(+)-(R)-Citronellol (CAS 1117-61-9) — Floral Middle Note Fragrance Ingredient
(+)-(R)-Citronellol
CAS 1117-61-9
What Is (+)-(R)-Citronellol?
(+)-(R)-Citronellol is a naturally occurring monoterpenoid alcohol found in rose and geranium essential oils, commonly used in perfumery for its fresh, rosy scent. It matters because it provides a natural, floral character to fragrances while being more stable than some natural extracts, making it a versatile ingredient in both fine fragrances and household products.
Safety Profile
GENERALLY SAFEWhat Does (+)-(R)-Citronellol Smell Like?
(+)-(R)-Citronellol offers a fresh, floral aroma with distinct rosy and citrusy undertones. It evolves from a bright, slightly lemony top note to a deeper, sweeter heart reminiscent of rose petals. The dry-down is smooth and slightly green, leaving a clean, uplifting trail. Its scent profile is often compared to a dewy rose garden at dawn, with a subtle hint of citrus zest.
In Famous Fragrances
Fragrance associations may not reflect actual formulations.
Used to enhance the floral bouquet, providing a fresh, rosy lift that balances the aldehydes and jasmine.
Adds a natural rose note, blending seamlessly with ylang-ylang and pear for a luminous floral effect.
2D Molecular Structure
SMILES: C[C@@H](CCO)CCC=C(C)C
Chemistry, Properties & Perfumer Guide
The Chemistry
(+)-(R)-Citronellol is a monoterpenoid alcohol with the molecular formula C10H20O. It is a chiral molecule, with the (+)-(R)-enantiomer being the more common in nature. It is typically synthesized via hydrogenation of citronellal or from geraniol. The chiral center at the 3-position contributes to its distinct olfactory properties, differing from its (S)-enantiomer.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Boiling Point | 225 °C |
|---|---|
| Density | 0.855 g/cm³ |
Perfumer Guide
| Application | Typical % | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fine Fragrance | 5-10% | Up to 20% | Key floral modifier |
| Household Products | 1-3% | Up to 5% | Adds fresh, floral character |
Classic Accords
Tip: Use in floral accords to enhance naturalness and reduce harshness.
Alternatives & Comparisons
More intense floral character, but less stable and more prone to oxidation.
Deeper, honeyed rose note, but less fresh and citrusy.
Safety, Regulatory & Sustainability
⚠ Regulatory Disclaimer
General reference only. Consult current IFRA Standards Library before formulating.
IFRA Status
No restrictions under IFRA standards.
EU Allergen Declaration
Not listed as an EU allergen.
RIFM Assessment
RIFM assessment confirms safety at current usage levels.
Sustainability
Synthetic (+)-(R)-Citronellol is more sustainable than natural extraction, reducing environmental impact. It is typically produced from renewable turpentine feedstocks, offering a consistent supply chain without depleting natural resources.
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References
- Bauer, K. et al. (2001). Common Fragrance and Flavor Materials. Wiley-VCH. PubChem CID 8842
Data: PubChem (NIH), PubMed, RIFM, IFRA. Last reviewed: Apr 2026.
Report a data errorIngredient Data Sheet
CAS 1117-61-9Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 156.26 g/mol🔬 PubChem |
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 3.2🔬 PubChem |
| Boiling Point | 221 °C🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Vapor Pressure | 0.02 mmHg @ 25°C📊 OPERA |
| Involatility Index | 0.0017💻 Calculated |
| log Kp (skin permeability) | -1.381💻 Calculated |
| SMILES | CC(CCC=C(C)C)CCO🔬 PubChem |
Volatility & Performance
| Fragrance Note | Heart💻 Calculated |
| Volatility Class | Very slow💻 Calculated |
| Persistence Score | 3 / 5💻 Calculated |
Odor & Flavor
| Primary Descriptors | rose• leffingwell |
| Functional Groups | alcoholalkene💻 RDKit |
| “86-45; 96-168; Woody and slightly floral odor, considerably weaker than the odor of alpha- and bera- Ionones.”📖 Arctander | |
Sensory Thresholds
| Odor Detection Threshold | 0.0458 ppm (n=4)📖 van Gemert |
Regulatory Status
| IFRA Listed | Yes — see IFRA Standards for category limits⚖️ 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: DTXSID00880647
Physical Properties
| Molecular Weight | 156.269 g/mol🔬 EPA CompTox |
| Density | 0.852 g/cm^3📊 OPERA |
| Boiling Point | 222.5 °C🔬 EPA CTX |
| Melting Point | 2.622 °C📊 OPERA |
| Flash Point | 95.427 °C📊 OPERA |
| Refractive Index | 1.451 Dimensionless📊 OPERA |
| Molar Volume | 184.902 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
Partition & Solubility
| LogP (Octanol-Water) | 3.736 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 5.5) | 3.736 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogD (pH 7.4) | 3.736 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| LogKoa (Octanol-Air) | 7.38 Log10 unitless📊 OPERA |
| Water Solubility | 0.002 mol/L🔬 EPA CTX |
| Henry's Law Constant | 0 atm-m3/mole📊 OPERA |
Transport Properties
| Vapor Pressure | 0.033 mmHg📊 OPERA |
| Viscosity | 4.153 cP📊 OPERA |
| Surface Tension | 27.663 dyn/cm📊 OPERA |
| Thermal Conductivity | 140.474 mW/(m*K)📊 OPERA |
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 |
| Molar Refractivity | 49.772 cm^3/mol📊 OPERA |
| Polarizability | 19.731 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.
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