Ethyl maltol

Ethyl maltol
Names
Preferred IUPAC name
2-Ethyl-3-hydroxy-4H-pyran-4-one
Other names
  • 2-Ethyl-3-hydroxy-4-pyranone
  • 2-Ethyl pyromeconic acid
  • 2-Ethyl-3-hydroxy-4-pyrone
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
ChEBI
ChEMBL
ChemSpider
ECHA InfoCard 100.023.256
EC Number
  • 225-582-5
KEGG
RTECS number
  • UQ0840000
UNII
  • InChI=1S/C7H8O3/c1-2-6-7(9)5(8)3-4-10-6/h3-4,9H,2H2,1H3 checkY
    Key: YIKYNHJUKRTCJL-UHFFFAOYSA-N checkY
  • InChI=1/C7H8O3/c1-2-6-7(9)5(8)3-4-10-6/h3-4,9H,2H2,1H3
    Key: YIKYNHJUKRTCJL-UHFFFAOYAY
  • CCC1=C(C(=O)C=CO1)O
Properties
C7H8O3
Molar mass 140.138 g·mol−1
Appearance White crystalline powder
Melting point 85 to 95 °C (185 to 203 °F; 358 to 368 K)[1]
Boiling point 161 °C (322 °F; 434 K)
Hazards
GHS labelling:
GHS07: Exclamation mark
Warning
H302
P264, P270, P301+P312, P330, P501
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
X markN verify (what is checkYX markN ?)
Infobox references

Ethyl maltol is an organic compound that is a common flavourant in some confectioneries. It is related to the more common flavorant maltol by replacement of the methyl group by an ethyl group.[2] It is a white solid with a sweet smell that can be described as caramelized sugar or as caramelized fruit. Ethyl maltol is often used in perfumery to create gourmand scents. Its aroma is described as "sweet, caramellic, jammy, strawberry, cotton candy, berry, sugar".[3] It has been evaluated by JECFA and EFSA.[4][5] It is widely used in foods, e-liquid, perfumes, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals.[6] Ethyl maltol was first used in Mugler's Angel perfume in 1992.[7]

The conjugate base derived from ethylmaltol, again like maltol, has a high affinity for iron, forming a red coordination complex. In such compounds, the heterocycle is a bidentate ligand.

Original patent:[8]

References

  1. ↑ Ethyl maltol at Sigma-Aldrich
  2. ↑ Erich Lück and Gert-Wolfhard von Rymon Lipinski "Foods, 3. Food Additives" in Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry, 2002, Wiley-VCH, Weinheim. doi:10.1002/14356007.a11_561
  3. ↑ "ethyl maltol". Scents and Flavors. Retrieved 1 April 2026.
  4. ↑ "Food safety and quality: details". www.fao.org. Retrieved 2026-08-25.
  5. ↑ EFSA Panel on Food Contact Materials, Enzymes, Flavourings and Processing Aids (CEF) (February 2010). "Scientific Opinion on Flavouring Group Evaluation 83, Revision 1 (FGE.83Rev1): Consideration of ethyl maltol and two 6-keto-1, 4-dioxane derivatives substances evaluated by JECFA (65th meeting)". EFSA Journal. 8 (2). doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2010.1409.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  6. ↑ "Buy Bulk - Ethyl Maltol | Manufacturer-Supplier". 2025-04-18. Retrieved 2026-08-25.
  7. ↑ "Сладкие ароматы в парфюмерии - Лучшие сладкие духи для мужчин и женщин с фото - Гурманские парфюмы". gourmandperfumes.ru. Retrieved 2025-04-02.
  8. ↑ Charles R Stephens Jr & Robert P Allingham, U.S. patent 3,446,629 (1969 to Pfizer Inc).