What Is Lemonile?
Lemonile is a synthetic aroma chemical created for use in fine fragrance, home scenting and personal care. It belongs to a group of materials known as nitriles, a small family of very powerful citrus ingredients.
The material was developed by Givaudan, one of the largest flavour and fragrance houses in the world. While Givaudan holds the trade name, other suppliers often carry generic versions listed simply under the CAS number 61792-11-8.
Production takes place through classic organic synthesis, starting from a terpene precursor that is converted to a nitrile. This route gives a highly stable molecule with consistent quality from batch to batch.
At room temperature Lemonile is a clear, water–white liquid that pours easily. It does not crystallise in a normal lab or studio setting, so it is simple to weigh and blend.
Perfumers reach for Lemonile whenever they need a bright, long lasting lemon effect. It shows up in everything from modern eaux de toilette to shower gels and scented candles. Because only traces are needed for impact a single kilo goes a very long way, keeping the overall cost of use low even though the raw material itself sits in the mid-priced tier.
When stored in a cool, dark place and kept tightly closed the ingredient keeps its strength for roughly two to three years. After that the citrus sparkle slowly fades yet the material remains usable in cleaning or technical scents.
Lemonile’s Scent Description
The ingredient falls squarely into the citrus family, and more precisely the lemon sub-category.
Off a blotter it opens with an intense burst of freshly grated lemon zest backed by the sweet greenness of lemon verbena. Within a few minutes a soft lime nuance appears, adding lift and a mouth-watering juiciness. Underneath the obvious freshness there is a subtle metallic twang that helps the note shine through complex blends.
In perfumery we talk about top, middle and base notes. Tops are what you notice first, middles form the heart and bases linger longest. Lemonile lives at the top yet it clings on far longer than natural lemon oil, making it a handy bridge into the heart of a composition.
Projection is bold in the opening then settles into a bright aura that stays detectable for hours. On a standard blotter the smell is still clear after three weeks, far exceeding the life of most natural citrus materials.
How & Where To Use Lemonile
Perfumers reach for Lemonile whenever they need a bright lemon impact that survives beyond the opening fanfare. It shines in modern colognes, fougères, sporty florals and any functional fragrance that must battle high pH, such as bar soap or detergent. A few drops deliver far more persistence than natural lemon oil, so the material often anchors the top of an accord while reducing reliance on costly citrus extracts.
Usage levels usually sit between 0.05 % and 0.5 % in fine fragrance, climbing to 1 % or even 5 % in robust cleaning products where longevity is critical. At very low concentrations it reads as airy lemon peel with a verbena twist. Push it higher and the note turns bracing, almost metallic, which can dominate delicate florals or musks. Because projection is strong a small overdose quickly flattens a formula, stripping nuance from other top notes.
Lemonile pairs especially well with citral, litsea cubeba, limette, eucalyptus citriodora and green galbanum to build sparkling hesperidic chords. It also freshens lavender, rosemary and petitgrain while lending focus to aquatic bases. The material is less helpful in gourmand or heavy amber creations where its laser-bright profile can feel out of place.
Before weighing, some perfumers pre-dilute Lemonile to 10 % in ethanol or dipropylene glycol. This step improves measuring accuracy and prevents the sudden splash that can happen when pouring neat material. Because the molecule is stable in alkaline media no special antioxidants are required, yet keeping the bottle tightly closed limits evaporation and keeps the scent crisp.
A quick bench test on a strip is recommended each time you open a new lot, as minor batch-to-batch differences in strength can affect the balance of a finished formula.
Safely Using Lemonile
Dilution is key so always prepare a working solution before smelling or blending. Avoid direct sniffing from the bottle because the concentrated vapour can irritate nasal passages. Work in a well-ventilated area or under a fume hood to minimise inhalation of airborne molecules and be sure to wear nitrile gloves and safety glasses to protect skin and eyes.
Like many aroma chemicals Lemonile may trigger skin irritation or allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding consult a medical professional before handling any fragrance ingredient. Short, low-level exposure is generally considered safe but prolonged contact or high concentrations increase the risk of adverse effects.
Spills should be absorbed with inert material such as vermiculite, then disposed of in accordance with local regulations. Never pour leftover concentrates down the drain because the compound is classified as toxic to aquatic life. Store the bottle in a cool, dark cabinet away from acids and oxidising agents.
Always review the latest safety data sheet supplied by your vendor and check for updates routinely as regulatory information can change. Follow current IFRA guidelines for maximum use levels in your specific product category to keep consumers and the environment safe.
How To Store & Dispose of Lemonile
Lemonile prefers a cool dark corner away from direct sunlight and sources of heat. Most studios use a cabinet or drawer that stays under 20 °C year round. Refrigeration is optional yet helpful if you want the material to stay fresh beyond two years.
Always seal the bottle with a tight polycone cap. These inserts create a snug barrier that slows down evaporation and keeps air out. Avoid glass dropper tops because they allow slow leaks that dull the scent over time.
Try to keep bottles as full as possible. The less headspace inside, the less oxygen can reach the liquid which cuts down on oxidation. If you split a bulk order into smaller vials, top each one to the shoulder and label it right away with the name, CAS number, date opened and any hazard icons.
Store all working dilutions in the same manner. Mark the solvent ratio on the label so you know the exact strength when you pull the bottle later. Shelving should be sturdy chemical grade plastic or metal with a lip to catch spills.
When Lemonile is no longer needed never pour it into a sink or outdoor drain. The molecule is inherently biodegradable yet still toxic to aquatic life at higher levels. Small amounts left in pipettes or blotters can go into a sealed trash bag with absorbent material. Larger volumes should be collected in a dedicated waste container and handed to a licensed disposal service that handles hazardous organics.
Rinse empty bottles with a little solvent, add the rinse to your waste drum then recycle the glass once fully dry. Keep a spill kit nearby that includes inert absorbent, gloves and bags so you can act fast if a bottle tips over.
Summary
Lemonile is a synthetic lemon note from Givaudan known for its bright polished rind effect and impressive staying power. It delivers a clean citrus lift that survives in soaps, detergents and fine fragrances where natural lemon would fade in minutes.
Perfumers prize the molecule for its power, alkaline stability and mid-range cost. A trace dose rounds out top accords while a higher level can carry a whole fresh theme, yet its sharp character means it rarely fits gourmand or heavy amber styles.
The material arrives as a colourless liquid that stores well in a cool dark place or fridge. It is inherently biodegradable though toxic to aquatic life so correct disposal is important.
Commercial buyers can source Lemonile straight from Givaudan or through distributors that offer full drum quantities. Hobbyists and small brands will find smaller packs from third-party resellers or generic makers who list the same CAS number, letting everyone tap into this lively citrus tool without committing to bulk volumes.