What Is Citrylal?
Citrylal is a synthetic aroma chemical created to capture the crisp brightness of fresh lime. It was first introduced by the German fragrance house Symrise, though several ingredient brokers now offer their own generic versions with matching purity and odour profile.
Chemically, Citrylal is an acetal produced by reacting citral with a light alcohol under controlled acidic conditions. This process locks the lively citrus character of citral into a more stable molecule that is easier to work with in perfumery and in household products.
At room temperature the material appears as a clear liquid that may take on a pale straw tone over time. It pours easily, has a low flash point of about 21 °C, and gives off a zesty aroma even from a closed container.
Citrylal is widely used by fragrance compounding labs, so it is usually in stock at most raw material distributors. When stored cool and tightly sealed it keeps its quality for roughly two to three years before the scent begins to thin out. The ingredient is considered affordable, sitting in the middle of the price range for citrus notes which makes it attractive for both fine fragrance and cost sensitive cleaning formulas.
Because it does not occur in nature and is only partly biodegradable Symrise formulates it to meet modern safety standards, allowing it to be employed in everything from high-end eau de parfum to everyday detergent without complicated handling requirements.
Citrylal’s Scent Description
Citrylal belongs to the broad citrus family. Smelled on a blotter it opens with a burst of fresh squeezed lime, quickly unfolding into a juicier lemon-lime sherbet nuance. Beneath that sparkle sits a mild fruity sweetness reminiscent of green apple flesh, while a barely-there pine whisper adds lift and definition.
Perfumers speak of top, middle and base notes to describe how a fragrance unfolds over time. Top notes give the immediate first impression, middle notes form the heart, and base notes linger longest. Citrylal is firmly a top note booster. It flashes off rapidly, lending an instant lime twist then stepping back so other materials can shine.
Projection is assertive during the first minutes, making the ingredient ideal for catching attention at the first spray or wash. Longevity is moderate for a citrus molecule. On scent strips it maintains a detectable presence for about an hour, on skin or fabric it tends to fade within two or three hours unless fixed by heavier materials.
How & Where To Use Citrylal
Citrylal shines when a formula needs an immediate splash of lime that feels natural yet remains cost effective. Perfumers often reach for it to lift a tired citrus accord or to give an otherwise sweet fragrance a sparkling top that cuts through the sugar. Its clean fruity tone bridges classic lemon notes with greener facets, making it a smart choice when straight citral feels too sharp or aldehydes too soapy.
In fine fragrance it is normally dosed between 0.2 % and 3 %. At trace levels it simply brightens an existing citrus bouquet. Push it toward 5 % and the opening becomes distinctly mojito-like. Household products tolerate far higher concentrations, sometimes up to 10 % or even the manufacturer’s suggested 20 % for strong lime themed detergents or toilet cleaners.
Perception changes with dosage. Low levels give a diffusive lemon-lime sparkle. Mid levels add mouth-watering juiciness. Very high levels can read as synthetic, even plasticky, and may clash with delicate florals. Because it evaporates quickly a modest amount often suffices, especially when supported by longer-lasting partners such as Citronellal, Litsea Cubeba oil or Cedryl acetate.
Citrylal pairs well with mint, basil and coriander for a vibrant herbal top. In coniferous blends it fuses seamlessly with pine and fir notes, sharpening the green edges without turning the accord sour. It is less convincing in gourmand bases heavy on vanilla where its brisk acidity can feel out of place.
Over-use carries two main risks: olfactory imbalance and regulatory limits linked to skin sensitisation. If the top becomes too loud the heart of the perfume may feel hollow. Always build the citrus accord in stages, smelling on a blotter between additions to avoid overshooting the sweet spot.
Prep work is simple. Because of the 21 °C flash point store it in a cool cabinet and keep ignition sources away. Pre-diluting to 10 % in ethanol or dipropylene glycol makes weighing easier and reduces the chance of spillage. Shake the container before every use to redistribute any micro-precipitates that can form after long storage.
Safety Information
Working with Citrylal is straightforward yet a few precautions ensure both personal safety and formula integrity.
- Always dilute before evaluation: make a 10 % solution in a neutral carrier so the nose is not overwhelmed and off notes are easier to judge
- Do not smell directly from the bottle: sniffing concentrated vapors can cause temporary anosmia and eye irritation
- Ventilation: blend in an area with good airflow to prevent buildup of volatile citrus fumes that may trigger headaches
- Personal protective equipment: wear nitrile gloves and safety glasses to keep the material off skin and out of eyes
- Health considerations: some people react to citrus-type chemicals so monitor for redness or itching, avoid prolonged skin contact, and consult a physician before use if pregnant or breastfeeding
- Exposure limits: brief low-level contact is generally regarded as safe but high concentrations or extended exposure can lead to respiratory or dermal irritation
For complete peace of mind always consult the latest safety data sheet supplied by your distributor and review it regularly as revisions do occur. Follow current IFRA guidelines for maximum levels in each product category to keep formulas both compliant and consumer friendly.
How To Store & Dispose of Citrylal
Good storage habits keep Citrylal fresh and safe to handle. A cool dark cupboard works for most users, although a fridge set above freezing can add a few extra months of shelf life. Always keep the bottle away from direct sunlight heaters or any spark source, as the low flash point makes the liquid fairly easy to ignite.
Minimise contact with air by filling containers to the neck. Less headspace means less oxygen and slower oxidation so the aroma stays bright. Polycone caps give the best seal for both neat material and dilutions. Skip dropper bottles because their rubber bulbs let air creep in and can leach odour that taints the content.
If you decant or dilute, label every vessel right away with the name Citrylal the date of filling and key safety notes such as “Flammable, avoid skin contact.” Clear legible labels prevent mix-ups and speed any future safety check.
Citrylal is classed as partly biodegradable, which means it breaks down in the environment but not as fast as natural citrus oils. Small hobby-scale leftovers can be wiped up with paper towels then disposed of in household trash once fully dry. Larger volumes should go to a local hazardous waste drop-off or be handed to a licensed disposal firm. Never pour it down the drain, as concentrated citrus solvents can stress water treatment systems and cause strong odours.
Rinse empty bottles with a little alcohol, let them air dry, then recycle if local rules allow glass or HDPE. Follow regional fire codes when storing or discarding any solvent-soaked cloths.
Summary
Citrylal is a synthetic lime booster from Symrise that delivers a sharp juicy citrus kick without the price swings of natural oils. It smells like squeezed lime with a hint of lemon sherbet and light fruity sweetness making it a fast-acting top note for fine fragrance, soaps and cleaners.
The ingredient enjoys steady popularity because it is easy to blend fairly stable for a citrus material and sits in the mid cost bracket. Its strength lies in clear lime accords yet it can feel out of place in heavy vanilla gourmands or very warm resin bases.
Handled with simple care—cool storage full bottles tight caps—it keeps quality for up to three years. Disposal is straightforward once the small fire risk is respected.
Commercial buyers can source Citrylal directly from Symrise or large aroma brokers, while hobbyists will find smaller packs and generic equivalents at specialty fragrance suppliers online. Whether you need a splash for a test batch or kilos for a detergent run this bright citrus note is usually one click or one phone call away.