What Is Iso Cyclo Citral?
Iso Cyclo Citral is an aroma molecule first brought to the fragrance market in the mid-1960s. It belongs to the family of aldehydic terpene derivatives that chemists developed while exploring new green notes for modern perfumery.
The material is produced through a controlled chemical synthesis that starts with naturally sourced citral then runs through several catalytic steps to “fold” the molecule into its more compact isomer. The result is classed as a synthetic ingredient even though its raw feedstock is plant-based.
At room temperature you will see a clear liquid that can take on a very faint straw tint if it has been stored for a long time. It pours easily and integrates well into both alcohol and oil bases which makes it simple for a perfumer to weigh and blend.
In a typical fragrance lab Iso Cyclo Citral is found on almost every blotter strip during the sketch stage. It is widely used because a small dose gives an instant sense of freshness. The price point sits in the lower-to-middle bracket so it is affordable for fine fragrance while still economical for soaps, candles and fabric conditioners.
The molecule is certified suitable for vegan formulas. One downside is that it does not readily break down in the environment, something formulators keep in mind when designing rinse-off products.
What Does Iso Cyclo Citral Smell Like?
Perfumers file Iso Cyclo Citral under the green family.
Off a blotter it opens with a crisp leafy snap that feels like crushing young vine leaves between your fingers. There is a flash of lemony brightness followed by a cool breeze of garden-fresh stems that hints at hyacinth and sweet pea without turning overtly floral. The profile stays lean and sharp rather than sweet which lets it cut through heavier notes and lift the whole composition.
In the classic perfume pyramid we talk about top middle and base notes. Iso Cyclo Citral sits mainly in the top zone with a reach into the early heart. Its vapor pressure is moderate so it does not vanish instantly yet it is not heavy enough to settle in the base.
Projection is lively in the first hour giving a clear aura around the wearer. Longevity on skin is moderate at roughly two to three hours before it quiets down leaving space for heart notes to shine.
How & Where To Use Iso Cyclo Citral
This is an easy going material that behaves well on the blotter and in the beaker. It blends smoothly without the fuss of clumping or clouding so most perfumers enjoy having it on the bench.
Iso Cyclo Citral shines when you need a quick leafy snap at the top of a perfume. Reach for it to freshen fougère builds, sharpen floral greens like hyacinth or sweet pea or cut through syrupy citrus blends that feel too sweet. It also teams up with galbanum or cis-3-hexenol to make a modern garden accord while staying less pungent than those two powerhouses.
In fine fragrance the usual dose sits around 0.1 to 1 percent of the total formula though you can push to 3 percent in bold sports scents. A mere trace can still perk up a delicate bouquet. Above 5 percent the note dominates and may turn harsh so most brands set that as an upper check.
At low levels you get a zesty lemon-leaf sparkle. Raise the concentration and the stem-green facet gets louder and drier which can read slightly herbal. Very high levels introduce a faint plastic edge that limits its use in powders and detergents where heat and pH can magnify off notes.
The molecule holds up beautifully in alcohol, oil and most surfactant bases. It is very good in fine fragrance and excellent in soaps and fabric conditioners, yet it performs poorly in high temperature powder detergent lines where it tends to flash off during drying.
No special prep is needed beyond standard dilution. A 10 % solution in ethanol or dipropylene glycol gives a handy working strength for most lab trials. Keep pipettes and glassware clean because even a tiny residue can over-green a delicate floral test.
Safely Information
When working with Iso Cyclo Citral some straightforward precautions help keep the lab safe and comfortable.
- Always dilute before smelling: prepare a 10 % or weaker solution on a blotter to avoid an overwhelming hit of vapor.
- Never smell from the bottle: headspace can be much stronger than expected and may irritate the nose or throat.
- Work in a well ventilated area: good airflow prevents build up of fumes that could cause dizziness or headache.
- Wear gloves and safety glasses: contact with neat material may cause redness or eye sting so basic protective gear is wise.
- Health considerations: some people experience skin irritation or sensitisation. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding consult a medical professional before handling. Short low level exposure is generally safe yet long or concentrated contact can be harmful.
Always review the latest Material Safety Data Sheet from your supplier and check it often since updates do occur. Follow current IFRA guidelines for maximum use levels to ensure every formula remains safe for both perfumer and consumer.
Storage And Disposal
Unopened drums or bottles of Iso Cyclo Citral normally give reliable performance for three to four years. Once a container is opened you can still expect around two years of good quality if you treat it with care.
Cool temperatures slow down oxidation. A fridge set between 4 °C and 10 °C is ideal though not compulsory. A cupboard in a climate-controlled room works too as long as the spot is dark and never gets hot from direct sun or radiators.
Use bottles with tight polycone caps for both neat material and working dilutions. These caps press against the lip and block sneaky air leaks far better than dropper tops. Each time you draw from the bottle top it up with inert gas or decant to a smaller vessel so the headspace stays minimal.
Store stock solutions away from acids bases or strong oxidisers. Keep glassware clean and dry because traces of water or soap can speed up degradation.
Label every bottle with the INCI or common name, date opened, strength of dilution and any hazard phrases. Clear labels help anyone in the lab grab the right item and follow safety rules.
Spills can be wiped with paper then put in a sealable bag for chemical waste. Never rinse Iso Cyclo Citral down the sink. It is classed as non-biodegradable so it should go to a licensed disposal facility that can handle aromatic organics. Small leftovers can be absorbed onto clay granules or kitty litter then disposed of as hazardous solid waste following local regulations.
Summary
Iso Cyclo Citral is a classic green aldehydic note that smells like snapped vine leaves with a hint of lemon zest. A dash perks up fougères, floral greens and sporty colognes while higher levels carve out a bold stemmy edge.
It is simple to blend, friendly on the budget and stays stable in most alcohol, oil and soap bases. Just watch out for its poor showing in hot powder detergents and remember it is not biodegradable when planning rinse-off lines.
For any perfumer the molecule is a fun tool that can lift heavy accords or create a modern garden vibe on its own. Handle it with basic safety gear, store it cool and tightly closed and it will reward you with crisp freshness session after session.