ScenTree, la nouvelle encyclopédie des ingrédients de parfum.

Exploring the branches of scent

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Crédits photo: ScenTree SAS

CAS number :

5392-40-5

EINECS number :

226-394-6

FEMA number :

2303

JECFA number :

1225

FLAVIS number :

05.020

Volatility :

Head

Appearance :

Colorless to pale yellow liquid

Price Range :

€€

Stability :

Aldehydes may form diethylacetals in alcoholic perfumes, with no real impact on their smell. Terpenes tend to polymerize by oxydation. Very instable in most of perfumed products, except shampoos, hair conditioners, soaps and other neutral products.

Density :

0.89

Molecular formula :

C₁₀H₁₆O

Molecular Weight :

152.24 g/mol

Flash Point :

208.4°F (98°C)

Log P :

2.9

Fusion Point :

-4°F (-20°C)

Boiling Point :

444.2°F (229°C)

Detection Threshold :

0,01

Crédits photo: ScenTree SAS

Year of discovery :

Discovered in 1889.

Synthesis route :

The synthetic production of Citral takes many forms. A copper-catalysed dehydrogenation in vapor phase allows Citral to be obtained from Geraniol or from a mixture of Geraniol and Nerol. Another synthetic route is made from Dehydrolinalool (Linalool containing an alcyne function instead of an alcene) simply by puting it in the presence of a vanadium catalyst such as sodium orthovanadate.

Synthesis precursor :

Citral is an unsaturated aldehyde, capable of forming many compounds with an organoleptic interest or for other applications. For example, it may be subjected to a condensation of the aldehyde function with another carbonyl function, or be cyclized, or even polymerized. In addition, hydrogenation of Citral leads to Geraniol, Citronellol or 1,3-Dimethyl-1-octanol. It is also at the origin of the synthesis of pseudoionones, by condensation with an active methylene group. These compounds allow to obtain ionones (Alpha-Ionone, Beta-Ionone) or vitamins (vitamin A for example). Finally, Citral forms a Schiff base by reaction with Methyl Anthranilate or Indole for example.

Isomerism :

Citral is actually a mixture of two molecules: Geranial and Neral, with a similar smell. Both are enantiomers, as Citral contains a double bond. Thus, Geranial is the trans (E) isomer and Neral is the cis (Z) isomer of Citral. Both can be separated by adding hydrogen sulfite salts in the mixture. This allows to separate them and convert them back to their original form afterwards. Isocyclocitral® and Camphor are constitutional isomers of Citral. Isocyclocitral has a citrus smell, although greener and earthier.

Natural availability :

Several essential oils are called 'Citral essential oils'. Lemongrass EO can contain up to 85% Citral, Litsea Cubeba EO up to 75% and Verbena up to about 40%. Citral can therefore be obtained naturally from these essential oils.

Allergens :

Citral may provoke an allergic reaction on skin contact (redness, heat, scraching, prickling) for some people.

For more information on allergens used in perfumery, please consult our article about allergens

IFRA :

This ingredient is not restricted

Annexe I :

Maximum usage according to the product category :
Ingredients containing
Ingredient Name	CAS N°	Estimated Concentration

Restriction type :

RESTRICTION QRA

Cause of restriction :

SENSITIZATION

Amendment :

40

Comments :

This ingredient is part of the Schiff base (Citral-methyl anthranilate) - N°CAS :67801-47-2) and induces the application of IFRA regulations for 53,3% of the Schiff base usage. Please also refer to the IFRA Annex II for more information

Quantitative usage limits :

Cat.1	Cat.2	Cat.3	Cat.4	Cat.5	Cat.6	Cat.7	Cat.8	Cat.9	Cat.10	Cat.11
0,04 %	0,05 %	0,2 %	0,6 %	0,3 %	1 %	0,1 %	1,4 %	5 %	2,5 %	Not restricted

Skin contact products		Non skin contact products
Leave on products	Rinse off products	Non skin contact products

Annexe I :

Some regulated synthetic ingredients are found in nature and in certain proportions in natural ingredients. This presence in nature has to be taken into account when calculating limits of use recommended by the IFRA. In case you do not know these concentrations, you can use the ones estimated by the IFRA. Here They are :

List of natural ingredients containing the material presented here
Ingredient Name	Botanical Name	CAS N°	Estimated Concentration
Balm oil	Melissa officinalis L.	8014-71-9	68
Bergamot oil expressed	Citrus aurantium L. bergamia Risso et Poiteau	8007-75-8	0,7
Bergamot oil terpenes	Citrus aurantium L. bergamia (Risso) Wright & Arn.	68917-80-6	0,1
Bergamot oil, furocoumarin free	Citrus aurantium L. bergamia (Risso) Wright & Arn.	68648-33-9	0,7
Cardamom extract	Elettaria cardamomum (L.) Maton	8000-66-6	0,5
Cardamom oil	Elettaria cardamomum (L.) Maton	8000-66-6	0,5
Cassie absolute	Vachellia farnesiana (L.) Willd.	8023-82-3	0,03
Citron oil	Citrus medica L.	68991-25-3	5
Citronella oil, Ceylon type	Cymbopogon nardus L.	8000-29-1	0,6
Citronella oil, Java type	Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt	8000-29-1	0,8
Citrus junos oil	Citrus junos Siebold ex. Tanaka ichangensis × reticulata var. austera (reticulata var. austera)	233683-84-6	0,01
Cyperus articulatus oil	Cyperus articulatus L.	799259-56-6	0,7
Geranium oil	Pelargonium graveolens l'Hertier ex Aiton	8000-46-2	0,5
Geranium oil	Pelargonium graveolens l'Hertier ex Aiton	8000-46-2	0,5
Geranium oil African	Pelargonium odoratissimum L'Heritier	8000-46-2	0,5
Geranium oil, terpene-free	Pelargonium graveolens l'Hertier ex Aiton	68916-44-9	0,5
Ginger oil	Zingiber officinale Roscoe	8007-08-7	2
Ginger oleoresin	Zingiber officinale Roscoe	8007-08-7	0,8
Grapefruit oil	Citrus paradisi Macf.	8016-20-4	0,1
Grapefruit oil, folded	Citrus paradisi Macf.	68916-46-1	1,2
Grapefruit oil, terpeneless	Citrus paradisi Macf.	68916-46-1	1,2
Lemon oil	Citrus limon (L.) Burm. f.	8008-56-8	2,1
Lemon oil folded	Citrus limon (L.) Burm. f.	8008-56-8	12
Lemon oil terpeneless	Citrus limon (L.) Burm. f.	68648-39-5	40
Lemon oil, distilled	Citrus limon (L.) Burm. f.	8008-56-8	2,1
Lemon oil, furocoumarin free	Citrus limon (L.) Burm. f.	68916-89-2	2,1
Lemon oil, terpenes	Citrus limon (L.) Burm. f.	68917-33-9	0,2
Lemongrass oil terpenes	Cymbopogon spp.	72869-82-0	1
Lemongrass oil, East Indian	Cymbopogon flexuosus (Nees ex Steudel) Will. Watson	8007-02-1	81
Lime oil distilled	Citrus latifolia Tanaka and Citrus aurantifolia (Christman) Swingle	8008-26-2	0,2
Lime oil terpenes	Citrus latifolia Tanaka and Citrus aurantifolia (Christman) Swingle	68917-71-5	0,1
Lime oil, cold pressed, furocoumarin free	Citrus latifolia Tanaka and Citrus aurantifolia (Christman) Swingle	68916-83-6	7
Lime oil, expressed	Citrus latifolia Tanaka and Citrus aurantifolia (Christman) Swingle	8008-26-2	7
Lime oil, terpeneless	Citrus latifolia Tanaka and Citrus aurantifolia (Christman) Swingle	68916-84-7	0,22
Litsea cubeba oil	Litsea cubeba (Lour.)Pers.	68855-99-2	69
Mandarin oil, terpeneless	Citrus reticulata blanco	68917-20-4	10,5
Murcote oil	Citrus reticulata spp. murcote, Swingle	93686-22-7	0,1
Orange essence oil	Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck	68514-75-0	0,15
Orange flower oil, bitter (neroli and neroli bigarade)	Citrus aurantium L.	8016-38-4	0,1
Orange oil, bitter	Citrus aurantium L.	68916-04-1	0,1
Orange oil, sweet, psoralen-free	Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck	68917-07-7	0,15
Orange peel oil, bitter, terpene-free	Citrus aurantium L.	68916-02-9	10
Orange peel oil, sweet terpeneless	Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck	68606-94-0	7
Orange peel, sweet oil	Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck	8008-57-9	0,15
Orange peel, sweet, extract	Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck	8028-48-6	0,1
Orange sweet oil folded	Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck	68606-94-0	7
Origanum oil (extractive)	Thymus capitatus L. Hoffmanns & Link	8007-11-2	0,3
Palmarosa oil	Cymbopogon martinii (Roxb.) Wats	8014-19-5	1
Petitgrain bigarade oil	Citrus aurantium L.	8014-17-3	1
Petitgrain lemon oil	Citrus limon (L.) Burm. f.	8048-51-9	23
Petitgrain mandarin oil	Citrus nobilis Lour.	8014-17-3	0,08
Rose absolute	Rosa x damascena Mill.	90106-38-0	0,34
Rose concrete	Rosa x damascena Mill.	90106-38-0	0,16
Rose oil	Rosa x damascena Mill.	8007-01-0	1,4
Tangelo oil	Citrus paradisi x Citrus reticulata	72869-73-9	0,1
Tangerine oil	Citrus reticulata blanco	8016-85-1	0,1
Tangerine oil terpeneless	Citrus reticulata blanco	68607-01-2	10
Tangor oil	Citrus reticulata x Citrus sinensis	93686-22-7	0,1
Verbena absolute	Aloysia citrodora Paláu	8024-12-2	25,6
Verbena oil	Aloysia citrodora Paláu	8024-12-2	31

Annexe I :

Maximum usage according to the product category :
Ingredients containing
Ingredient Name	CAS N°	Estimated Concentration

Restriction type :

RESTRICTION

Cause of restriction :

DERMAL SENSITIZATION AND SYSTEMIC TOXICITY

Amendment :

49

Comments :

This ingredient is part of the Schiff base (Citral-methyl anthranilate - N°CAS : 67801-47-2) and induces the application of IFRA regulations for 53,3% of the Schiff base usage. Please also refer to the IFRA Annex II for more information

Quantitative limit on the use :

Cat.1	Cat.2	Cat.3	Cat.4	Cat.5A	Cat.5B	Cat.5C	Cat.5D	Cat.6
0,11 %	0,032 %	0,1 %	0,6 %	0,15 %	0,15 %	0,15 %	0,051 %	0,35 %
Cat.7A	Cat.7B	Cat.8	Cat.9	Cat.10A	Cat.10B	Cat.11A	Cat.11B	Cat.12
0,2 %	0,2 %	0,051 %	1,2 %	1,2 %	4,2 %	0,051 %	0,051 %	Not restricted

Annexe I :

Some regulated synthetic ingredients are found in nature and in certain proportions in natural ingredients. This presence in nature has to be taken into account when calculating limits of use recommended by the IFRA. In case you do not know these concentrations, you can use the ones estimated by the IFRA. Here They are :

List of natural ingredients containing the material presented here
Ingredient Name	Botanical Name	CAS N°	Estimated Concentration
Balm oil	Melissa officinalis L.	8014-71-9	58
Bergamot oil terpenes	Citrus bergamia (Risso) Wright & Arn.	68917-80-6	0,1
Bergamot oil, expressed	Citrus bergamia (Risso) Wright & Arn.	8007-75-8	0,7
Bergamot oil, furocoumarin free	Citrus bergamia (Risso) Wright & Arn.	68648-33-9	0,43
Cardamom seed extract	Elettaria cardamomum (L.) Maton	8000-66-6	0,35
Cardamom seed oil	Elettaria cardamomum (L.) Maton	8000-66-6	0,5
Cassie absolute	Vachellia farnesiana (L.) Willd.	8023-82-3	0,03
Citron oil	Citrus medica L.	68991-25-3	5
Citronella oil, Ceylon type	Cymbopogon nardus (L.) Rendle	8000-29-1	0,8
Citronella oil, Java type	Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt	8000-29-1	0,8
Citrus junos oil	Citrus junos Siebold ex. Tanaka ichangensis × reticulata var. austera (reticulata var. austera) (Rutaceae)	233683-84-6	0,01
Cyperus articulatus oil	Cyperus articulatus L.	799259-56-6	0,7
Eucalyptus radiata oil	Eucalyptus radiata Sieber ex DC oil	92201-64-4	1,5
Geranium oil	Pelargonium graveolens l'Hertier ex Aiton	8000-46-2	0,5
Geranium oil African	Pelargonium odoratissimum L'Heritier	8000-46-2	0,5
Geranium oil, terpene-free	Pelargonium graveolens l'Hertier ex Aiton	68916-44-9	0,5
Ginger oil	Zingiber officinale Rosc.	8007-08-7	2,8
Ginger oleoresin	Zingiber officinale Rosc.	8007-08-7	0,8
Grapefruit oil	Citrus paradisi Macf.	8016-20-4	0,1
Grapefruit oil, folded	Citrus paradisi Macf.	68916-46-1	1,2
Grapefruit oil, terpeneless	Citrus paradisi Macf.	68916-46-1	10
Kumquat oil, Fortunella margarita	Fortunella (Lour.) Swingle	938464-05-2	10
Lemon extract	Citrus limon (L.) Burm. f.	84929-31-7	0,7
Lemon oil folded (5X)	Citrus limon (L.) Burm. f.	8008-56-8	12
Lemon oil folded (10X)	Citrus limon (L.) Burm. f.	8008-56-8	25,4
Lemon oil terpeneless	Citrus limon (L.) Burm. f.	68648-39-5	40
Lemon oil, distilled	Citrus limon (L.) Burm. f.	8008-56-8	2,1
Lemon oil, expressed	Citrus limon (L.) Burm. f.	8008-56-8	3,5
Lemon oil, furocoumarin free	Citrus limon (L.) Burm. f.	68916-89-2	2,1
Lemon oil, terpenes	Citrus limon (L.) Burm. f.	68917-33-9	0,51
Lemon oil. essence	Citrus limon (L.) Burm. f.	8008-56-8	1,8
Lemongrass oil terpenes	Cymbopogon spp.	72869-82-0	1
Lemongrass oil, East Indian	Cymbopogon flexuosus (Nees ex Steudel) Will. Watson	8007-02-1	73
Lemongrass oil, West Indian	Cymbopogon citratus (DC) Stapf.	8007-02-1	73
Lime oil distilled	Citrus aurantifolia (Swingle)	8008-26-2	0,2
Lime oil terpenes	Citrus aurantifolia (Swingle)	68917-71-5	0,05
Lime oil, cold pressed, furocoumarin free	Citrus aurantifolia (Christman) Swingle	68916-83-6	7
Lime oil, expressed	Citrus aurantifolia (Christman) Swingle	8008-26-2	7
Lime oil, terpeneless	Citrus aurantifolia (Swingle)	68916-84-7	0,22
Lime oil. expressed folded (2-5X)	Citrus aurantifolia (Christman) Swingle	93685-55-3	20
Lime oil. folded (2-5X)	Citrus aurantifolia (Swingle)	8008-26-2	0,15
Litsea cubeba oil	Litsea Cubeba(Lour.) Pers.	68855-99-2	69
Mandarin oil, terpeneless	Citrus reticulata Blanco	68917-20-4	10,5
Marjoram oil, Spanish	Origanum mastichina L.	8016-33-9	0,2
Meyer lemon oil. cold pressed	Citrus x meyerii	1370641-98-7	5
Murcote oil, expressed	Citrus reticulata spp. murcote, Swingle	93686-22-7	0,1
Orange essence oil	Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck	68514-75-0	0,15
Orange flower oil, bitter (neroli and neroli bigarade)	Citrus aurantium L. spp. Amara Link	8016-38-4	0,2
Orange oil, bitter	Citrus aurantium L. spp. Amara Link	68916-04-1	0,1
Orange oil, sweet, psoralen-free	Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck	8008-57-9	0,15
Orange peel oil, bitter, terpene-free	Citrus aurantium L. spp. Amara Link	68916-02-9	10
Orange peel oil, sweet terpeneless	Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck	68606-94-0	5
Orange peel, sweet oil	Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck	8008-57-9	0,15
Orange peel, sweet, extract	Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck	8008-57-9	0,1
Orange sweet oil folded	Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck	8008-57-9	7
Origanum oil (extractive)	Thymus capitatus L. Hoffmanns & Link	8007-11-2	0,3
Palmarosa oil	Cymbopogon martinii (Roxb.) Wats	8014-19-5	0,6
Persian lime oil, expressed	Citrus latifolia Tanaka	8008-26-2	5
Petitgrain bergamot oil	Citrus bergamia (Risso) Wright & Arn.	8007-75-8	0,3
Petitgrain bigarade oil	Citrus aurantium L. spp. Amara Link	8014-17-3	0,65
Petitgrain lemon oil	Citrus limon (L.) Burm. f.	8048-51-9	23
Petitgrain mandarin oil	Citrus reticulata Blanco	8014-17-3	0,08
Petitgrain mandarin oil terpeneless	Citrus reticulata Blanco	84929-38-4	0,16
Rose absolute	Rosa x damascena Mill.	90106-38-0	0,05
Rose concrete	Rosa x damascena Mill.	90106-38-0	0,16
Rose oil	Rosa x damascena Mill.	8007-01-0	1,4
Tangelo oil, expressed	Citrus x tangelo Ingram and Moore	72869-73-9	0,1
Tangerine oil	Citrus reticulata blanco	8016-85-1	0,1
Tangerine oil terpeneless	Citrus reticulata blanco	68607-01-2	10
Tangor oil, expressed	Citrus reticulata x Citrus sinensis	93686-22-7	0,1
Verbena absolute	Lippia citriodora (L.) Kunth	8024-12-2	25,6

To learn more about IFRA's standards : https://ifrafragrance.org/safe-use/library
To find out the specificities of each category and the ingredients prohibited by IFRA, click article about l'IFRA
ScenTree is solely responsible for the information provided here.

Uses in perfumery :

Citral is used in citrus notes and especially lemon notes. Can be mixed with D-Limonene for a sweet facet. Brings a fresh facet to ginger and shades the camphorated facet of cardamom.

Other names :

3,7-dimethylocta-2,6-dienal, citralia, hesperitraal, lemarome N, lemsyn, 3,7-dimethyl-2,6-octadienal

Other comments :

Citral is one of the 26 allergens in perfumery.