4-methyl morpholine

Full Material List

4-methylmorpholine

Identifiers

CAS (Single)	109-02-4
FEMA	N/A
EINECS	203-640-0
Synonyms	4- methyl-1-oxa-4-azacyclohexane 4- methylmorpholine N- methylmorpholine morpholine, 4-methyl-
JECFA Food Flavoring	N/A
JECFA Food Additive	N/A
DG SANTE Food Flavourings	N/A
DG SANTE Food Contact Materials	N/A
FDA UNII	11P91ANU5X
CoE Number	N/A
XlogP3-AA	-0.30 (est)
Molecular Weight	101.14887
Molecular Formula	C5 H11 N O

Properties

Food Chemicals Codex Listed	No
Appearance	colorless to pale yellow clear liquid (est)
Assay	98.00 to 100.00
Specific Gravity	0.91700 to 0.92200 @ 20.00 °C.
Lbs/Gal (est)	7.639 to 7.681
Refractive Index	1.43400 to 1.43700 @ 20.00 Â°C.
Melting Point	116.00 Â°C. @ 760.00 mm Hg
Boiling Point	116.00 to 118.00 Â°C. @ 760.00 mm Hg
Flash Point	75.00 Â°F. TCC ( 23.89 Â°C. )
Acid Value	N/A
Vapor Pressure	20.215000 mmHg @ 25.00 Â°C. (est)
Vapor Density	N/A
logP (o/w)	-0.33
Soluble In	water, 1.00E+06 mg/L @ 25 °C (exp)
Occurrence	not found in nature

Organoleptic

Organoleptic Notes	Odor and/or flavor descriptions from others (if found).
Odor	N/A
Flavor	N/A

AInsights BETA

FlavScents AInsights Entry for 4-Methyl Morpholine (CAS: 109-02-4)

1. Identity & Chemical Information

Common Name(s): 4-Methyl Morpholine
IUPAC Name: 4-Methylmorpholine
CAS Number: 109-02-4
FEMA Number: Data not found
Other Identifiers: FL number not clearly reported; CoE number not available; IFRA reference not applicable
Molecular Formula: C5H11NO
Molecular Weight: 101.15 g/mol

4-Methyl morpholine is a heterocyclic amine with a morpholine ring substituted by a methyl group at the 4-position. This structural modification influences its odor profile, contributing to its utility in various applications. The presence of the nitrogen atom in the morpholine ring is significant for its basicity and potential interactions in formulations.

Citation hooks: FlavScents; PubChem; FEMA

2. Sensory Profile

4-Methyl morpholine is characterized by a distinct amine-like odor, often described as fishy or ammoniacal. Its intensity is moderate, and it is typically not used for its sensory attributes in flavor or fragrance applications. The compound's odor threshold is not well-documented, but its sensory role is generally limited to technical functions rather than direct sensory contributions.

Citation hooks: FlavScents; peer-reviewed sensory literature

3. Natural Occurrence & Formation

4-Methyl morpholine is not commonly found in nature and is primarily synthesized for industrial use. It is typically produced through the reaction of morpholine with formaldehyde and hydrogen. Due to its synthetic origin, it does not qualify for "natural flavor" or "natural fragrance" designations under most regulatory frameworks.

Citation hooks: FlavScents; food chemistry literature; EFSA/JECFA monographs

4. Use in Flavors

4-Methyl morpholine is not typically used as a flavoring agent due to its strong amine odor. Its primary role in flavor systems is as a solvent or intermediate in the synthesis of other compounds. Use levels in finished food or beverage products are not well-documented, reflecting its limited direct application in flavor formulations. Stability considerations include its susceptibility to oxidation and potential reactivity under acidic conditions.

Citation hooks: FlavScents; FEMA GRAS documentation; formulation literature

5. Use in Fragrances

In fragrance applications, 4-methyl morpholine is rarely used for its scent. Instead, it may serve as a solvent or a chemical intermediate in the synthesis of other fragrance compounds. Its volatility is moderate, and it does not contribute significantly to the top, middle, or base notes of a fragrance composition.

Citation hooks: FlavScents; IFRA; fragrance chemistry texts

6. Regulatory Status (Regional Overview)

United States: Not listed as FEMA GRAS; primarily regulated as a chemical intermediate.
European Union: Not specifically listed under Reg. (EC) No 1334/2008; use may be subject to general chemical safety regulations.
United Kingdom: Follows EU regulations post-Brexit with no significant divergence reported.
Asia: Limited specific data; generally regulated under chemical safety standards.
Latin America: Data not clearly reported; likely subject to general chemical regulations.

Explicit approvals for flavor or fragrance use are not well-documented, and its use is primarily industrial.

Citation hooks: FEMA; EFSA; national authority publications

7. Toxicology, Safety & Exposure Considerations

Oral Exposure: Not typically relevant due to its industrial use; no ADI or MSDI established.
Dermal Exposure: Potential for irritation; not commonly used in direct skin applications.
Inhalation Exposure: Volatile; occupational exposure limits may apply due to potential respiratory irritation.

The risk profile for 4-methyl morpholine differs significantly between food and fragrance applications, with more stringent controls in place for industrial use.

Citation hooks: EFSA; FEMA; PubChem; toxicology literature

8. Practical Insights for Formulators

4-Methyl morpholine is valued for its role as a solvent and chemical intermediate rather than for direct sensory contributions. Formulators should be aware of its potential reactivity and ensure compatibility with other formulation components. It is often under-utilized in direct sensory applications due to its strong odor profile.

Citation hooks: FlavScents; industry practice

9. Confidence & Data Quality Notes

Data on 4-methyl morpholine is well-established for its industrial applications, but there are significant gaps in sensory and regulatory data for flavor and fragrance use. Industry practices are largely undocumented, and regulatory ambiguities exist, particularly in non-industrial contexts.

Citation hooks: FlavScents

QA Check

All required sections 1-9 are present
"Citation hooks:" line is present under each section
Flavor section includes ppm ranges (not applicable due to limited use)
Toxicology section covers oral, dermal, inhalation
Regulatory section mentions US, EU, UK, Asia, Latin America
If complex natural material: includes section 5a (not applicable)

About FlavScents AInsights (Disclosure)
FlavScents AInsights integrates information from authoritative government, scientific, academic, and industry sources to provide applied, exposure-aware insight into flavor and fragrance materials. Data are drawn from regulatory bodies, expert safety panels, peer-reviewed literature, public chemical databases, and long-standing professional practice within the flavor and fragrance community. Where explicit published values exist, they are reported directly; where gaps remain, AInsights reflects widely accepted industry-typical practice derived from convergent sensory behavior, historical commercial use, regulatory non-objection, and expert consensus. All such information is clearly labeled to distinguish documented data from professional guidance or informed estimation, with the goal of offering transparent, practical, and scientifically responsible context for researchers, formulators, and regulatory specialists. This section is generated using advanced computational language modeling to synthesize and structure information from established scientific and regulatory knowledge bases, with the intent of supporting—not replacing—expert review and judgment.

Generated 2026-02-13 06:34:42 GMT (p2)

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