What Is Citronellol 700?
Citronellol 700 is a refined form of the well known terpene alcohol citronellol, first isolated from citronella oil toward the end of the nineteenth century in 1891. Over a century later it remains a staple building block for perfumers thanks to its balanced performance and renewable sourcing credentials.
Modern production begins with plant based feedstocks such as lemongrass, rose and geranium oils or other upcycled botanical by-products. Through careful distillation and purification these natural streams yield a high purity citronellol. Hydrogenation steps can be applied to tighten the isomer ratio which improves stability and colour. The result is a material that qualifies as natural derived, fully renewable, vegan and readily biodegradable.
At room temperature Citronellol 700 appears as a clear liquid that looks almost waterlike, sometimes showing a very slight straw tint if viewed against a white background. It pours easily, mixes well with most perfume solvents and stays transparent even when stored for long periods under the correct conditions.
Because it ticks sustainability boxes and performs reliably across many product types it is found everywhere from prestige fine fragrances to everyday soaps, shampoos and candles. Supply is steady and pricing is considered accessible rather than premium, so formulators can use it liberally without blowing their budget.
What Does Citronellol 700 Smell Like?
Most perfumers place Citronellol 700 in the floral family.
On a blotter the first impression is a fresh petal-like rose that feels natural and airy. Almost immediately a gentle green geranium nuance adds lift, keeping the profile from becoming overly sweet. A discreet citrus sparkle flickers in the background, giving the opening a clean brightness. As the minutes pass the material reveals a smooth waxy body that rounds off any harsh edges. Hours later it settles into a soft powdery veil that still whispers rose but in a quiet, comforting way.
In note structure terms it behaves mainly as a heart material. It shows medium presence in the top where its citrus facet flashes briefly, then anchors the heart with steady floral warmth and finally trails off with low influence in the base. This balance lets it bridge fresh opening accords with richer drydowns without dominating either stage.
Projection is moderate: it creates a pleasant floral aura without shouting across the room. Longevity on skin and fabric is impressive for a material of its volatility class, often detectable well past the 24 hour mark and on blotters for over two days.
How & Where To Use Citronellol 700
This is one of those easygoing materials that behaves itself on the bench. It pours cleanly, dissolves in alcohol without clouding and stays colour stable even in light coloured bases.
Perfumers reach for it whenever a natural looking rose or geranium tone is required but they want more control than raw essential oils allow. At low levels it lends a petal freshness that can brighten citrus tops or soften spicy openings. Push it higher and the waxy floral body grows, filling out the heart of feminine bouquets, modern fougères and soft orientals. In traditional rose accords it partners well with phenyl ethyl alcohol, geraniol, damascones and ionones, smoothing the blend and adding lift.
Because it has only a faint base presence it will not weigh down airy formulas, yet its >48 hour substantivity means soaps, shampoos and detergents keep a pleasant after-wash scent. It performs well in most household and personal care categories but shows weakness in highly acidic cleaners and chlorinated bleach where colour and odour can shift.
Typical use sits between trace levels and 5% of the concentrate for fine fragrance. Functional products sometimes go higher, occasionally up to 20% in fabric conditioners or solid soaps, while 50% remains the absolute upper technical limit quoted by the supplier. Smelled neat it feels sharp and citric; once diluted below 1% the citrus edge fades leaving a rounder rosy warmth.
No special prep is needed beyond the usual: weigh accurately, dilute in ethanol or dipropylene glycol for trials and store away from strong acids or oxidisers that could darken the material.
Safety Information
Working with aroma chemicals means taking sensible precautions to keep exposure low and handling safe.
- Always dilute before evaluation: create a 1-10% solution in ethanol or perfumer’s alcohol and smell from a blotter
- Never smell directly from the bottle: concentrated vapours can overwhelm the nose and mask subtle nuances
- Ensure good ventilation: a fume hood or open workspace prevents accidental inhalation of high concentrations
- Wear gloves and safety glasses: protects skin and eyes from accidental splashes or spills
- Health considerations: citronellol can cause skin irritation or trigger allergies in sensitive individuals; seek medical advice before use if pregnant or breastfeeding and avoid prolonged or high level exposure
For complete peace of mind always consult the latest Material Safety Data Sheet supplied with your batch, check it regularly for revisions and follow current IFRA guidelines for maximum permitted levels in each product category.
Storage And Disposal
When stored with a tight seal and minimal air space Citronellol 700 keeps its freshness for around two to three years. Some perfumers have stretched it to five years by using refrigeration but room temperature storage works well as long as the area stays cool and shaded.
Place bottles in a cabinet away from sunlight heaters and radiators. Light and heat accelerate oxidation which darkens the liquid and dulls the scent. Refrigeration slows that process even more though it is optional rather than required.
Choose bottles with polycone caps that screw down firmly. They make a better seal than glass droppers which often let air creep back in. For bench dilutions fill containers close to the top so less oxygen sits above the liquid.
Label every bottle with the material name batch date and any hazard icons printed large enough to read at a glance. Clear labels prevent mix ups and help you track age and inventory.
Citronellol 700 is readily biodegradable so small rinse water from pipettes or glassware can usually go down the drain with plenty of running water. For larger quantities absorb the liquid on inert material like sand or kitty litter and send it to a licensed chemical waste handler according to local rules. Never pour bulk material straight into sinks or onto soil.
Summary
Citronellol 700 is a renewable rose type aroma chemical with a touch of geranium greenery and a hint of citrus sparkle. Its smooth floral heart, good staying power and friendly price make it one of the most used building blocks in modern perfumery.
It can freshen a citrus top, round out bouquet hearts or give soaps and shampoos a clean rosy trail. Because it is stable in most bases and up to 50 percent of a formula there is plenty of room to play and discover new accords.
Popularity brings a few things to remember. Keep it cool and tightly sealed to avoid oxidation, watch for skin sensitisation limits in leave on products and pair it with deeper notes if you need more weight in the drydown. Treat those basics with respect and Citronellol 700 becomes a fun reliable ally that slots into countless styles from everyday detergents to high end fine fragrance.