Hydroxycitronellal dimethyl acetal (CAS 141-92-4) — Floral Middle Note Fragrance Ingredient
Hydroxycitronellal dimethyl acetal
CAS 141-92-4
What Is Hydroxycitronellal dimethyl acetal?
Hydroxycitronellal dimethyl acetal is a synthetic fragrance ingredient used to add a fresh, floral-citrus character to perfumes and scented products. You’ll encounter it in body washes, fabric softeners, and floral perfumes where it contributes a dewy, green-lily note. This molecule matters because it offers perfumers a stable, long-lasting alternative to natural floral ingredients, with excellent blending properties that help create harmonious floral bouquets in modern fragrances.
Safety Profile
GENERALLY SAFEWhat Does Hydroxycitronellal dimethyl acetal Smell Like?
Hydroxycitronellal dimethyl acetal unfolds like morning dew on lily petals – an initial burst of citrusy freshness (reminiscent of crushed bergamot leaves) that quickly softens into a transparent floral heart. The dry-down reveals a delicate green undertone, like the stem sap of freshly cut flowers, with a clean, soapy-musky base that lingers subtly. Unlike its parent hydroxycitronellal, the acetal form is more stable, offering perfumers a longer-lasting floralcy that won’t turn metallic or harsh in alkaline products.
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Used as a modernizer in reformulations, contributing a crisp floralcy that bridges the aldehydic sparkle and ylang-ylang heart without the volatility of natural lily materials.
Employed as a supporting actor to muguet replacers, adding depth and persistence to the lily-of-the-valley accord while maintaining transparency.
Provides the dewy floral facet that interacts with the aquatic notes, creating the illusion of water droplets on lotus flowers.
Contributes to the ‘clean linen’ effect through its soapy floral character that blends seamlessly with aldehydes and white musks.
Used as part of the fresh floral bouquet to create the signature ‘petals after rain’ effect with enhanced longevity.
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
Hydroxycitronellal dimethyl acetal is an acetal derivative of hydroxycitronellal, formed by reacting the aldehyde with methanol. This conversion protects the aldehyde group, making the molecule more stable against oxidation while retaining similar odor characteristics. Industrially produced through acid-catalyzed acetalization, it belongs to the acyclic terpene alcohol derivatives class. The acetal functional group (two ether linkages to one carbon) gives the molecule greater alkaline stability compared to its aldehyde precursor, making it particularly valuable for soap and detergent applications where pH stability is crucial.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Appearance | Colorless to pale yellow liquid |
|---|---|
| Boiling Point | ~250 °C (estimated) |
| Flash Point | >100 °C |
| Density | ~0.93 g/cm³ (estimated) |
| Solubility | Soluble in alcohol, oils; insoluble in water |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 1-3% | Up to 5% | Floral bouquet builder |
| Soaps/Detergents | 0.5-1.5% | Up to 3% | pH-stable floralcy |
| Shampoos | 0.3-1% | Up to 2% | Clean floral character |
| Fabric Care | 0.1-0.5% | Up to 1% | Linen freshness |
Classic Accords
Tip: Use with ionones to extend floralcy or with calone to create aquatic floral effects.
Alternatives & Comparisons
The parent aldehyde offers stronger initial impact but lacks stability in alkaline systems and may require antioxidant protection.
Provides similar lily-muguet character but with greater tenacity; restricted under IFRA 49 for leave-on products.
For more powdery floral effects with better solubility in hydroalcoholic systems.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.
IFRA Status
Not currently restricted under IFRA standards. Listed on IFRA Transparency List with no usage limits specified.
RIFM Assessment
RIFM has evaluated safety data for this material; no significant concerns identified at current usage levels.
Sustainability
As a fully synthetic material, hydroxycitronellal dimethyl acetal doesn’t rely on natural resource extraction. Its production from petrochemical precursors benefits from established industrial processes with relatively low environmental impact compared to some natural floral absolutes. The increased stability translates to longer fragrance lifespan in products, potentially reducing reapplication frequency. Future green chemistry approaches may explore bio-based routes using fermentation-derived intermediates.
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References
- Bauer, K. et al. (2001). Common Fragrance and Flavor Materials. Wiley-VCH. ISBN 9783527617878
- IFRA Standards Library IFRA Standards
- Leffingwell & Associates Technical Database Leffingwell
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.
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