What Is Citronellyl Tiglate?
Citronellyl Tiglate is an aroma chemical belonging to the ester family that gives perfumers a soft fruity lift inside floral accords. The material sold under this name is produced by Symrise, although other suppliers also offer equivalent grades under generic names. It is obtained by reacting naturally derived citronellol with tiglic acid, a process called esterification that yields a highly pure finished product.
At room temperature it appears as a clear liquid that can look almost water-like or carry a faint yellow tint depending on storage conditions. The scent stays stable over time which makes it a dependable building block in a wide range of consumer products. When kept in a cool dark cupboard, the material easily retains its quality for around three to four years before any noticeable drop in freshness occurs.
The ingredient is widely used in fine fragrance but also shows up in functional items such as shampoos, soaps and scented candles. Its price usually sits in the mid range which lets both niche and larger brands incorporate it without stretching the budget.
Citronellyl Tiglate’s Scent Description
This molecule falls into the floral family on the perfumery wheel. On a fresh blotter the first impression is a juicy pear-apple note wrapped in soft petal warmth. Within seconds a sweet pea nuance rises, lending a dewy garden feel that keeps the fruity side from turning candy-like. As the scent settles, a powdery iris facet appears adding a touch of elegance and rounding off any sharp edges.
In the classic top, heart and base structure it sits firmly in the heart. It blooms a few minutes after application, bridges lively top notes with deeper bases and then fades in a smooth, seamless way. Projection is gentle rather than loud, giving a charming aura that stays close to the wearer. Expect the material to remain noticeable on skin or fabric for two to three hours, after which it quietly steps back allowing longer-lasting companions to take over.
How & Where To Use Citronellyl Tiglate
Perfumers reach for Citronellyl Tiglate when a floral accord needs an airy fruity lift without tipping into overt sweetness. It shines inside sweet pea and iris compositions where its soft pear aspect bridges green top notes with powdery florals. In a classic rose accord it lightens the bouquet, replacing heavier geranium facets with a fresher orchard feel. It also partners well with transparent musks, giving them a subtle blossom halo that feels modern and clean.
The material performs best in the heart of a formula at 0.5-3 percent of the concentrate. At trace levels it offers a barely there juiciness that rounds edges while staying invisible. Move toward 5 percent and the fruity character turns obvious, helping build apple or pear notes in shampoos and candles. Beyond that point it can dominate lighter flowers and flatten natural-smelling bouquets, so most perfumers keep it well below its stated maximum.
Citronellyl Tiglate tolerates heat and alkaline conditions, making it suitable for soaps, detergents and fabric softeners where more delicate esters would break down. In highly acidic cleaners its fruity facets can dull, so citrus-forward household products often call for brighter alternatives like Citronellyl Acetate. It resists discoloration in candles and melts cleanly into most wax blends, though testers should check cold throw after 48 hours to be sure the floral nuance remains intact.
Over-use risks include a cloying pear syrup effect and loss of transparency in blooming florals. If a trial blend starts to feel heavy or overly sweet, trimming Citronellyl Tiglate by even 0.2 percent often restores balance. Layering with crisp benzyl acetate or a leafy hexenal can also counteract thickness without sacrificing volume.
Prep work is simple. Make a 10 percent solution in ethanol or dipropylene glycol for easy weighing, then add it during the mid-phase of compounding. The liquid is thin so a syringe or micropipette helps avoid spills. Clean glassware promptly; although readily biodegradable, its oily feel can linger on equipment if left to dry.
Safely Information
Working with any fragrance raw material calls for sensible precautions and Citronellyl Tiglate is no exception.
- Always dilute before evaluation: create a 10 percent or lower solution before smelling to avoid overwhelming the nose
- Never sniff from the bottle: direct inhalation exposes the respiratory system to a high concentration that can cause discomfort
- Ensure good ventilation: blend or weigh the material under a fume hood or near an open window to disperse vapors
- Wear gloves and safety glasses: the liquid can irritate skin or eyes so a basic barrier keeps contact to a minimum
- Health considerations: some aroma chemicals provoke irritation or allergic reactions, brief low-level exposure is generally safe but prolonged or high-dose contact can be harmful, anyone pregnant or breastfeeding should consult a medical professional before handling
For peace of mind always review the latest supplier Safety Data Sheet and check it regularly for updates. Follow current IFRA recommendations on allowable levels in each product category to ensure your creations remain both compliant and pleasant to wear.
How To Store & Dispose of Citronellyl Tiglate
Citronellyl Tiglate keeps its sparkle longest when stored in a cool dark cupboard where temperatures stay below 20 °C. A refrigerator is even better if you have the space, though it is not essential. Whether chilled or not, always shield the bottle from direct sunlight and sources of heat as both speed up oxidation and dull the fruity floral tone.
Use airtight glass bottles fitted with polycone caps for both neat material and any dilutions. These caps press snugly against the neck and prevent slow vapor loss that often occurs with dropper tops or standard screw lids. Keep each bottle as full as possible; topping up with clean inert gas or transferring remaining liquid into a smaller container reduces the air gap and lowers the risk of degradation.
Label every container clearly with the ingredient name, concentration, date of bottling and basic hazard icons so anyone who handles your stock knows what is inside at a glance. Store acids, bases and strong oxidizers on a different shelf to avoid accidental cross contamination.
Because the molecule is readily biodegradable small rinse residues from glassware can go down the drain with plenty of running water unless local rules say otherwise. Larger quantities, expired stock or spills should be collected in a sealed container and handed to a licensed chemical disposal company or a municipal household hazardous waste center. Never pour bulk liquid into soil or open waterways.
Wipe spills promptly with an absorbent pad then wash the area with warm soapy water. Used pads or paper towels must join your chemical waste stream rather than regular trash. Good housekeeping now avoids stubborn floral odors later.
Summary
Citronellyl Tiglate is a Symrise ester that slips a juicy pear apple accent into floral hearts while maintaining a delicate sweet pea and iris feel. It bridges fresh top notes with powdery bases, excels between 0.5 and 5 percent of a formula and stands up to the heat and alkalinity found in soaps, detergents and candles.
Perfumers like its moderate cost, solid shelf life and easy blending nature though overuse can push a syrupy edge. The clear liquid stays stable for several years when kept cool and tightly sealed plus it is biodegradable which simplifies cleanup.
Commercial houses buy it direct from Symrise or larger distributors. Smaller labs, hobbyists and indie brands can find repackaged lots or equivalent generic grades from specialty resellers in volumes as small as 5 ml, making this versatile fruity floral helper accessible to nearly everyone experimenting with scent.