What Is Citronellyl Nitrile? Applications, Dosage, Alternatives & Specifications

Citronellyl Nitrile, also known as 3,7-Dimethyl-6-octenenitrile, is a monoterpene nitrile compound and an important category in the synthetic flavor and fragrance industry, with wide application value. Its molecular formula is C10H17N, molecular weight is 151.25, CAS number is 51566–62–2, and EINECS number is 257–288–8. Citronellyl Nitrile appears as a colorless to pale yellow clear liquid with a strong, fresh lemon-like fruity aroma, green vegetable-like notes, and earthy undertones. The aroma is natural and powerful, with long-lasting retention. As a high-performance synthetic fragrance ingredient, Citronellyl Nitrile exhibits superior stability to heat, light, and acids/alkalis compared to citronellal, with a more mellow, persistent, and radiant aroma. Citronellyl Nitrile was first introduced to the fragrance market in the late 1960s when chemists were searching for stable citrus notes that could withstand soaps and detergents. It is produced via a multi-step synthetic route starting from citronellal extracted from natural citronella oil. Citronellyl Nitrile is widely used in perfumes, cosmetics, soaps, detergents, air fresheners, and personal care products. It is an indispensable fragrance ingredient in many accord types such as citrus, cologne, lavender, gardenia, and magnolia. Citronellyl Nitrile does not occur in nature and must be produced by chemical synthesis.

Appearance: Colorless to pale yellow clear liquid.

Molecular Formula and Molecular Weight: C10H17N, molecular weight 151.25.