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Citral

Q: Is Citral natural or synthetic?

. Extraction: Found at high levels in lemongrass, May Chang, verbena. Also produced synthetically..

CITRUS SMELLS / citrus · lemon · fresh

Citral

Category	CITRUS SMELLS
Subcategory	citrus · lemon · fresh
Origin
Volatility	Top Note
Botanical	N/A — naturally found in Cymbopogon citratus (lemongrass), Litsea cubeba (May Chang), Backhousia citriodora (lemon myrtle)
Appearance	Pale yellow clear liquid with strong lemon odor
Producing Countries	China (Litsea cubeba oil), India, Guatemala (lemongrass oil); also produced synthetically worldwide
Pyramid	Top

Sharp, lemon-bright, verbena-like. Citral (CAS 5392-40-5) is the molecule that smells most purely of lemon. Sharper than limonene, also the starting material for ionone synthesis.

Scent
The Full Story
Fun Fact
Extraction & Chemistry
In Perfumery

Scent

Sharp, lemony, verbena-like. The most lemony molecule in existence. Like biting into a lemon peel: immediate, penetrating. Volatile and unstable but unmistakable.

Evolution over time

Immediately

Sharp bright-lemon burst

After a few hours

Lemon-verbena sharpness, herbal edge

After a few days

Mostly dissipated, faint oxidation products

The Full Story

Citral (CAS 5392-40-5) is two isomers: geranial and neral. 65-85% of lemongrass oil. The most directly lemony molecule in nature. Sharper than limonene, with verbena-like green-herbal edge.

Also the key starting material for ionone (violet) and vitamin A synthesis. Powerful but volatile and prone to oxidation.

Potential sensitizer limiting use in leave-on products.

Explore all seven extraits in the Discovery Set.

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Related: Candied Lemon · Citron · Finger Lime · Hatkora Lemon · Kaffir Lime · Lemon · Lemon Balm · Lemon Myrtle

Did You Know?

Did you know?

Citral is the starting point for manufacturing ionones (violet) and vitamin A. The path from lemon to violet goes through citral: chemical reactions transform this sharp citrus aldehyde into a warm, powdery ketone.

Extraction & Chemistry

Extraction method: Found at high levels in lemongrass, May Chang, verbena. Also produced synthetically.

Molecular Formula	C10H16O
CAS Number	5392-40-5
Botanical Name	N/A — naturally found in Cymbopogon citratus (lemongrass), Litsea cubeba (May Chang), Backhousia citriodora (lemon myrtle)
IFRA Status	Restricted — citral is a declared fragrance allergen under EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009. IFRA sets maximum use levels depending on product category.
Synonyms	3,7-DIMETHYL-2,6-OCTADIENAL · LEMONAL
Physical Properties
Appearance	Pale yellow clear liquid with strong lemon odor
Boiling Point	228.00 to 229.00 °C. @ 760.00 mm Hg
Flash Point	195.00 °F. TCC ( 90.00 °C. )
Specific Gravity	0.88500 to 0.89100 @ 25.00 °C.
Refractive Index	1.48600 to 1.49000 @ 20.00 °C.

In Perfumery

Top-note lemon modifier. CAS 5392-40-5. 65-85% of lemongrass oil. Sharpest lemon molecule. Also the starting material for ionone synthesis. Sensitization concerns limit leave-on use.