What Is Nerol 90 Rc?
Nerol 90 Rc is a high-purity grade of the classic terpene alcohol nerol, fine-tuned and launched by dsm-firmenich in 2021 for modern fragrance work. The 90 in its name points to its assay level, meaning nine parts in ten are the desired isomer, giving perfumers reliable consistency from batch to batch.
The material is produced by chemical synthesis that starts with turpentine collected from the paper industry. Through fractionation the turpentine is split into alpha- and beta-pinene streams, which are then converted step by step into nerol. This route lets the company valorize a forestry by-product instead of sourcing fresh plant matter, lining up with current green chemistry goals.
At room temperature Nerol 90 Rc is a clear mobile liquid that pours easily and blends without fuss into most perfume bases or surfactant systems. It is classified as readily biodegradable which helps formulators meet eco-design briefs.
The ingredient sits in the mainstream price bracket. It is neither a rare niche gem nor a bulk commodity so it shows up in a wide range of projects from prestige fine fragrance to household care and candle blends.
What Does Nerol 90 Rc Smell Like?
Perfumers file Nerol 90 Rc under the floral family.
On a blotter it opens with the crisp sweetness of fresh-cut rose petals backed by the leafy brightness of geranium. Almost immediately a gentle marine ripple appears, adding a breezy clarity that keeps the floral aspect from feeling heavy or old-fashioned.
The note structure in perfumery is often split into top, middle and base. Tops flash off in minutes, middles form the heart that lingers for hours and bases anchor the whole composition. Nerol 90 Rc lives firmly in the middle zone. It rises quickly enough to be noticed in the early phase yet stays present long into the drydown, acting as a bridge between sparkling openers and deeper base materials.
Projection is medium: strong enough to radiate a clean floral aura without dominating the room. On a standard smelling strip it remains perceptible for roughly twenty-four hours before fading to a faint whisper.
How & Where To Use Nerol 90 Rc
In the lab Nerol 90 Rc is a pleasure to handle. It pours smoothly, blends without causing cloudiness and gives you an immediate floral lift that feels clean rather than soapy.
Perfumers usually reach for it when they want a fresh rose-geranium nuance that stays polite. It shines in modern rose hearts, watery peony accords, marine florals or even to soften citrus openings that risk feeling too sharp. Its gentle green facet also links nicely with herbal notes like basil or mint.
Compared with classic citronellol or geraniol, Nerol 90 Rc offers more transparency and a lighter touch, so it is chosen when bulkier alcohols would weigh the formula down. In fruity florals it rounds off sharp berry edges; in white-musky bases it adds a dewy petal sheen.
The material works well in fine fragrance, body wash, shampoo, fabric softener, detergent and candles. It tolerates most pH ranges and survives typical surfactant systems without discoloration. The main limitation is heat: in very high-temperature applications such as hot-poured soap the top notes can flash off quickly, so compensating with a fixative may be smart.
Typical dosages run from traces up to 5%. At 0.1-0.5% you get a subtle rosy zest that freshens the blend. Around 1-2% the marine glow becomes more noticeable and the greenery emerges. Push it to the 4-5% zone and the material starts to dominate, giving a lush middle that can crowd delicate florals but works wonders in detergent bases where boldness is needed.
No special prep work is required beyond standard dilution. A 10% solution in ethanol or dipropylene glycol is common for bench work, though some perfumers keep a neat sample because the low vapor pressure means it does not leap out of the bottle.
Safety Information
Working with aroma chemicals means taking sensible precautions to protect yourself and those around you.
- Always dilute before evaluation: prepare a solution or blotter sample rather than smelling the neat liquid
- Never smell directly from the bottle: waft vapors toward your nose to avoid an overpowering hit
- Work in a well-ventilated area: good airflow prevents buildup of fumes that could irritate the respiratory system
- Wear gloves and safety glasses: protect skin and eyes from accidental splashes
- Health considerations: some aroma chemicals can irritate skin or trigger allergies. Brief exposure at low levels is generally safe but prolonged or high-level contact may be harmful. Seek medical advice before use if pregnant or breastfeeding
For full peace of mind consult the latest Material Safety Data Sheet supplied by your vendor and check it regularly for updates. Follow any IFRA guidelines on maximum usage to ensure your formula remains safe for end users.
Storage And Disposal
When kept under ideal conditions Nerol 90 Rc remains in spec for roughly two years, sometimes longer. Quality drifts slowly rather than failing overnight so the best practice is to check odor and color every six months.
Refrigeration is optional yet helpful; a dedicated fragrance fridge set around 8 °C slows oxidation and preserves the fresh rose facet. If fridge space is scarce a cool, dark cupboard away from radiators and direct sunlight works well.
Use bottles fitted with polycone caps for both the neat material and any dilutions. The flexible insert creates a tight seal that outperforms standard dropper tops which can weep and let air creep in. Try to decant into the smallest practical bottle so the headspace stays minimal. Less air means fewer chances for oxygen to nibble at the molecule.
Avoid repeated temperature swings. Moving a bottle in and out of cold storage invites condensation inside the container and can accelerate degradation. Keep the container upright, wipe threads after each pour and log the opening date.
Label every vessel clearly with the ingredient name, batch number, date of receipt and any hazard codes shown on the supplier SDS. Good labeling prevents mix-ups and speeds compliance checks.
If you need to dispose of leftover Nerol 90 Rc, do not pour it down the drain. Small amounts can be mixed with an absorbent such as kitty litter then sealed in a proper chemical waste bag for municipal pickup according to local regulations. Larger volumes should go through a licensed waste handler. The molecule is readily biodegradable which eases environmental impact compared with more persistent materials but correct disposal is still essential.
Summary
Nerol 90 Rc is a high purity synthetic take on classic nerol offering a breezy rose and geranium heart with a clean marine twist. It slots into countless accords from sheer peonies to detergent florals and gives perfumers a transparent alternative to heavier citronellols.
The material is easy to handle, fairly priced and biodegradable which adds to its popularity in today’s eco-minded market. Just remember that it prefers cool storage and can flash off under high heat so plan fixes or encapsulation if the formula faces tough conditions.
All in all it’s a fun, versatile building block that rewards creative dosing and blends seamlessly with citrus, greens, musks or woods. Whether you are polishing a fine fragrance trial or lifting a humble fabric softener Nerol 90 Rc deserves a spot on the bench.