Citronellyl ethyl ether (CAS 69929-16-4) — Floral Top-heart Note Fragrance Ingredient
Citronellyl ethyl ether
CAS 69929-16-4
What Is Citronellyl ethyl ether?
Citronellyl ethyl ether is a synthetic fragrance ingredient used to add rosy, floral freshness to perfumes and scented products. You’ll encounter it in air fresheners, fabric softeners, and some floral perfumes. This ether modifies citrusy citronellol into a softer, more diffusive scent, making it valuable for creating long-lasting fresh floral effects without harshness.
Safety Profile
GENERALLY SAFEWhat Does Citronellyl ethyl ether Smell Like?
Opens with a dewy rose-petal freshness, like morning garden mist lifting to reveal citrus groves. The ethyl ether group softens citronellol’s sharp edges into a rounded floralcy that floats effortlessly. Drydown carries faint whispers of green apple skins and wet stones – surprisingly fresh for an ether. Performs like invisible floral scaffolding, extending other notes rather than dominating.
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Provides the sustained floral vitality in this aromatherapy-inspired classic, blending with ginseng and citrus for an energizing effect.
Used as a floral bridge between crisp top notes and creamy musk base, creating the ‘breeze’ illusion.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: CCOCCC(C)CCC=C(C)C
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
An ethyl ether derivative of citronellol, created through Williamson ether synthesis. The ether linkage increases volatility compared to citronellol while reducing alcohol reactivity. This modification enhances diffusion and shelf stability in alkaline formulations. Chiral centers from original citronellol are preserved, contributing to odor nuance.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 184.28 g/mol |
|---|---|
| Boiling Point | ~230 °C (estimated) |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Functional Fragrances | 1-3% | Up to 5% | For sustained freshness |
| Fine Fragrance | 0.5-2% | Up to 3% | Floral modifier |
Classic Accords
Tip: Use to ‘float’ heavy florals in shower gel formulas where alcohol notes might clash with surfactants.
Alternatives & Comparisons
The parent alcohol for sharper, more citrusy effects when ether smoothness isn’t desired.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.
IFRA Status
No IFRA restrictions currently apply to this material.
EU Allergen Declaration
Not listed in EU allergen regulations.
RIFM Assessment
RIFM has reviewed citronellol (parent compound) but no specific assessment found for this ether derivative.
Sustainability
Synthesized from renewable citronellol, typically derived from sustainable palm or corn feedstocks. The etherification process is atom-efficient with minimal waste streams. Preferred over some traditional musks for its biodegradability profile.
Explore Citronellyl ethyl ether
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References
- PubChem Compound Summary for Citronellol CID 8842
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.
Report a data errorPhysicochemical Properties
DTXSID: DTXSID7052444
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 184.323 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 0.819 g/cm^3📊 OPERA |
| Boiling Point | 226.711 °C📊 OPERA |
| Melting Point | -55.345 °C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 78.794 °C📊 OPERA |
| Refractive Index | 1.436 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 226.772 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 4.747 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 4.747 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 4.747 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 5.87 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 0.001 mol/L📊 OPERA |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 0.293 mmHg📊 OPERA |
| Viscosity | 1.545 cP📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 24.886 dyn/cm📊 OPERA |
| Thermal Conductivity | 129.228 mW/(m*K)📊 OPERA |
Molecular Descriptors
| Topological Polar Surface Area | 9.23 Ų💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Donors | 0 count💻 Computed |
| H-Bond Acceptors | 1 count💻 Computed |
| Rotatable Bonds | 7 count💻 Computed |
| Aromatic Rings | 0 count💻 Computed |
| Molar Refractivity | 59.248 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 23.488 Å^3📊 OPERA |
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.
