production of upstream intermediates, competitive labour and energy costs, and a mature flavour and fragrance chemical industry. Chinese manufacturers of 2-methylbutyric acid typically serve both domestic flavour houses and a substantial export market, offering racemic material at competitive prices.
Sinofi is a bulk 2-methylbutyric acid manufacturer in China, and we have a manufacturing facility with 2,500 square meters for the production of 2-methylbutanoic acid. We supply high-quality 2-methylbutyric acid at bulk prices and serve food, flavour, fragrance, pharmaceutical, and specialty chemical industries worldwide.
Manufacturing Process of 2-Methylbutyric Acid
The industrial manufacture of 2-methylbutyric acid encompasses a diverse set of chemical approaches, ranging from straightforward oxidation of aldehyde feedstocks to sophisticated biocatalytic and fermentation routes targeting enantiomerically pure material.
Raw Materials and Feedstock Considerations
The commercial synthesis of 2-methylbutyric acid typically begins with readily available C4 and C5 feedstocks derived from petrochemical streams or, increasingly, from renewable sources. The most common starting materials include 2-methylbutanal, 2-methyl-1-butanol, butan-2-one, propanal, and diethyl malonate, depending on the chosen synthetic route.
Principal Synthetic Routes
The most widely practized industrial route to 2-methylbutyric acid is the oxidation of 2-methylbutanal, a process valued for its directness and high atom economy. The aldehyde is oxidized under controlled conditions using molecular oxygen or air, often in the presence of a transition-metal catalyst such as a cobalt or manganese salt, or with stoichiometric oxidants such as potassium permanganate, hydrogen peroxide, or nitric acid in smaller-scale operations. The reaction proceeds through a peracid intermediate and yields the carboxylic acid with high selectivity when reaction parameters such as temperature, oxygen partial pressure, and catalyst loading are properly optimized. Industrial implementations typically operate in the range of 40 to 80 °C with careful management of exothermicity, and conversion rates can exceed 90 percent with appropriate process control.
An alternative and historically important route involves the oxidation of 2-methyl-1-butanol, which can be carried out using similar oxidative chemistry. The alcohol is first converted to the corresponding aldehyde and subsequently to the carboxylic acid, either in a single-pot sequence or in two discrete steps. Although this approach introduces an additional oxidation stage, it can be attractive when 2-methyl-1-butanol is available at a favourable cost, particularly from fusel oil streams generated as a byproduct of ethanol fermentation. The use of fusel oil as a feedstock also opens a pathway to bio-based production, which is gaining traction in response to demand for natural and sustainable ingredients.
A third established route is the malonic ester synthesis, in which diethyl malonate is alkylated with an appropriate alkyl halide such as 2-bromobutane or sec-butyl chloride in the presence of a strong base. The resulting substituted malonate is then hydrolyzed and decarboxylated to yield 2-methylbutyric acid. While this route involves multiple steps and generates stoichiometric quantities of inorganic salts as byproducts, it offers reliable selectivity and is sometimes selected for smaller-volume or specialty applications where flexibility in feedstock choice is valued.
Bulk 2-Methylbutyric Acid Suppliers
The bulk supply of 2-methylbutyric acid is sustained by a layered network in which each tier plays a distinct role. Top 2-methylbutyric acid suppliers like Mane, Ventos Vos, Givaudan, and Takasago synthesize the compound from upstream feedstocks and serve both direct end users and the wider distribution chain. Beneath them, a sizeable population of regional distributors, trading houses, and specialty chemical resellers extends the reach of the material into markets that would not otherwise be served efficiently by direct manufacturer sales. Chinese 2-methylbutyric acid suppliers hold the largest share of global bulk volume.
Sinofi is a bulk 2-methylbutyric acid supplier in China, and we have a warehouse with 1,200 square meters for high-quality 2-methylbutanoic acid. We sell different grades of 2-methylbutyric acid at wholesale prices, serving end-users in food, flavour, fragrance, pharmaceutical, and specialty chemical industries.
Supply Chain of 2-Methylbutyric Acid
The supply chain for 2-methylbutyric acid is a sophisticated, multi-tiered system that connects upstream feedstock producers, primary manufacturers, distributors, and a diverse array of industrial end users across a geographically dispersed global marketplace.
Supply Chain Structure
At the most upstream end of the chain lie the raw material producers, who supply the petrochemical feedstocks and, increasingly, the renewable substrates from which 2-methylbutyric acid is ultimately derived. These include suppliers of C4 and C5 hydrocarbon streams such as butenes and pentenes, producers of intermediates such as 2-methylbutanal, 2-methyl-1-butanol, and diethyl malonate, and producers of fermentation-grade sugars and bio-based alcohols. The economics of this stage are shaped by global petrochemical markets, regional energy prices, and, for bio-based feedstocks, agricultural commodity dynamics.
The next stage in the chain is occupied by the primary manufacturers of 2-methylbutyric acid. These producers convert upstream feedstocks into the finished acid via a range of synthetic routes, including catalytic oxidation of 2-methylbutanal, oxidation of 2-methyl-1-butanol, malonic ester synthesis, carbonylation, and biocatalytic or fermentation-based methods.
Downstream of the primary manufacturers sits a substantial tier of distributors, traders, and resellers, who play a critical role in connecting producers to the full diversity of end users. This tier provides services that primary manufacturers are typically unwilling or unable to offer at scale, including the breaking of bulk into smaller pack sizes, local warehousing, regulatory documentation support, technical advisory services, and just-in-time delivery to formulators that operate with minimal inventory.
The end-user stage of the chain encompasses a wide range of industrial sectors. Flavour and fragrance houses represent the largest single category of demand, using 2-methylbutyric acid both as a direct flavour ingredient and as a precursor for esters such as ethyl, methyl, and propyl 2-methylbutyrate that are central to fruit, dairy, and confectionery profiles. Food and beverage manufacturers source the compound either directly or through their flavour suppliers for incorporation into finished products. Pharmaceutical and fine chemical manufacturers consume the material as an intermediate in the synthesis of active ingredients and specialty molecules. Personal care, cosmetics, and household product manufacturers also draw on the compound for fragrance and functional applications.
Wholesale and Buy 2-Methylbutyric Acid in Bulk
Wholesale and bulk purchasing of 2-methylbutyric acid is a multidimensional activity that rewards a structured and informed approach. The purchasing manager who invests in clearly defining requirements, understanding the market, qualifying suppliers rigorously, negotiating balanced commercial terms, managing logistics and documentation diligently, and treating risk management and supplier relationships as ongoing priorities will deliver materially better outcomes than one who treats each purchase as an isolated transaction.
Defining the Procurement Requirement
The starting point for any bulk purchase of 2-methylbutyric acid is an unambiguous definition of the procurement requirement. This definition should specify the technical grade and purity level required, whether racemic material is acceptable or whether an enantiomerically enriched product is necessary, and which regulatory and certification statuses must accompany the material. For flavour and food applications, this typically includes alignment with FEMA and JECFA listings, EU flavouring regulations, and natural certifications. Pharmaceutical applications introduce additional documentation requirements tied to pharmacopoeial standards and good manufacturing practice.
Understanding the Wholesale Market
A sound purchasing strategy rests on an informed view of the wholesale market for 2-methylbutyric acid. The compound is produced primarily in China, Western Europe, North America, and Japan, with Chinese suppliers accounting for the largest share of global bulk volume. Buyers of 2-methylbutyric acid should invest time in understanding current price benchmarks, recent trends in feedstock and freight costs, and any anticipated developments that might affect supply or demand over the contract horizon.
Supplier Identification and Qualification
The wholesale supplier base for 2-methylbutyric acid encompasses integrated specialty chemical producers, regional specialty manufacturers, and a substantial network of distributors and trading houses. Each segment offers a different balance of price, quality, service, and risk, and the appropriate choice depends on the buyer’s specific requirements. Larger flavour houses and pharmaceutical buyers typically favour direct relationships with integrated producers offering robust documentation and reliable supply continuity. Smaller and mid-sized buyers often work through distributors that offer flexible pack sizes, local warehousing, and shorter lead times, at the cost of a modestly higher unit price. Supplier qualification is a critical step that should precede any significant commercial commitment.
As a bulk 2-methylbutyric acid manufacturer and supplier in China, we wholesale this ingredient to end users in food, flavour, fragrance, pharmaceutical, and specialty chemical industries. We also supply 2-methylbutanoic acid to small customers. Normally, they want to buy 2-methylbutanoic acid in small quantities. To serve them, we can sell 2-methylbutyric acid at bulk prices and provide a one-stop purchasing service.
2-Methylbutyric Acid Prices (USD/Kg)
Flavour Grade 2-Methylbutyric Acid Prices (GC Content >=99.0%)
| Volume | Unit Price | Shipment |
| 50g | 8 USD | Express |
| 500g | 35 USD | Express |
| 1Kg | 52 USD/Kg | Express |
| 25Kg | >=25% cheaper | Express |
| 100Kg-Above | negotiable | Express / Sea |
Indicative kilogram-scale, flavour grade 2-methylbutyric acid trades at approximately USD 35–70/kg in North America and EUR 30–60/kg in Western Europe market. The prices of bulk orders (>=10 metric tons) will be much lower than the above prices. Natural grade 2-methylbutyric acid trades at EUR 150-350/kg. Demand is concentrated in fine-fragrance houses and dairy-flavour blenders in France, Switzerland, Germany, and the UK.
Furthermore, the above price quotations of 2-methylbutyric acid do not include the express shipping fee. The reason is that the shipment cost may exceed the sample value of 2-methylbutanoic acid. However, the bulk wholesale prices of 2-methylbutyric acid will be much lower than those of small orders. Please contact us for more details.
2-Methylbutyric Acid Specification
| Appearance | Colorless to pale yellow, clear liquid. |
| Odor: | Pungent acid roquefort cheese. |
| Purity (GC) | >=99% |
| Water | <=0.2% |
| Refractive Index (20°C) | 1.4040 – 1.4080 |
| Specific Gravity (at 25℃/25℃) | 0.924 – 0.938 |
2-Methylbutyric Acid Uses
2-Methylbutyric acid occupies a valuable niche at the intersection of natural product chemistry and industrial application. Its sensory contributions to food and fragrance products, its synthetic utility in pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals, and its analytical importance in biochemical research all reinforce its commercial significance.
Applications in the Flavor and Fragrance Industry
The flavour and fragrance sector represents the largest commercial outlet for 2-methylbutanoic acid. At trace concentrations, the acid imparts the ripe, fruity notes characteristic of red apples, tropical fruits, and aged cheeses, making it valuable for formulators seeking to reproduce natural taste experiences in processed products. Manufacturers incorporate it into apple, strawberry, pineapple, and berry flavour systems for beverages, confectionery, baked goods, and dairy products.
Role in Pharmaceutical and Fine Chemical Synthesis
In pharmaceutical manufacturing, 2-methylbutanoic acid functions as a building block for active pharmaceutical ingredients and intermediates. Its chiral center at the second carbon makes it especially useful in stereoselective synthesis, where the (S)-enantiomer in particular is incorporated into bioactive molecules. Researchers and process chemists use it in the production of certain statins, antiviral agents, and other therapeutics that require branched aliphatic side chains for proper pharmacological activity. The compound also appears in the synthesis of cosmetic actives and specialty intermediates, where its branched structure imparts desirable physical properties, including improved solubility, controlled volatility, and oxidation resistance in the final products.
Use in Agrochemicals and Specialty Materials
The agricultural chemical industry employs derivatives of 2-methylbutanoic acid in the formulation of certain pesticides, plant growth regulators, and pheromone-based pest control products. Several insect pheromones contain 2-methylbutanoate ester structures, allowing manufacturers to produce environmentally targeted monitoring traps and mating disruption systems for orchards and field crops.
2-Methylbutyric Acid Benefits
The commercial value of 2-methylbutanoic acid derives from a combination of distinctive sensory properties, synthetic versatility, and natural prevalence in foods that humans have consumed for millennia. The compound itself is also incorporated directly into savory and dairy flavour systems, where it lends realism to cheese, butter, and aged-meat formulations.
2-Methylbutyric Acid in E-Liquid and Vaping Products
2-Methylbutyric acid occupies a small but disproportionately influential position in the formulation of vaping products. Its ability to deliver authentic ripe-fruit and fermented nuances at trace concentrations makes it indispensable to flavour developers seeking realism and depth in their compositions.
Role in E-Liquid Formulation
Within the vaping industry, 2-methylbutyric acid is used primarily as a building block in flavour concentrates rather than as a standalone ingredient. Master flavourists incorporate it into compositions that emulate apple, strawberry, tropical fruit, berry, custard, and even certain tobacco profiles. Its contribution is most apparent in flavours that aim to recreate the impression of fully ripened or slightly overripe fruit, where simpler ester-based compositions tend to taste flat or candy-like. A small addition of 2-methylbutanoic acid can transform an otherwise one-dimensional strawberry note into a profile that suggests sun-warmed, vine-ripened fruit. In addition, the acid functions as a precursor when combined with alcohols, where, given sufficient time or heat, esterification reactions can yield secondary flavour compounds such as ethyl 2-methylbutyrate, contributing additional fruity layers as a formulation ages.
Typical Usage Levels
The use of 2-methylbutyric acid in e-liquid is governed by both sensory thresholds and safety guidance issued for flavour materials. Concentrations in finished e-liquid products generally fall in the very low parts-per-million range, often well below 50 ppm and frequently below 10 ppm in the final blend. At these levels, the compound contributes its characteristic ripe-fruit nuance without imparting the pungent, sour-sweat character that becomes apparent at higher dosages. Overuse is a common formulation pitfall, as the threshold between an appealing fruity impression and an unpleasant fermented or cheesy off-note is relatively narrow.
Regulatory Status
2-Methylbutyric acid carries a long history of regulatory acceptance for use as a flavouring ingredient in foods. The vaping industry operates under separate regulatory frameworks, including the United States Food and Drug Administration’s Premarket Tobacco Product Application (PMTA) process and the European Union’s Tobacco Products Directive (TPD). Manufacturers wishing to use 2-methylbutanoic acid in vapor products must address each ingredient as part of their broader product submissions, including toxicological assessment, emissions testing, and ingredient disclosure obligations specific to their target markets.
A Tobacco Flavour Using 2-Methylbutyric Acid
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, 2-methylbutyric acid has secured an established position across the food, flavour, fragrance, pharmaceutical, and specialty chemical industries. As a bulk 2-methylbutyric acid manufacturer and supplier in China, we sell different grades of 2-methylbutyric acid at wholesale prices to clients around the world.