What Is Intreleven Aldehyde Special?
Intreleven Aldehyde Special is a modern aroma molecule introduced to the fragrance palette in 1998 after researchers isolated a distinctive aldehydic fraction while studying citrus by-products. It is produced through a gentle conversion of surplus food materials followed by careful purification, giving it a strong sustainability profile that fits today’s demand for greener ingredients.
The finished material appears as a clear to very slightly yellow liquid at room temperature, with a medium thickness that pours easily but is not overly watery. Because it is obtained from upcycled feedstocks and meets readily biodegradable criteria it enjoys popularity among brands looking to limit environmental impact.
Perfumers reach for Intreleven Aldehyde Special regularly, especially in fine fragrance and fabric care where its technical performance is reliable. Its price point sits comfortably in the mid range, making it accessible for commercial projects yet still valued enough to be handled with care in formulations.
Although stable in most fragrance bases it can lose punch in high-heat detergent powders, so its use there is limited. Overall it remains a versatile and dependable tool on the perfumer’s bench.
What Does Intreleven Aldehyde Special Smell Like?
Perfumers slot this material into the aldehydic family, the group known for sparkling clean notes that lift a composition.
On a blotter the first impression is a bright flash of airy citrus rind mixed with a cool sea breeze effect. Within seconds a fresh floral nuance emerges, reminiscent of early morning petals still carrying dew. As the minutes pass a soft ozone quality joins in, giving a subtle marine clarity rather than overt saltiness. The overall profile stays crisp and buoyant, never drifting into heavy or sweet territory.
Intreleven Aldehyde Special lives in the top note space, meaning it announces itself quickly then sets the stage for the heart of the perfume. Despite its top-heavy role it does not vanish right away. You can expect a clear presence for roughly two hours on a blotter before it quietly fades, leaving only a whisper of citrus clean musk.
Projection is moderate yet noticeable. It radiates a gentle halo that freshens a composition without shouting. When dosed thoughtfully it grants a fragrance an elegant lift and a sense of open air that many consumers interpret as modern cleanliness.
How & Where To Use Intreleven Aldehyde Special
This one is a pleasure to handle: it pours cleanly, blends fast and does not fight with other materials, so most perfumers consider it an easy friend on the bench.
Because its profile is airy citrus floral with a discreet marine lift it works best in the opening of a fragrance, either as a single bright accent or as part of an aldehydic top-note accord beside classics like Aldehyde C-12 MNA or C-11 undecylenic. You reach for it when you want sparkle without the waxy vintage feel that heavier aldehydes can bring. Its subtle ozone twist also makes it a natural partner for modern aquatic or “fresh linen” themes.
Typical dosage sits anywhere from a trace to around 2 percent in fine fragrance, climbing toward 4 to 5 percent in fabric conditioners or soaps where more lift is needed and skin exposure is brief. At very low levels it merely polishes the blend, adding a soft breath of air. Push it past 2 percent and the citrus-marine facet becomes obvious, almost cologne-like. Beyond 5 percent the note can feel sharp and may overshadow delicate florals, so test carefully.
Application wise it excels in perfumes, colognes, mists, liquid detergents and softeners. Heat and alkaline conditions found in spray-dried powder detergent can flatten it, so most formulators swap it out or keep the level extremely low in that format.
Preparation is simple: pre-dilute to 10 percent in ethanol or dipropylene glycol to make weighing and fine adjustments easier. No extra antioxidants or stabilisers are usually required thanks to its good stability profile in typical fragrance bases.
Safety Information
Certain precautions and considerations are needed whenever you work with this material to ensure a safe creative process.
- Always dilute before evaluation: prepare a solution in ethanol or another suitable solvent and smell the blotter, never sniff the raw liquid from the bottle.
- Ventilation: blend and smell in a well-ventilated space so vapours do not build up.
- Personal protective equipment: wear nitrile gloves and safety glasses to keep the liquid off skin and out of eyes.
- Health considerations: some aroma chemicals can irritate skin or trigger allergies. Brief exposure to low levels is generally safe but high or prolonged exposure may be harmful. Consult a doctor before handling if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
For complete and up-to-date guidance always review the supplier’s Safety Data Sheet and follow IFRA usage limits where applicable, checking back regularly for revisions.
Storage And Disposal
When kept in optimal conditions Intreleven Aldehyde Special remains in spec for roughly two to three years, with many users seeing little quality loss even after that. Refrigeration at 5-10 °C can stretch the life of the material further, though a simple cool dark cabinet away from direct sunlight and heat sources will satisfy most day-to-day needs.
Whether you are storing the neat product or a dilution always choose bottles that seal tightly. Polycone caps create a snug barrier that limits air ingress, while dropper tops tend to wick solvent and let oxygen creep in so avoid them. Aim to keep bottles as full as possible by transferring the liquid to smaller vessels as the level drops. Less headspace means less oxygen, which translates to slower oxidation and a fresher aldehydic impact when you reach for the bottle later.
Label every container clearly with the ingredient name batch date and any hazard icons taken from the Safety Data Sheet. This small step prevents mix-ups on the bench and gives you a quick reference when checking age or compliance requirements.
Disposal is straightforward thanks to the ingredient’s readily biodegradable profile. Small rinse quantities can typically go down the drain with plenty of running water unless local rules state otherwise. For larger volumes or contaminated stock hand the material to a licensed chemical waste contractor who can process it responsibly. Empty bottles should be triple rinsed then recycled or discarded per regional glass or plastic guidelines.
Store smart, seal tight, label well and disposal will never be a headache.
Summary
Intreleven Aldehyde Special is a naturally derived upcycled aldehyde that gives a bright citrus floral lift spiced with a breezy marine feel. It sits in the top of a composition adding fizz clarity and a touch of modern cleanliness. Perfumers use it in fine fragrance fabric softeners soaps and more, dosing lightly for polish or pushing higher for a crisp cologne-like effect.
Its popularity springs from an easy handling profile, mid-range cost and a sustainability story that meets current market values. Keep an eye on heat stability in powder detergents and remember that moderate air exposure can dull its sparkle over time. Beyond those points it is simply fun to work with, dovetailing into aldehydic, citrus, aquatic or fresh linen accords and inviting experimentation across a wide creative field.