Citronellol (CAS 106-22-9) — Floral Heart Note Fragrance Ingredient
Citronellol
CAS 106-22-9
What Is Citronellol?
Citronellol is a naturally occurring alcohol found in rose and geranium oils, commonly used in perfumes, soaps, and candles. It imparts a fresh, floral, and slightly citrusy scent that is widely appreciated in personal care products. This ingredient matters because it adds a natural, uplifting quality to fragrances, making it a staple in many floral and citrus compositions. Its pleasant aroma and versatility make it a favorite among perfumers and consumers alike.
Safety Profile
GENERALLY SAFE
What Does Citronellol Smell Like?
Citronellol greets the nose with a bright, rosy freshness, reminiscent of dewy rose petals at dawn. As it evolves, it reveals a subtle citrus undertone, like a whisper of lemon zest blended with geranium leaves. The heart is softly floral, with a green, slightly herbaceous edge that adds depth. In the dry-down, it leaves a clean, slightly sweet trail, akin to a freshly picked rose with a hint of green stems. Its scent is uplifting yet gentle, making it a versatile player in floral and citrus accords.
Scent Profile
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Citronellol adds a fresh, rosy lift to the iconic floral bouquet, balancing the aldehydes and enhancing the natural floralcy.
Used to amplify the rose and geranium notes, giving a vibrant, youthful edge to the classic chypre structure.
Citronellol enhances the realism of the rose accord, adding a dewy, freshly-picked quality to the composition.
Provides a crisp, green-tinged rose note that complements the litchi and bergamot top notes.
Citronellol contributes to the radiant, slightly citrusy rose heart, adding brightness to the amber and papyrus base.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: CC(CCO)CCC=C(C)C
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Citronellol is a monoterpenoid alcohol, specifically a saturated acyclic terpene alcohol. It exists in two enantiomeric forms: (R)-(-)-citronellol, which is more common in rose and geranium oils, and (S)-(+)-citronellol, found in citronella oil. The compound is typically synthesized via hydrogenation of geraniol or citronellal, or through biotechnological routes using microbial fermentation. Its chiral nature influences its odor profile, with the (R)-form being more floral and the (S)-form exhibiting a sharper, more citrusy character.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Boiling Point | 225 °C |
|---|---|
| Density | 0.855 g/cm³ |
| Refractive Index | 1.456 |
| Vapor Pressure | 0.01 mmHg at 25 °C |
| Solubility | Slightly soluble in water, miscible with alcohols and oils |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 5-10% | Up to 20% | Core floral modifier |
| Soap & Detergents | 1-3% | Up to 5% | Adds fresh floralcy |
| Candles | 2-5% | Up to 8% | Provides clean floral note |
| Cosmetics | 0.5-2% | Up to 3% | Skin-safe floral enhancer |
Classic Accords
+ Citral + Limonene = Citrus Floral
+ Phenethyl Alcohol + Rose Oxide = Modern Rose
Tip: Use citronellol to add a fresh, natural floral lift to rose accords without overpowering the composition.
Alternatives & Comparisons
More intensely floral with less citrus; use when a stronger rose character is desired.
Lighter, more citrusy floral; ideal for orange blossom or neroli accords.
More refined, honeyed rose note; suitable for high-end floral compositions.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. IFRA, REACH, EU Cosmetics Regulation standards update periodically. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating. Not legal or regulatory advice.
IFRA Status
Citronellol is not restricted by IFRA. It is classified as a potential allergen under IFRA Amendment 49, requiring declaration in consumer products above certain thresholds.
EU Allergen Declaration
Citronellol is listed as an EU allergen (Annex III of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009) and must be declared on cosmetic product labels when present at ≥0.001% in leave-on products or ≥0.01% in rinse-off products.
GHS Classification
H319 Eye irritation
RIFM Assessment
RIFM has evaluated citronellol as safe for use in fragrance formulations at current levels, with no significant risk of sensitization or systemic toxicity.
Sustainability
Citronellol is primarily sourced from geranium and rose oils, though synthetic production is common to meet demand sustainably. Synthetic routes reduce pressure on natural resources and ensure consistent quality. Biotechnological production using engineered yeast strains is an emerging, eco-friendly alternative to traditional chemical synthesis.
Explore Citronellol
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Industry & Science Data
References
- Burdock, G.A. (2010). Fenaroli’s Handbook of Flavor Ingredients. CRC Press. ISBN 9781420090772
- Opdyke, D.L.J. (1979). Monographs on Fragrance Raw Materials. Food and Cosmetics Toxicology. PMID 117161
- PubChem Compound Summary for Citronellol. CID 8842
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Mar 2026.
Ingredient Data Sheet
CAS 106-22-9Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 156.26 g/mol🔬 PubChem |
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 3.2🔬 PubChem |
| Boiling Point | 224 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Vapor Pressure | 0.04 mmHg @ 25°C📊 OPERA |
| Involatility Index | 0.0034💻 Calculated |
| log Kp (skin permeability) | -1.381💻 Calculated |
Volatility & Performance
| Fragrance Note | Heart💻 Calculated |
| Volatility Class | Very slow💻 Calculated |
| Persistence Score | 2.5 / 5💻 Calculated |
Odor & Flavor
| “tobacco-like and very tenacious odor. more herbaceous Rose-note in Oriental or Chypre type fragrances, Tabac-notes, etc.”📖 Arctander |
Sensory Thresholds
| Odor Detection Threshold | 0.0455 ppm (n=3)📖 van Gemert |
Regulatory Status
| IFRA Listed | Yes — see IFRA Standards for category limits⚖️ IFRA 51 |
| EU Annex III | Listed (restricted)⚖️ IFRA 51 |
Physical data: PubChem (NIH/NLM), U.S. EPA CompTox Dashboard, EPA OPERA models, RDKit. Odor & flavor: Arctander (Perfume & Flavor Chemicals), Fenaroli's Handbook of Flavor Ingredients, Leffingwell. Thresholds: van Gemert (Compilations of Odour Threshold Values). Regulatory: IFRA Standards 51st, FEMA GRAS. Trade names: Surburg (Common Fragrance & Flavor Materials). All data compiled and cross-referenced for perfumertools.com.
Physicochemical Properties
DTXSID: DTXSID3026726
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 156.269 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 0.855 g/cm^3🔬 PubChem |
| Boiling Point | 224 °C🔬 PubChem |
| Flash Point | 136 °C📊 PubChem |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 2.751 dimensionless💻 Computed |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 0.04 mmHg🔬 PubChem |
Molecular Descriptors
| Topological Polar Surface Area | 20.23 Ų💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Donors | 1 count💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Acceptors | 1 count💻 Computed |
| Rotatable Bonds | 5 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 0 count💻 Computed |
Data Sources:
🔬 EPA Experimental data from U.S. EPA CompTox Chemicals Dashboard & CTX APIs. 📊 OPERA Predicted using EPA's OPERA QSAR models. 💻 Computed Calculated from SMILES using RDKit.
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