Ethyl vanillin is the organic compound with the formula (C2H5O)(HO)C6H3CHO. This colourless solid consists of a benzene ring with hydroxyl, ethoxy, and formyl groups on the 4, 3, and 1 positions, respectively.
Ethyl vanillin is a synthetic molecule, not found in nature. It is prepared via several steps from catechol, beginning with ethylation to give "guethol". This ether condenses with glyoxylic acid to give the corresponding mandelic acid derivative , which via oxidation and decarboxylation gives ethyl vanillin.
As a flavorant, ethyl vanillin is about three times as potent as vanillin and is used in the production of chocolate.
