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Triethyl Citrate

Q: Is Triethyl Citrate natural or synthetic?

. Extraction: Produced synthetically by esterification of citric acid with ethanol. Simple, large-scale industrial production. Citric acid is produced by fermentation (Aspergillus niger), making the starting material bio-based..

POPULAR AND WEIRD / neutral · solvent · carrier

Triethyl Citrate

Category	POPULAR AND WEIRD
Subcategory	neutral · solvent · carrier
Origin
Volatility	Base Note
Botanical	N/A — synthetic ester
Appearance	Colorless oily liquid
Producing Countries	Synthesized worldwide
Pyramid	Base

Nearly odorless, faintly sweet. Triethyl citrate is a functional molecule — a plasticizer and fixative that improves fragrance performance without contributing scent.

Scent
The Full Story
Fun Fact
Extraction & Chemistry
In Perfumery

Scent

Essentially odorless. A very faint, barely perceptible sweet-ester quality if concentrated. No aromatic character. Functional ingredient.

Evolution over time

Immediately

No perceptible scent.

After a few hours

No olfactory evolution.

After a few days

Functional ingredient. No scent contribution.

The Full Story

Triethyl citrate (TEC, CAS 77-93-0, C₁₂H₂₀O₇) [A] is a synthetic ester — the triethyl ester of citric acid — used in fragrance as a fixative and solubiliser, in pharmaceuticals as a plasticiser for film coatings, and in food as an additive (E1505). It is nearly odourless, viscous, water-soluble in part, and stable at room temperature.

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Role in perfumery

TEC serves three functions: (1) extending the dry-down of volatile materials by slowing their evaporation; (2) helping disperse oily aroma materials into water-based or alcohol-based carriers; (3) acting as a less-flammable alternative to ethanol in some applications. It does not contribute meaningful aroma to the finished fragrance. TEC is one of the standard 'invisible' materials of modern fragrance formulation.

Sources & Notes

[A] PubChem CID 6506 — triethyl citrate, CAS 77-93-0, C₁₂H₂₀O₇. pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/6506.

Did You Know?

Did you know?

Triethyl citrate is the active ingredient in many 'natural' deodorants — it works by lowering the pH of skin and inhibiting Corynebacterium, the bacterial genus primarily responsible for the characteristic smell of underarm sweat. It is effective for approximately 8 hours per application.

Extraction & Chemistry

Extraction method: Produced synthetically by esterification of citric acid with ethanol. Simple, large-scale industrial production. Citric acid is produced by fermentation (Aspergillus niger), making the starting material bio-based.

Molecular Formula	C12H20O7
CAS Number	77-93-0
Botanical Name	N/A — synthetic ester
IFRA Status	No known restrictions
Synonyms	TEC · ETHYL CITRATE · CITRIC ACID TRIETHYL ESTER
Physical Properties
Appearance	Colorless oily liquid
Boiling Point	127.00 °C. @ 1.00 mm Hg
Flash Point	245.00 °F. TCC ( 118.33 °C. )
Specific Gravity	1.13500 to 1.13900 @ 25.00 °C.
Refractive Index	1.43200 to 1.44400 @ 20.00 °C.
Melting Point	-46.00 °C. @ 760.00 mm Hg

In Perfumery

Fixative, plasticizer, and deodorant base. Triethyl citrate improves fragrance longevity on skin and is a carrier in alcohol-free products. It has antimicrobial activity that makes it an effective deodorant active — it inhibits the bacteria responsible for body odor. Not a fragrance ingredient, but a formulation tool.