What Is Citronellol 950?
Citronellol 950 is an aroma chemical belonging to the family of rose-smelling alcohols that perfumers rely on to build lifelike floral accords. It is offered by IFF, one of the largest names in the fragrance industry, yet other suppliers sell comparable grades under slightly different trade names. The 950 tag signals IFF’s own quality standard and traceable supply chain rather than a change in chemical identity.
The material starts life in nature-derived sources such as citronella or geranium oil. Through gentle refinement and fractional distillation the specific alcohol molecule is isolated then further purified until it reaches the high odour impact required for fine perfumery. Because the feedstocks are plant based and can be harvested year after year Citronellol 950 is classed as renewable, vegan suitable and readily biodegradable.
At room temperature the ingredient pours as a clear liquid that can show a hint of pale straw colour when held against white paper. It stays transparent and free-flowing even in a cool studio which makes weighing and blending straightforward.
Citronellol in all its grades is one of the true workhorses of modern perfumery so it is stocked by most fragrance houses. Bulk demand keeps the price in the affordable bracket which is why you will find it in luxury perfumes and everyday detergents alike.
When stored in a well-sealed aluminium or dark glass drum away from light and heat the material usually remains in spec for around two years though many perfumers keep it longer without noticeable loss of quality thanks to its low volatility.
Citronellol 950’s Scent Description
This ingredient sits firmly in the floral olfactory family with a signature that screams fresh rose. On a blotter the first impression is a bright dewy petal effect laced with hints of lemon zest that stop the rose from feeling old fashioned. Within a minute or two a rounded geranium leaf nuance pops up adding a soft green aspect while a faint waxy touch gives body and realism. As the hours pass a gentle powdery veil emerges that smooths the sharp edges and helps the note settle into skin scents.
Perfumers divide a fragrance into top notes that sparkle in the first ten to fifteen minutes, heart notes that shape the character for the next few hours and base notes that hang around the longest. Citronellol 950 plays mainly in the heart but its sparkle lets it contribute to the top as well. It does not have the weight of resinous bases so after the twelve-hour mark its presence fades, yet fabric and paper strips can still whisper rose for up to two days which shows how persistent it is for a floral alcohol.
Projection sits in the medium zone. It announces itself clearly within arm’s length then softens to a halo rather than a cloud, perfect when you want a natural, close-to-the-skin rose impression without overwhelming a room.
How & Where To Use Citronellol 950
Perfumers reach for Citronellol 950 whenever a clean true-to-nature rose effect is needed without the price tag or color of natural rose oil. It slots neatly into modern floral bouquets, classic rose soliflores and even fresh citrus colognes where a petal nuance lifts the zest.
The material shines as the backbone of a rose accord. Combine it with geraniol, phenyl ethyl alcohol and a dash of eugenol for a familiar pink-petal heart. Add small amounts of raspberry ketone or linalool if you want a lighter dewy take, or reinforce its waxy side with musks and ionones for a powdery vintage feel.
Citronellol 950 can also soften green notes. A touch alongside galbanum or cis-3-hexenol turns a sharp leafy accord into something more garden-like. In gourmand work it pairs well with vanilla and cocoa to mimic rosy Turkish delight facets, while in masculine fougères it supports lavender and coumarin for a refined barbershop warmth.
Typical formula levels run from trace amounts to about 5 %. The supplier states it can technically go as high as 50 %, yet that is rare outside simple rose bases meant for further dilution. At 0.1-0.5 % you get a light airy petal effect; at 1-3 % the note becomes clearly floral and slightly citrusy; above 5 % it can dominate, adding a fatty metallic edge that feels soapy and may clash with delicate top notes.
Use it freely in fine fragrance, shampoos, soaps, liquid or powder detergents and candles where its stability is rated good to excellent. In acid cleaners and bleach, performance drops sharply and the scent may degrade, so alternative materials like phenyl ethyl alcohol or synthetic rose ketones are often chosen instead.
Over-use carries risk of making a formula smell old-fashioned or overly cosmetic. Too much can also amplify potential skin sensitisation once the fragrance lands in leave-on products. For balance, layer it with fresher modifiers such as citronellyl nitrile or rose oxide, and cap the dosage to what IFRA and your brief allow.
No special equipment is needed beyond standard lab glassware. Pre-dilute to 10 % in ethanol or dipropylene glycol before weighing small amounts; this improves accuracy and makes the scent easier to judge on a blotter. Shake the raw material before use, then wipe the bottle top to avoid residue that can oxidise and skew future batches.
Safely Using Citronellol 950
Dilution is key. Always dilute Citronellol 950 before smelling so you can appreciate its character without overwhelming your nose. Avoid direct sniffing from the bottle because the high concentration can irritate mucous membranes. Work in a well-ventilated space to keep airborne levels low and wear disposable gloves plus safety glasses to protect skin and eyes.
Like many fragrance alcohols Citronellol 950 may cause irritation or trigger allergies in sensitive individuals, especially at higher doses or after repeated contact. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding consult a healthcare professional before handling any aroma chemical. Brief exposure to low dilutions is generally considered safe though prolonged or high-level contact can lead to headaches, dermatitis or respiratory discomfort.
Clean spills right away with paper towel followed by alcohol and dispose of waste in a sealed container. Never pour large volumes down the drain as this can upset water treatment systems despite its good biodegradability.
Stay informed. Review the latest safety data sheet supplied with your specific batch and check for updates each time you reorder since regulations and findings can change. Always design final products to comply with the current IFRA standard for citronellol content in the relevant application category.
How To Store & Dispose of Citronellol 950
Citronellol 950 stays freshest when kept cool and shielded from light. A dedicated fragrance fridge set at 4-10 °C slows oxidation but a normal shelf in a climate-controlled room also works as long as the bottle sits away from heaters or direct sun. Aim for a steady temperature since frequent swings encourage polymerisation and off notes.
Choose amber or aluminum containers fitted with polycone caps that form a tight seal. Dropper bottles look handy yet allow air to slip back in with every use, so reserve them for very small trial dilutions. Whenever possible top up part-filled bottles with inert gas or transfer the remainder to a smaller vial so there is minimal headspace.
Label every container clearly with the material name, CAS number, date of receipt and any hazard pictograms. For lab blends include the solvent ratio and concentration so there is no confusion later. Good labelling cuts waste by preventing accidental double dosing or disposal of an unknown liquid.
Store pre-made dilutions upright in a secondary plastic tray to catch leaks. Keep acids, bases, oxidisers or strong aromatics in separate cupboards because vapours cross-contaminate more easily than you might expect.
When the time comes to discard old stock decant usable liquid to colleagues or students first. The ingredient is readily biodegradable yet large quantities should still go to a licensed chemical waste handler. Small bench-scale residues can be wiped with paper towel, then the towel and gloves sealed in a solvent-resistant bag for collection. Rinse empty bottles with a little warm detergent solution before recycling glass or metal according to local rules.
Summary
Citronellol 950 is IFF’s high-purity take on the classic rose alcohol known for its bright geranium rose scent with a faint lemon twist. It gives lift and realism to floral hearts, smooths green accords and even sweetens gourmand ideas all at a cost that fits both prestige perfume and mass-market laundry care.
The material is stable for years if stored cool and tightly sealed, pours easily thanks to its low viscosity and shows strong performance in most bases except highly acidic cleaners or bleach. At modest levels it smells dewy and fresh while excessive doses can feel waxy or soapy so balance is key.
Its popularity stems from reliability, sustainable sourcing and a scent that most noses link instantly to real rose petals. Before working with it remember the usual safety basics, check the latest IFRA limits and watch for potential sensitisation in leave-on products.
Commercial quantities come direct from IFF through their sales network. Hobbyists and small brands can buy smaller packs from speciality fragrance suppliers or generic aroma chemical distributors that list it under the same CAS number. Wherever you source it, smart storage and thoughtful formulation will let this floral workhorse shine in your creations.