What is 5-isopropyl-2,6-diethyl-2-methyltetrahydro-2h-pyran?
5-isopropyl-2,6-diethyl-2-methyltetrahydro-2h-pyran (CAS Number: 1120363-98-5) is a synthetic organic compound belonging to the pyran chemical class. It is a colorless to pale yellow liquid designed specifically for use as a flavoring agent in food manufacturing. The compound's chemical structure—featuring an isopropyl group, two ethyl substituents, and a methyl group attached to a tetrahydropyran ring—creates a unique sensory profile valued by food technologists.
Common Uses
This flavoring compound is utilized in the food industry to enhance or modify the taste and aroma of various processed food products. Like other synthetic flavoring agents, it would typically be used in small concentrations to achieve the desired organoleptic properties. Common applications for flavoring compounds in this chemical class include beverages, confectionery, dairy products, and savory food items. The specific aromatic characteristics of this compound make it suitable for creating complex flavor profiles that cannot be easily achieved through natural flavoring sources alone.
Safety Assessment
According to FDA records, there have been zero reported adverse events associated with 5-isopropyl-2,6-diethyl-2-methyltetrahydro-2h-pyran and zero product recalls. The absence of adverse event reports and recalls in the FDA database suggests no significant safety concerns have been documented during its use in food products.
However, it is important to note that this additive has not received FDA GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) status. The absence of GRAS designation does not necessarily indicate a safety concern; rather, it reflects that the compound has not undergone the formal GRAS notification process or has not been classified as GRAS through published scientific evidence recognized by the FDA. GRAS status requires either a long history of safe use before 1958 or approval through a formal petition process supported by substantial scientific evidence.
As a synthetic flavoring agent, this compound would be subject to FDA regulations governing food additives, including established limits on acceptable daily intake and use levels. Food manufacturers using this additive must comply with applicable regulations regarding maximum permitted concentrations in specific food categories.
Regulatory Status
5-isopropyl-2,6-diethyl-2-methyltetrahydro-2h-pyran is permitted for use as a flavoring agent in food products, though it does not hold GRAS status. Its regulatory approval appears to be based on its classification and use level authorization rather than a formal GRAS determination. The compound is subject to FDA oversight under food additive regulations (21 CFR Part 170-180), and any products containing this flavoring must comply with labeling requirements that identify it as an artificial or synthetic flavor component.
The regulatory framework for synthetic flavoring agents requires that manufacturers provide evidence of safe use at the levels proposed for food application. This compound's presence in the FDA's flavoring inventory indicates it has met baseline regulatory requirements for food additive use.
Key Studies
Limited published scientific literature appears to exist specifically on this particular compound, which is consistent with the profile of proprietary synthetic flavoring agents. Most safety assessments of such compounds are conducted through industry-sponsored toxicology studies submitted to regulatory authorities rather than published in academic journals. The absence of adverse event reports and recalls in the FDA database, combined with its continued use in food manufacturing, suggests that available safety data have been adequate to permit its continued authorization.