Citronellal

Citronellal or rhodinal (C10H18O) is a monoterpenoid aldehyde, the main component in the mixture of terpenoid chemical compounds that give citronella oil its distinctive lemon scent.

Citronellal[1]
Skeletal formula of (+)-citronellal
Ball-and-stick model of the (+)-citronellal molecule
(+)-Citronellal
Ball-and-stick model of the (-)-citronellal molecule
(-)-Citronellal
Names
IUPAC name
3,7-dimethyloct-6-enal
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
1209447 1720789
ChEBI
ChEMBL
ChemSpider
ECHA InfoCard100.003.070 Edit this at Wikidata
EC Number
  • 203-376-6
1521962
KEGG
UNII
  • InChI=1S/C10H18O/c1-9(2)5-4-6-10(3)7-8-11/h5,8,10H,4,6-7H2,1-3H3 checkY
    Key: NEHNMFOYXAPHSD-UHFFFAOYSA-N checkY
  • InChI=1/C10H18O/c1-9(2)5-4-6-10(3)7-8-11/h5,8,10H,4,6-7H2,1-3H3
    Key: NEHNMFOYXAPHSD-UHFFFAOYAH
  • C/C(C)=C/CCC(C)CC=O
  • O=CCC(CC/C=C(/C)C)C
Properties
C10H18O
Molar mass154.25 g/mol
Density0.855 g/cm3
Boiling point201 to 207 °C (394 to 405 °F; 474 to 480 K)
Hazards
GHS labelling:
GHS07: Exclamation mark GHS09: Environmental hazard[2]
Warning
H315, H317, H411[2]
P262, P273, P280, P302+P352[2]
Related compounds
Related alkenals
Citral

Methacrolein
trans-2-Methyl-2-butenal

Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
checkY verify (what is checkY☒N ?)

Citronellal is a main isolate in distilled oils from the plants Cymbopogon (excepting C. citratus, culinary lemongrass),[3] lemon-scented gum, and lemon-scented teatree. The (S)-(−)-enantiomer of citronellal makes up to 80% of the oil from kaffir lime leaves and is the compound responsible for its characteristic aroma.

Citronellal has insect repellent properties, and research shows high repellent effectiveness against mosquitoes.[4] Another research shows that citronellal has strong antifungal qualities.[5]

Compendial status

See also

References