Citronellol 95

Synthetic Ingredient Overview

• 🔎 Chemical Name — 3,7-dimethyloct-6-en-1-ol

• 📂 CAS N° — 106-22-9

• ⚖️ Molecular Weight — 156.26 g/mol

• 📝 Odor Type — Floral (Rosy)

• 📈 Odor Strength — Medium

• 👃🏼 Odor Profile — Clean, rosy, floral, with leather-waxy undertones and citrus-green nuances; reminiscent of geranium and citronella

• ⚗️ Uses — Core material for rose and muguet accords, fresh floral perfumes, soaps, home care, low-cost compositions; flavor use in berry, citrus, and floral themes

• 🧴 Appearance — Clear, colorless to pale yellow liquid

What is Citronellol?

Citronellol is a monoterpenoid alcohol with chirality, present as (+)- and (−)-enantiomers in nature. The (+)-isomer is dominant in citronella oil, while the (−)-isomer is found in rose and geranium oils. Commercial Citronellol (95% purity or higher) often contains trace amounts of geraniol and other terpenoids.

In perfumery, Citronellol is essential for rosy and fresh-floral creations, acting as a backbone in compositions ranging from fine fragrances to functional products. It blends seamlessly with phenylethyl alcohol, geraniol, linalool, and aldehydes, offering a bright, dewy floral character.

Olfactory Profile and Applications in Perfumery

Citronellol is prized for its:

• Rich rosy character, forming the base of most rose accords

• Sweet-floral and citrus top facets, adding lift and diffusion

• Leather-waxy and green terpene undertones, contributing complexity

• Versatility across price ranges, from premium scents to mass-market soaps

Used in:

• Rose, muguet, lily-of-the-valley, and peony bouquets

• Citrus-floral and fruity-floral combinations

• Home care and laundry fragrances

• Traditional and modern perfumery bases

Usage concentrations vary:

• Fine fragrance: 0.05% – 3%

• Soap and detergent: 0.1% – 1.5%

• Flavor: typically <10 ppm (e.g. raspberry, citrus, cherry, peach)

Industrial, Flavor, and Insecticidal Applications

• Flavor Use — Citronellol is FEMA GRAS (#2309); used in berry, rose, raspberry, and citrus flavorings

• Insect Repellency — Known for repelling mosquitoes; often complexed with β-cyclodextrin for formulation stability

• Functional Products — Soaps, detergents, shampoos, and room sprays benefit from its rosy-clean note

Chemistry and Production

Synthesis pathways include:

• Hydrogenation of geraniol or nerol

• Reduction of citronellal (yielding high-purity citronellol)

• From pinene, as part of synthetic routes to hydroxycitronellal

Structurally:

• Acyclic monoterpenoid alcohol

• Chirality affects odor character; industrial product is often racemic

Solubility:

• Miscible with alcohol, propylene glycol, and oils

• Very slightly soluble in water

• Not soluble in glycerin

Safety and Regulatory Overview

• IFRA Restrictions — Subject to concentration limits due to sensitization potential

• EU Allergen Listing — Declaration required in cosmetics >0.001% (rinse-off) or >0.01% (leave-on)

• FEMA GRAS — 2309

• GHS Classification:

  • H315 – Causes skin irritation

  • H317 – May cause allergic skin reaction

  • H319 – Causes serious eye irritation

  • H401 – Toxic to aquatic life

• Handling Precautions (P-statements):
  P261, P264, P272, P273, P280, P302+P352, P305+P351+P338, P333+P313, P337+P313, P362, P501

✅ Controlled and informed use in fragrance compositions is recommended.

Sources

• S. Arctander – Perfume and Flavor Materials of Natural Origin

• Chirality & Odour Perception, J. Leffingwell, Ph.D.

• Lawless, J. (1995). The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils

• National Center for Biotechnology Information (2020), PubChem CID 8842

• Fulvio Ciccolo, Creative Base Design Notes

• Formulation Stability Testing Notes – Scentspiracy Studio (2024)

• Perfumery Raw Materials Handbook, Internal Training (2023)