What Is Citral N?
Citral N is a high-purity form of citral, a key molecule first reported in the late 1800s when chemists studying lemongrass oil managed to isolate its main scent component. Today manufacturers obtain it by two routes. The first is fractional distillation of essential oils such as lemongrass or litsea cubeba. The second is an efficient chemical process that links small building-block molecules from plant-derived feedstocks, giving a material that is chemically identical to the natural one.
At room temperature Citral N is a clear liquid that can appear almost water-white or carry a faint lemon-tinted hue. It pours easily and has a low viscosity, so it handles well in the lab or plant. Most fragrance houses keep it in stock because it anchors many fresh accords and serves as a starting point for other aroma molecules. Thanks to large-scale production methods the material is widely available and sits in the lower cost bracket, which is why you will find it in everything from fine fragrance to everyday toiletries.
The product offered under the “N” tag meets a minimum purity of 96 percent, mainly a balanced mix of the isomers neral and geranial. This high assay translates into predictable performance batch after batch, which is critical for consistent perfume creation. While the molecule is quite stable inside sealed drums it does react when exposed to air, strong bases or direct sunlight, so careful handling is advised. Right out of the container it flows as a colorless liquid with a flash point just under 100 °C, making it easy to ship under standard flammable-liquid guidelines.
What Does Citral N Smell Like?
Perfumers group Citral N under the citrus family. Off a blotter the first impression is a bright juicy lemon note, followed by a zesty freshness that hints at crushed lime peel and a whisper of sweet mandarin. Hidden beneath the sparkle is a soft leafy nuance that keeps the profile natural rather than candy-like.
When we talk about perfume structure we split it into top, middle and base notes. Top notes are the lightest molecules that rise first when the fragrance is applied, middle notes form the heart and base notes are the slowest to evaporate, adding lasting power. Citral N sits firmly in the top tier. It lifts off the paper within seconds and sets the stage for whatever follows.
Projection is strong at the start so the material easily pushes out of the blend, giving an immediate citrus lift. Because it is volatile the vivid lemon effect fades within 30 to 45 minutes on skin or a few hours on paper. Longevity can be stretched a little by pairing it with fixatives or embedding it in a thicker accord but on its own it remains a short-lived top note. Perfumers see this as an advantage when designing modern fresh signatures where they want a punchy opening that gracefully steps aside for the heart of the fragrance.
How & Where To Use Citral N
Citral N is one of those materials that makes a perfumer’s day a little brighter. It pours easily, weighs out quickly and rewards even a tiny splash with an instant hit of lemon sunshine.
In formula work it usually leads the top note. A few parts per thousand electrify bergamot, grapefruit or yuzu accords. At 1-3 % it becomes the backbone of a true lemon fantasy, pairing well with limonene, petitgrain and a drop of citronellal for acidity. When you need a sharp realistic zest that cuts through sweetness this is the molecule you reach for over softer aldehydes like citralva or aldehyde C-8.
The material shines in fine fragrance, shampoos, shower gels and candles where a fresh opening is welcome. It is less happy in high-pH cleaners or bleach formulations because alkalinity speeds up degradation and off-odors. Detergent powders can dull its sparkle unless it is encapsulated.
Because it is powerful the perception changes with dose. Below 0.2 % you get a delicate lemon peel nuance. Around 1 % the note turns juicy and mouth-watering. Push it past 5 % and the sweetness recedes, revealing a greener almost lemongrass edge that can overwhelm lighter florals. The manufacturer lists an upper limit of 25 % but most compositions stay well under that to keep the opening balanced.
Prep work is minimal: store the drum tightly closed, add a touch of antioxidant if it will sit on the shelf, and make a 10 % ethanol or dipropylene glycol dilution for easy weighing. Purge the headspace with nitrogen after each use to slow oxidation. Follow these steps and Citral N will stay clear and bright until the last drop.
Safety Information
Handling Citral N calls for a few sensible precautions to keep your workspace and yourself protected.
- Always dilute before evaluating: prepare a 10 % or weaker solution in a suitable solvent before taking a sniff strip
- Never smell directly from the bottle: headspace concentration can be harsh on the nose and may cause irritation
- Work in a well-ventilated area: good airflow keeps vapor levels low and reduces inhalation risk
- Wear gloves and safety glasses: the material is classified Skin Irrit. 2 and Eye Irrit. 2 so barrier protection is essential
- Be aware of sensitisation potential: Citral N is listed Skin Sens. 1 meaning repeated contact can cause allergic reactions in susceptible individuals
- Health considerations: if you are pregnant or breastfeeding consult a medical professional before prolonged work and avoid high-level exposure
Always consult the latest Safety Data Sheet supplied by your vendor and check it regularly for updates. Adhere to current IFRA guidelines for maximum concentration limits in each product category to ensure safe compliant use.
Storage And Disposal
Unopened drums of Citral N stay in spec for roughly two years when kept in ideal warehouse conditions. Once the seal is broken you can expect about 12 to 18 months of prime quality but careful handling often stretches that to the full two-year mark.
Refrigeration is optional yet helpful. A shelf in the laboratory fridge at 4 °C slows oxidation and color change, though a regular cool dark cupboard works fine as long as temperatures stay below 25 °C. Keep the bottle out of direct sunlight and away from hot equipment.
Fit containers with polycone caps, which squeeze into the neck and cut off air exchange far better than standard screw lids or glass droppers. Dropper bottles look neat but the loose fit lets oxygen creep in and speeds up degradation. After every use top the bottle with nitrogen if available and try to store the liquid in a container that is at least 90 % full to minimise headspace.
Dilutions deserve the same care. Use fresh solvent, avoid plastics that can leach or absorb scent and always close the cap tight. Adding a tiny 0.05 % dose of BHT or tocopherol provides extra antioxidant protection for long-term blends.
Label everything clearly with the material name, batch number, date opened and the hazard pictograms for skin and eye irritation. Good labelling avoids costly mix-ups and keeps everyone safe.
For disposal, small test amounts can be blended with an absorbent such as sand or kitty litter then placed in a sealed bag for municipal chemical waste collection. Larger volumes should go to a licensed disposal contractor. Citral N is readily biodegradable under aerobic conditions but its high odor strength and irritant profile make direct release to drains inadvisable. Rinse empty containers with a little solvent, collect the washings for disposal and recycle the clean metal or glass according to local rules.
Summary
Citral N is a high-purity lemon-smelling aldehyde that has powered citrus accords since the earliest days of modern perfumery. On a blotter it bursts with bright juicy lemon zest drifting into a gentle leafy facet then fades to let the heart of the fragrance shine.
Because it is affordable, easy to blend and instantly recognisable, perfumers slip it into everything from fine fragrance to soaps and candles. A few drops lift bergamot or grapefruit while a higher dose builds a full-on lemonade fantasy.
Keep an eye on its sensitivity to air, light and high pH, yet beyond that it is a fun versatile building block that rewards creative dosing. With good storage practice and sensible safety measures Citral N remains one of the most popular weapons in the aroma chemical toolkit.