MOLECULE

2-Methyl-1-butanal

2-Methylbutanal, also known as 2-methylbutyraldehyde, belongs to the class of organic compounds known as short-chain aldehydes. These are aldehydes with a chain length containing between 2 and 5 carbon atoms. 2-Methylbutanal is an extremely weak basic (essentially neutral) compound (based on its pKa). It exists as colorless or pale yellow liquid with a musty, chocolat, nutty or malty odor. It has a cocoa, coffee-like, nutty or rummy/carmel taste. It is used in a variety of perfuming and food flavoring agents. 2-Methylbutanal has been identified as one of the important flavor compounds in barley crystal malts, baked potatoes, and whole milk powder (WMP). 2-Methylbutanal has been detected, but not quantified in, several different foods, such as sugar apples, horned melons, hyacinth beans, persian limes, and root vegetables. 2-Methylbutanal has also been reported to be found in Cannabis sativa (PMID: 6991645, 26657499).