What Is Citrathal Tech?
Citrathal Tech is a synthetic aroma chemical created by the Swiss flavour and fragrance house Givaudan. While Givaudan holds the trademark name, a few other suppliers offer comparable lemon-lime molecules sold under generic labels.
The material is produced through a streamlined chemical process that relies on fully renewable carbon sources. Thanks to the straightforward synthesis it avoids heavy solvents and sits on the favourable side of most green chemistry checklists.
At room temperature the ingredient appears as a clear yellow liquid with a medium viscosity that pours easily from a standard dropper bottle. The colour may deepen slightly over time yet this change does not affect performance.
Citrathal Tech is popular in fine fragrance, body care and household cleaning formulas because it gives an instant burst of realistic citrus that stays bright under tough pH conditions. It has also become a go-to material for soap makers who need a citrus note that survives the curing phase.
When stored in a cool dark place and kept tightly closed the material keeps its freshness for roughly two years. Compared with some natural citrus oils it is relatively affordable and its stability means less wastage during production.
Citrathal Tech’s Scent Description
This molecule sits squarely in the citrus olfactory family. On a blotter it opens with a sparkling hit of freshly squeezed lemon and juicy key lime. Within a few seconds a gentle sweetness emerges, reminiscent of lemon drop candy, while a soft leafy nuance keeps the profile natural rather than sugary.
The scent behaves as a classic top note. It announces itself quickly, delivers instant brightness then steps back to let middle and base notes shine. Despite being a top note it clings to paper longer than cold-pressed citrus oils, lingering for almost a day before fading to a faint lemonade whisper.
Projection is lively during the first half hour and easily radiates an arm’s length in an alcohol base. After the initial sparkle it settles close to the skin yet can still be detected for a few hours, giving perfumers a reliable citrus effect without the usual volatility of natural fruit peels.
How & Where To Use Citrathal Tech
Perfumers lean on Citrathal Tech when they need a clean citrus flash that will survive tough conditions. It excels in top note lifts for soaps, shampoos, detergents and air care where natural citrus oils tend to oxidise or fade too fast. The material also performs well in fine fragrance for opening a composition with an instant lemon-lime sparkle before handing the stage to mid and base notes.
At very low levels, traces up to 0.2%, it gives a gentle fresh pop that brightens florals, fruits or green accords without announcing itself as “citrus.” In the 0.5-2% range the lime facet becomes clearer and adds a happy soda-like quality that pairs nicely with ginger, mint or light musks. Higher dosages, 3-5%, push the lemon peel character forward and can replace part of a bergamot or cold-pressed lemon oil in Cologne structures. The manufacturer allows use up to 15%, though such high levels are usually limited to detergents and hard-surface cleaners where strong bloom is required.
Overuse can backfire. Above about 6% in a fine fragrance the note can smell sharp, synthetic or even solvent-like, crowding out subtler ingredients and shortening overall wear time. In soap bases an overdose may give an astringent household-cleaner nuance rather than a friendly citrus twist.
Citrathal Tech is soluble in alcohol, dipropylene glycol and most fragrance oils, so standard pre-dilution to 10% in ethanol or DPG is recommended for easier dosing and more even dispersion. Because it is stable in alkaline systems you can add it early in a detergent concentrate without worrying about degradation. In alcohol perfumes add it during the main blend phase then let the concentrate mature for at least 24 hours to smooth the opening.
It blends seamlessly with other citrus molecules like Citronellal, with floral allies such as Nerol or Hedione and with soft woods or white musks that extend its freshness. A touch of aldehydes or Iso E Super can help bridge the quick top note into longer-lasting radiance.
Safely Using Citrathal Tech
Dilution is key. Always prepare a working solution before evaluating the scent. Avoid direct sniffing from the bottle to keep vapors out of your nasal passages. Work in a well-ventilated space so airborne particles disperse quickly. Wear nitrile gloves and safety glasses to protect skin and eyes from accidental splashes.
Like many aroma chemicals, Citrathal Tech may cause skin irritation or, in rare cases, allergic reactions. Anyone who is pregnant or breastfeeding should speak with a healthcare professional before prolonged handling. Short exposure to low concentrations is generally considered safe yet extended contact or inhalation at high levels can be harmful.
Keep the material away from heat sources and spark-producing equipment, store it tightly sealed in a cool dark place and label all dilutions clearly. Dispose of unwanted concentrate through a licensed chemical waste service rather than pouring it down the drain, as the substance is not readily biodegradable and can be harmful to aquatic life.
Always consult the latest Safety Data Sheet provided by your supplier and revisit it regularly as details may change. Follow current IFRA guidelines for maximum usage levels in each product category to ensure both consumer safety and regulatory compliance.
How To Store & Dispose of Citrathal Tech
Keep the original container tightly closed and in a cool dark spot away from direct sunlight or any source of heat. A storage room held between 10 °C and 20 °C works well. Refrigeration is not essential yet it can slow oxidation and extend shelf life if you have the space.
Once you start making dilutions fit each bottle with a polycone cap. The cone presses against the neck and stops slow leaks that let air creep in. Avoid glass dropper bottles because their pipettes rarely seal fully and let the material evaporate or oxidise. Try to store Citrathal Tech in a container that is almost full so the headspace is small and contact with air is reduced.
Label every bottle clearly with the name Citrathal Tech, its CAS number, the dilution strength and date of preparation. Add basic hazard icons or wording that warns about skin irritation and aquatic harm. Good labelling reduces mix-ups and helps anyone in your workspace handle the material safely.
When a batch reaches the end of its useful life do not pour it down the sink. The ingredient is classed as non-biodegradable and can harm water organisms. Small hobby quantities can be soaked into cat litter or another inert absorbent then sealed in a sturdy bag and sent to a chemical drop-off site. Larger volumes should go through a licensed waste contractor who follows local regulations on hazardous liquids. Rinse empty bottles with a small amount of solvent, add the rinse to your waste container then recycle the clean glass or plastic where facilities allow.
Summary
Citrathal Tech is a Givaudan-made aroma chemical that brings a bright lemon and lime sparkle to a scent. It is loved for its clean fresh top note and its rare ability to survive high pH applications where natural citrus oils fail.
Perfumers use it to lift soaps, shampoos, detergents and fine fragrance openings. The material is moderately priced, easy to dissolve and chemically stable though its scent burns off quickly so it needs support from longer lasting notes.
Handling is straightforward but remember it can irritate skin and is not kind to aquatic life. Store it cool and tightly sealed, keep bottles full and choose polycone caps over droppers.
Commercial houses can order drums or kilos straight from Givaudan while hobbyists will find smaller volumes through specialist resellers or suppliers who offer the same molecule under a generic label using the shared CAS number 147060-73-9.