Citronellyl acetate, odor

C12H22O2, Mr 198.30, Z PlOl.SkPa 240 °C, d 0.8901, Wp 1.4515, occurs in many essential oils either as one of its optical isomers or as the racemate. The odor of racemic citronellyl acetate differs little from that of the optical isomers. ( )-Citronellyl acetate is a liquid with a fresh-fruity rose odor. It is often used as a fragrance, for example, for rose, lavender, and geranium notes as well as for eau de cologne with citrus nuances. Since it is relatively stable to alkali, it can be used in soaps and detergents. Citrus flavors acquire speciflc character through the addition of citronellyl acetate it is also used to round off other fruit flavors. 

Ester has a fruity note. When the initial alkyl group in alcohol or acid or both is relatively large in molecular size or with its own characteristic note, the resulting ester maintains this note in addition to the fruity note. Examples include citronellyl acetate, having a fresh rosy-fruity odor, which inherits the rosy note from citronellol and bomyl acetate, having a sweet herbaceous-piney odor with a balsamic undertone, which maintains the odor of bomeol. 

Citronellol has a fresh rosy odor that finds extensive use in floral fragrances and also in flavors for citrus and other fruit notes. Its improved stability over geraniol, nerol, and linalool makes it particularly useful in fragrances for soaps, detergents, and other household products. The odor of the levorotatory isomer is much finer than that of the racemate. Citronellyl acetate [150-84-5], also known as Cephreine, has a fresh rosy and fruity note and is also a significant perfumery ingredient. The formate, propionate, butyrate, and isobutyrate esters are also used. Citronellol is also important as an intermediate in the synthesis of a number of other aroma chemicals. 

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