Ethyl pentanoate, also commonly known as ethyl valerate, is an organic compound used in flavors. It is an ester with the molecular formula C7H14O2. It occurs naturally in fruits including apples, bananas, and strawberries as well as in fermented products such as cheese, whiskey, and cider.
Properties As is the case with most volatile esters, it has a pleasant aroma and taste. It is used as a food additive to impart a fruity flavour, particularly of apple (sweet, fruity, apple, pineapple, green, tropical). Its aroma is detectable at 1.5 to 6 ppb and taste at 30 ppm.
This colorless liquid is poorly soluble in water but miscible with organic solvents.
Synthesis Ethyl valerate is prepared by refluxing valeric acid and ethyl alcohol in the presence of concentrated sulfuric acid.
Enzymatic methods including microwave- and ultrasound-assisted syntheses have been investigated as alternatives.
References