| Citral | |
|---|---|
 |
|
 |
|
| IUPAC name |
3,7-dimethylocta-2,6-dienal
|
| Other names | citral geranial neral geranialdehyde |
| Identifiers | |
| CAS number | 5392-40-5 |
| RTECS number | RG5075000 |
| SMILES |
O=CC=C(C)CCC=C(C)C
|
| Properties | |
| Molecular formula | C10H16O |
| Molar mass | 152.24 g/mol |
| Appearance | Pale yellow liquid |
| Odor | Lemon like |
| Density | 0.893 g/cm³, liquid |
| Boiling point |
229 °C |
| Hazards | |
| R-phrases | R36, R37, R38 |
| NFPA 704 |
 1
0
0
|
| Flash point | 91 °C |
| Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa) | |
| Infobox references | |
Citral, or 3,7-dimethyl-2,6-octadienal or lemonal, is either of, or a mixture of, a pair of terpenoids with the molecular formula C10H16O. The two compounds are double bond isomers. The E-isomer is known as geranial or citral A. The Z-isomer is known as neral or citral B.
Geranial has a strong lemon odor. Neral has a lemon odor that is less intense, but sweeter. Citral is therefore an aroma compound used in perfumery for its citrus effect. Citral is also used as a flavor and for fortifying lemon oil. It also has strong anti-microbial qualities[1], and pheromonal effects in insects.[2][3]
Citral is used in the synthesis of vitamin A, ionone, and methylionone, and to mask the smell of smoke.
Citral is present in the oils of several plants, including lemon myrtle (90-98%), Listsea citrata (90%), Litsea cubeba (70-85%), lemongrass (65-85%), lemon tea-tree (70-80%), Ocimum gratissimum (66.5%), Lindera citriodora (approx. 65%), Calypranthes parriculata (approx. 62%), petitgrain (36%), Lemon verbena (30-35%), Lemon ironbark (26%), lemon balm (11%), lime (6-9%), lemon (2-5%), and orange.[4][5][6]
Contents |
Health and safety information
Citral should be avoided by people with perfume allergy.[7]
See also
References
Footnotes
- ^ Onawunmi, G.O. (1989) Evaluation of the antimicrobial activity of citral. Lett. Appl. Microbial. 9, 105-108.
- ^ Kuwahara, Y., Suzuki, H., Matsumoto, K. & Wada, Y. (1983) Pheromone study on acarid mites. XI. Function of mite body as geometrical isomerization and reduction of citral (the alarm pheromone) Carpoglyphus lactis. Appl. Entomol. Zool. 18, 30-39.
- ^ Robacker, D.C. & Hendry, L.B. (1977) Neral and geranial: components of the sex pheromone of the parasitic wasp, Itoplectis conquisitor, J. Chem. Ecol. 3, 563-577.
- ^ Fenaroli, G., Furia, T.E., Bellanca, N., Handbook of Flavor Ingredients, ISBN 0878195327
- ^ Lawless, J., The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils, ISBN 1-85230-661-0
- ^ The Aromatic Plant Project
- ^ Survey and health assessment of chemical substances in massage oils
General references
- MSDS [1]
External links
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