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

Is Isoamyl Isovalerate natural?

It depends. Isoamyl alcohol and isovaleric acid are both fusel-oil (fermentation byproduct) or both oxo-process (petrochemical) derived, so the routes fully diverge.

INCI nameIsoamyl Isovalerate
CAS659-70-1
FormulaC10H20O2 · 172.26 Da
FunctionPerfuming
FeedstockNatural route uses fusel oil (a fermentation/distillation byproduct)…

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 fermentationisoamyl alcohol and isovaleric acid from fusel oil (grain/molasses fermentation byproduct)1.00~35% (estimate)
petrochemical oxo-synthesisisoamyl alcohol from propylene oxo-process, oxidised to isovaleric acid0.00~65% (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

Both fragments derive from the same feedstock stream: fusel-oil route (isoamyl alcohol + isovaleric acid, both natural) = 1.0; oxo-synthesis petrochemical route = 0.0. Headline shows the best route (1.00), 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

Natural route uses fusel oil (a fermentation/distillation byproduct) isoamyl alcohol oxidised to isovaleric acid. Petrochemical route uses oxo-process isoamyl alcohol and synthetic isovaleric acid; believed to be more common in bulk fragrance supply, but the split is uncertain.

In plain English

A fruity, apple-like fragrance ester. It can be made from natural fermentation byproducts or from petrochemical building blocks, and which route dominates supply is genuinely unclear.

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Structure

2D structure of Isoamyl Isovalerate

3-methylbutyl 3-methylbutanoate

PubChem CID 12613 ↗

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 Isovalerate. PubChem CID 12613. National Center for Biotechnology Information. pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ↗
  3. 3ISOAMYL ISOVALERATE. CosIng — European Commission cosmetic ingredient database. ec.europa.eu/cosing ↗
  4. 4ISOAMYL ISOVALERATE. CosIng u2014 European Commission database for information on cosmetic substances and ingredients. https://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/search?search=ISOAMYL%20ISOVALERATE