Database/Perfuming/Isoamyl Formate
Route-dependent · ISO 16128

Is Isoamyl Formate natural?

It depends. Formate portion is fixed petrochemical (no natural commercial source); the isoamyl alcohol portion's origin genuinely varies by route.

INCI nameIsoamyl Formate
CAS110-45-2
FormulaC6H12O2 · 116.16 Da
FunctionPerfuming
FeedstockFormic acid is produced industrially from methanol and…

Why the score varies

This ingredient is made commercially by more than one route, and ISO 16128 scores the feedstock actually used. Without a supplier certificate of origin the value cannot be claimed.

RouteFeedstockNOIShareNotes
fusel-oil isoamyl alcohol + synthetic formic acidisoamyl alcohol from fermentation byproduct; formic acid from methanol carbonylation0.75~35% (estimate)
petrochemical isoamyl alcohol + synthetic formic acidisoamyl alcohol from oxo-process; formic acid from methanol carbonylation0.00~65% (estimate)
Ask your supplier. A batch-specific certificate of origin or bio-based carbon test (ASTM D6866) settles which route applies.

How we scored it

Formic acid fragment (29.02 Da of 116.16 Da) is always petrochemical. Isoamyl alcohol fragment (87.14 Da) is fusel-oil (natural) or oxo-process (petrochemical): 87.14/116.16=0.75 or 0.0/116.16=0.0. Headline shows the best route (0.75), as for every route-dependent entry on the site.
What counts. ISO 16128-2 scores the atoms that remain in the final ingredient. Reagents, solvents, catalysts and protecting groups used during manufacture leave no mass behind and are not counted.

Where it comes from

Formic acid is produced industrially from methanol and CO (petrochemical), with no natural commercial source. Isoamyl alcohol route (fusel oil vs petrochemical oxo-synthesis) determines the overall value.

In plain English

A fruity fragrance ester. The acid half is always made from petrochemical feedstock, while the alcohol half may come from natural fermentation byproducts or from petrochemicals.

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Structure

2D structure of Isoamyl Formate

3-methylbutyl formate

PubChem CID 8052 ↗

References

  1. 1ISO 16128-1:2016 and ISO 16128-2:2017 — Guidelines on technical definitions and criteria for natural and organic cosmetic ingredients and products. ISO, Geneva.
  2. 2Isoamyl Formate. PubChem CID 8052. National Center for Biotechnology Information. pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ↗
  3. 3ISOAMYL FORMATE. CosIng — European Commission cosmetic ingredient database. ec.europa.eu/cosing ↗
  4. 4ISOAMYL FORMATE. CosIng u2014 European Commission database for information on cosmetic substances and ingredients. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/search?search=ISOAMYL%20FORMATE