Methyl benzoate

Methyl benzoate is a common aromatic ester in floral essential oils. Available data indicate minimal risk.

Skin. A 4 percent test on volunteers caused no sensitization. The compound is non-phototoxic.

Acute toxicity. Acute oral LD50 is 1.35 to 3.5 g/kg in rats, 3.0 to 3.33 g/kg in mice, 4.1 g/kg in guinea pigs, 2.17 g/kg in rabbits.

Mutagenicity. Non-mutagenic in the Ames test.

Methyl benzoate is one of the simplest aromatic esters in perfumery. It serves as an intermediate in the synthesis of many other fragrance compounds.