What Is Tetrahydro Citral?
Tetrahydro Citral is a synthetic aroma chemical created by Givaudan, one of the largest suppliers of perfume materials. While Givaudan holds the trademarked name, other fragrance houses can make chemically identical versions that appear on price lists as “tetrahydro citral” or under their own trade names.
The molecule itself is produced by hydrogenating citral, a naturally occurring component of lemongrass and other citrus oils. This extra hydrogenation step removes the double bonds that make citral prone to oxidation, giving the finished material improved stability without losing its bright character.
At room temperature the ingredient is a clear colorless liquid with a light viscosity similar to water. It pours easily, mixes quickly into alcohol or oil bases and leaves no visible residue.
Tetrahydro Citral is used often in toiletries, soaps and citrus colognes though it rarely gets star billing on a perfume’s marketing sheet. Perfumers reach for it when they want to lift a formula’s opening or reinforce natural citrus oils that can fade or turn.
Because the material is less reactive than citral it keeps well in a cool dark place. Under typical warehouse conditions you can expect about two years of dependable quality before the scent starts to flatten.
Cost wise it sits in the mid to lower range of citrus modifiers. It is affordable enough for large scale detergent work yet refined enough for fine fragrance briefs which is why it appears across many product types.
Tetrahydro Citral’s Scent Description
Perfumers classify this material squarely in the citrus family.
Off a blotter the first impression is a burst of lemon-lime peel with a touch of sweet orange. A gentle aldehydic fizz gives it lift while a soft sugary note rounds any sharp edges. Unlike straight citral it lacks the harsher lemon-cleaner twang so the effect feels smoother and slightly more candied.
The fragrance pyramid is often broken into top middle and base notes. Tetrahydro Citral sits firmly in the top. It flashes quickly to announce a fresh clean opening then recedes to let heart notes take over.
Projection is bright but not piercing. In an eau de toilette at one percent usage you will notice a vivid citrus halo for the first fifteen to twenty minutes. Longevity on skin is short, roughly half an hour, though on a paper blotter it can remain detectable for up to two days which helps modulate the early moments of a fragrance even after the wearer stops noticing it.
Because the material is stable it also survives the harsh conditions of soap curing and hot pour candles giving a crisp citrus pop during first use.
How & Where To Use Tetrahydro Citral
Perfumers reach for Tetrahydro Citral when they need a bright yet smooth citrus lift that hangs around longer than lemon oil but behaves better than fragile natural citral in soaps and detergents. It slips neatly into top note bouquets, adding zest to neroli, petitgrain or lime accords while softening the sharp edges those naturals can bring. In a classic eau de cologne it can replace part of the citral to raise stability, especially if the formula must survive hot warehouse shelves.
Used at trace levels it gives a light, almost sparkling veil that brightens florals without ever reading as “citrus.” Around 0.5 % to 2 % of the total concentrate it steps forward, delivering a clear lemon-lime aroma ideal for sporty masculines or green tea concepts. Push it toward 4 % to 5 % and the aldehydic facet grows, adding a waxy sweetness that can feel soapy if unsupported, which works well in modern clean musk bases but can overpower delicate hearts.
The molecule shines in high-pH products like bar soap, shampoo and laundry powder where natural citral quickly degrades. In alcohol perfume it partners nicely with Iso E Super and light woods to build a contemporary citrus-cedar top accord. It is less successful in rich orientals where its buoyant freshness can clash with dense resins, and it adds little value in gourmand bases already heavy with vanilla.
Over-use risks a thin, synthetic twang that may read as household cleaner rather than fine fragrance. It can also mask subtler zest notes from cold-pressed citrus oils, so dial back other citrals, lemon or verbena materials when dosing Tetrahydro Citral.
Prep work is minimal: weigh the neat liquid, then dilute to 10 % in ethanol or dipropylene glycol for speedier blotter testing. The molecule mixes easily and shows no tendency to crystallize, though a gentle warm-water bath can help on chilly days. Always label the dilution with date and strength so you can track freshness.
Safely Using Tetrahydro Citral
Dilution is key. Work with a 10 % or weaker solution before bringing the blotter to your nose. Avoid direct sniffing from the bottle because concentrated vapors can irritate nasal passages. Keep your workspace well ventilated so any airborne molecules disperse quickly. Protective gear matters: gloves and safety glasses shield skin and eyes from accidental splashes.
Like many aldehydic citrus materials this ingredient may cause skin irritation or trigger an allergic response in sensitive users. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding consult a healthcare professional before prolonged handling. Short sessions with low concentrations are generally considered safe yet extended or high-level exposure can lead to headaches or respiratory discomfort.
Store the bottle tightly closed in a cool, dark spot away from heat sources and strong acids or bases. If a spill occurs wipe it up with absorbent material, seal the waste in a polyethylene bag and dispose of it following local chemical regulations. Do not pour leftovers down the drain unless your municipal rules specifically allow it.
Always consult the latest Material Safety Data Sheet supplied with your batch, as updates may alter safe handling advice. Follow current IFRA guidelines for maximum use levels in each product category to keep both creators and end users safe.
How To Store & Dispose of Tetrahydro Citral
Good storage habits keep the citrus sparkle alive. A closed fridge set between 4 °C and 8 °C slows oxidation and can stretch shelf life well past two years, yet a cool cupboard away from sunlight or radiators works for everyday needs. Always cap the bottle tightly after each use.
Choose containers with polycone seals because they squeeze against the neck and block air better than glass droppers or standard screw caps. For working dilutions switch to small amber bottles so the headspace stays minimal. Top up part-filled bottles with inert gas or transfer to a smaller vial to cut oxygen contact that dulls the scent.
Keep Tetrahydro Citral far from strong bases or acids that can trigger off notes. Store it apart from food, drink or essential oils to avoid cross contamination. Label every container with the name, date of receipt, percentage if diluted and the hazard pictograms shown on the safety data sheet.
Disposal is simple yet must be handled responsibly. The molecule is only slowly biodegradable so never pour it down the drain. Collect leftover stock and spills in a sealed solvent waste can then hand it to a licensed chemical disposal service. Used pipettes, wipes or gloves should go in a marked solvent rag bin before final incineration according to local rules.
Summary
Tetrahydro Citral is a synthetic citrus top note from Givaudan listed under CAS 5988-91-0. It smells like clean lemon with a hint of sweet lime and a mild aldehydic lift, giving perfumes a bright opening that hangs on longer than plain lemon oil.
Perfumers like it because it resists high pH, stays clear in soap bases and costs far less than many naturals. Use levels hover around 0.5 % to 2 % of the concentrate, making it easy to slot into colognes, shampoos or fresh fabric scents.
Its popularity comes from this mix of stability, price and a smell that reads unmistakably citrus yet never harsh. The flip side is a narrow scent profile so it rarely fits heavy orientals or gourmand builds.
Commercial buyers can order directly from Givaudan or any major aroma supplier. Smaller volumes are widely available through reseller websites and generic producers that offer 25 g to one-kilogram packs for hobby work or pilot runs.