Alpha-branched alkenoic acids and the use of alpha-branched alkanoic and alkenoic acids as a fragrance

1. A fine perfumery comprising as odorant a compound of formula (I) or a mixture thereof,

wherein

X is selected from methyl and ethyl;

R is selected from C 4 -C 6 alkyl and C 4 -C 6 alkenyl,

and a fine perfumery consumer product base,

and wherein the fine perfumery comprises an olfactory acceptable amount up to 2 weight % of the odorant compound of formula (I) or a mixture thereof.

2. The fine perfumery according to claim 1 wherein the compound of formula (I) is selected from the group consisting of 2-methyl decanoic acid, 2-methyl undecanoic acid, 2-ethyl decanoic acid, 2-ethyl undecanoic acid, 2-methyl undec-9-enoic acid, 2-methyl undec-10-enoic acid, 2-methyl undec-8-enoic acid, 2-methyl undec-7-enoic acid and 2-methyl dodecanoic acid.

3. The fine perfumery according to claim 1 wherein the compound of formula (I) comprises 2-methyl undecanoic acid.

4. A method of improving, enhancing or modifying a consumer product base comprising adding to the consumer product base as odorant an olfactory acceptable amount of a compound of formula (I) or a mixture thereof

wherein

X is selected from methyl and ethyl;

R is selected from C 4 -C 6 alkyl and C 4 -C 6 alkenyl,

wherein the olfactory acceptable amount comprises up to 2 weight % of a compound of formula (I) or a mixture thereof, wherein the consumer product base is a fine perfumery.

5. The method according to claim 4 wherein the compound of formula (I) is selected from the group consisting of 2-methyl decanoic acid, 2-methyl undecanoic acid, 2-ethyl decanoic acid, 2-ethyl undecanoic acid, 2-methyl undec-9-enoic acid, 2-methyl undec-10-enoic acid, 2-methyl undec-8-enoic acid, 2-methyl undec-7-enoic acid and 2-methyl dodecanoic acid.