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Synthetic aroma chemicals

Citral

Also known as geranialdehyde, Lemsyn GB, 3,7-Dimethyl-2,6-octadienal

CAS 5392-40-5Formula C10H16OMolar mass 152.24 g/molEC 205-476-5
GHS signal word: Warning. Pictograms: Harmful or irritant 94 suppliers listed
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Citral chemical structure, C10H16O, CAS 5392-40-5
2D chemical structure

Key facts

What buyers check first

All properties
Appearance
Mobile pale yellow liquid
Melting point
<-10
Boiling point
229 °C
Density
0.9 g/cm³
Flash point
91 °C
HS code
291219
Category
Synthetic aroma chemicals
UN number
UN 2810
Illustrative photo, pale yellow liquid in sealed glass ampoules on a laboratory bench
Typical packagingIllustrative packaging image, not the actual product

What is Citral?

Plain description, key identifiers and synonyms

Geranial is a monoterpenoid that is (2E,6E)-octa-2,6-dienal substituted by methyl groups at positions 3 and 7. It has a role as a volatile oil component and a plant metabolite. It is a polyprenal, a monoterpenoid and an enal.

Identifiers

Registry numbers, names and line notations, tap to copy

IUPAC name
(2E)-3,7-dimethylocta-2,6-dienal
CAS number
5392-40-5 CAS number cross-checkedOther or deprecated CAS: 141-27-5
EC numbers
205-476-5, 226-394-6
Molecular formula
C10H16O
UNII
758ZMW724E, T7EU0O9VPP
MDL number
MFCD00006997
INCI name
CITRAL, GERANIAL
InChIKey
WTEVQBCEXWBHNA-JXMROGBWSA-N
InChI
InChI=1S/C10H16O/c1-9(2)5-4-6-10(3)7-8-11/h5,7-8H,4,6H2,1-3H3/b10-7+
Canonical SMILES
CC(C)=CCCC(C)=CC=O
Isomeric SMILES
CC(=CCC/C(=C/C=O)/C)C

Synonyms

  • geranialdehyde
  • Lemsyn GB
  • 3,7-Dimethyl-2,6-octadienal
  • 2,6-Octadienal, 3,7-dimethyl-
  • 3,7-Dimethyl-trans-2,6-octadienal
  • Geranial
  • trans-Citral
  • (2E)-3,7-dimethylocta-2,6-dienal
  • alpha-Citral
  • (E)-Citral
  • Citral a
  • Geranaldehyde
  • beta-Geranial
  • (E)-3,7-Dimethylocta-2,6-dienal
  • geranal
  • Genanial
  • (E)-Geranial
  • (E)-Neral
  • 2,6-Octadienal, 3,7-dimethyl-, (2E)-
  • 2,6-Octadienal, 3,7-dimethyl-, (E)-
  • trans-3,7-Dimethyl-2,6-octadienal
  • (E)-3,7-Dimethyl-2,6-octadienal
  • Citral-A
  • (2E)-3,7-Dimethyl-2,6-octadienal
  • Lemarome n
Show all 38 synonyms
  • (2Z)-3,7-Dimethyl-2,6-octadienal
  • cis/trans-3,7-Dimethyl-2,6-octadienal
  • citral-b
  • a-Citral
  • trans-Citral = trans-3,7-Dimethyl-octa-2,6-dien-1-al
  • cis-3,7-Dimethyl-2,6-octadienal
  • Citral alpha
  • Citral, analytical standard
  • Citral (natural)
  • Citral natural
  • Z-Citral
  • Citral sintetico
  • 2,6-Dimethyloctadien-2,6-al-8

Physical and chemical properties

Measured values and descriptors computed from the structure

Physical and chemical properties

Measured values, check the supplier specification for your grade

Appearance
Mobile pale yellow liquidexp.
Odour
Strong lemon odorexp.
Taste
Taste threshold values: Detection: 28 to 120 ppb, alpha-citral, 32 to 460 ppb, beta-citral, 30 to 460 ppb.exp.
Melting point
<-10exp.
Boiling point
229 °Cexp.
Density
0.9 g/cm³exp.
Flash point
91 °Cexp.
Autoignition temperature
225 °Cexp.
Solubility
In water, 1.34 × 10⁺³ mg/L at 37 °Cexp.
Vapour pressure
Vapor pressure, Pa at 100 °C:exp.

Values vary by grade. Ask suppliers for the COA or TDS of the batch you buy.

Computed descriptors

Calculated from the structure, useful for screening and formulation

Molecular weight
152.24 g/molcalc.
Exact mass
152.1201 Dacalc.
LogP (octanol/water)
2.88calc.
Topological polar surface area
17.07 Ųcalc.
Hydrogen bond donors
0calc.
Hydrogen bond acceptors
1calc.
Rotatable bonds
4calc.
Heavy atoms
11calc.
Rings
0calc.
Aromatic rings
0calc.
Fraction sp3 carbons
0.5calc.
Formal charge
0calc.
Stereocentres
0calc.
Lipinski rule of five
Passes (0 violations)calc.

Calculated for screening. Confirm critical figures with the supplier.

Safety and hazards

GHS classification summary, not a safety data sheet

GHS signal word
Warning
GHS07: Harmful or irritant
Harmful or irritant
120NFPA 704 rating

Hazard statements

  • H315Causes skin irritation.
  • H317May cause an allergic skin reaction.
Precautionary statements (10)
  • P261Avoid breathing dust, fume, gas, mist, vapours or spray.
  • P264Wash skin thoroughly after handling.
  • P272Contaminated work clothing should not be allowed out of the workplace.
  • P280Wear protective gloves, protective clothing, eye protection and face protection.
  • P302 + P352If on skin: Wash with plenty of water.
  • P321Specific treatment (see supplemental first aid instructions on the label).
  • P332 + P317If skin irritation occurs: Get medical help.
  • P333 + P317If skin irritation or rash occurs: Get medical help.
  • P362 + P364Take off contaminated clothing. And wash it before reuse.
  • P501Dispose of contents and container in accordance with local regulations.
UN number
UN 2810

GHS classification summary, not a safety data sheet (SDS). Classifications can differ by supplier, grade and concentration. Always check the supplier's SDS.

Full safety data and first aid

Citral suppliers

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All 94 suppliers
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Where suppliers are based

94 suppliers in 22 countries

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Citral price

Indicative price range per kg from live supplier offers

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Uses and applications

What the substance is used for, by industry and function

Reported uses (FEMA, 1994): Alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages, baked goods, cheese, chewing gum, condiment (relish), frozen dairy, gelatin (pudding), gravies, hard and soft candy, meat products.

Used primarily as a starting material for the manufacturing of fragrance ingredients. Also used as a fragrance ingredient in fragrance compositions typically at a level of 0.1 to 1%. These compositions are used to perfume a wide variety of consumer products.

Intermediate for other fragrances.

In the synthesis of vitamin A, ionone and methylinone. As a flavor and in perfumery for its citrus effect.

Industrial uses: Flavoring and nutrient, Fragrance, Sealant (barrier).

Consumer uses: Fragrance, Lubricating agent.

Use classes: Cosmetics.

Cosmetic ingredient, INCI name CITRAL(fragrance, perfuming, flavouring)

Roles

  • additive
  • enzyme inhibitor
  • eukaryotic metabolite
  • flavouring agent
  • food additive
  • food component
  • fragrance
  • insecticide
  • metabolite
  • pesticide
  • physiological role
  • plant metabolite
  • volatile oil component

Functional uses

  • Biocide
  • Deodorizer
  • Flavouring and nutrient
  • Fragrance
  • Processing aids not otherwise specified

Cosmetic functions

  • Flavouring
  • Fragrance
  • Perfuming

How it is made

Dehydrogenation of a geranial-neral mixture obtained from beta-pinene

Synthesis from isoprene.

Principal constituent of lemongrass oil & can be isolated by fractional distillation. Obtained synthetically by oxidation of geraniol, nerol, or linalool by chromic acid.

Regulatory status

Inventories, regulations and trade controls that list this substance

Europe

  • EU harmonised classification (CLP Annex VI)
    Index no: 605-019-00-3

Health and food

  • EU cosmetic ingredient inventory
  • EU Cosmetics Regulation Annex III, restricted in cosmetics
    Name: Citral, Geranial, Neral, Ref no: 70, Annex ref: III/70

United States

  • TSCA inventory (USA)
    Status: Active in US commerce

HS code and trade data

Customs classification and reported world trade statistics

Global trade

World import and export statistics for the HS code Citral is traded under.

HS 2912.19Indicative HS code

Acyclic aldehydes without other oxygen function, other

World exports in 2024
$679M
+4.8% vs 2023, imports $743M
2019 to 2024
Top exporters
  1. Germany22.0%
  2. China21.2%
  3. United States18.5%
Top importers
  1. United States13.1%
  2. Germany9.6%
  3. Belgium8.2%
Reported customs values in USD, not prices.Full trade data

The HS code shown for Citral is indicative (it was assigned by structure rules). Confirm the classification with your customs broker before shipping.

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about Citral, based on the data on this page

What is Citral?

Geranial is a monoterpenoid that is (2E,6E)-octa-2,6-dienal substituted by methyl groups at positions 3 and 7. It has a role as a volatile oil component and a plant metabolite. It is a polyprenal, a monoterpenoid and an enal.

What is the CAS number of Citral?

The CAS registry number of Citral is 5392-40-5. Other or deprecated CAS numbers: 141-27-5.

What is the molecular formula and weight of Citral?

The molecular formula of Citral is C10H16O and its molar mass is 152.24 g/mol.

What is Citral used for?

Reported uses (FEMA, 1994): Alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages, baked goods, cheese, chewing gum, condiment (relish), frozen dairy, gelatin (pudding), gravies, hard and soft candy, meat products. Used primarily as a starting material for the manufacturing of fragrance ingredients.

Is Citral hazardous?

Citral carries the GHS signal word "Warning". Main hazards: causes skin irritation, may cause an allergic skin reaction. This summary is not an SDS, always read the supplier safety data sheet.

What is the HS code of Citral?

Citral is usually classified under HS code 291219 (Acyclic aldehydes without other oxygen function, other). This is indicative, confirm it with your customs broker before shipping.

Where can I buy Citral?

CompoundList lists 94 suppliers of Citral in China, United States, India, Germany and 18 more. Send one free request to get and compare quotes. Your contact details stay private until you accept a quote.

Where can I buy Citral in India?

16 suppliers in India list Citral on CompoundList. Filter the suppliers list by country and send a request to compare prices, grades and delivery times.

What is the price of Citral?

Suppliers quote Citral on request because prices depend on grade, purity, quantity and destination. A free request on CompoundList gets you several quotes to compare.

Guides for buyers

Practical guides that help when you source, ship or handle Citral

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Data last updated 7 Oct 2026. Details may have changed, please confirm them with the supplier. Report an error on this page
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