What does citronellol mean?
Citronellol is a naturally occurring organic compound belonging to the family of terpene alcohols, with the chemical formula C10H18O. It is a colourless, oily liquid found in significant quantities in citronella oil, as well as in rose oil and geranium oil, and it contributes a fresh, sweetly floral, slightly citrusy note to their scents. Because of this pleasant aroma, citronellol is one of the most widely used fragrance materials in perfumery, appearing in soaps, detergents, lotions, and fine fragrances, where it helps create classic rosy accords. It also has practical value beyond scent: like the citronella oil from which it derives its name, citronellol exhibits insect-repelling properties, particularly against mosquitoes, and appears in some natural repellent products. The word is essentially technical, encountered chiefly in chemistry, cosmetics labelling, and aromatherapy literature rather than everyday conversation. For anyone reading ingredient lists or studying fragrance chemistry, however, it is a term worth knowing, since it identifies both a major component of beloved floral scents and a gentler alternative among plant-based repellent compounds.
nounA naturally occurring monoterpenoid alcohol, C10H18O, present in citronella, rose, and other essential oils, widely used in perfumery and as an insect repellent.
- The colourless, oily liquid alcohol C10H18O found in citronella and rose oils, valued in perfumery for its fresh floral odour.
- An ingredient in insect-repellent formulations, exploiting its mosquito-deterring properties.
"The perfume's fresh rosy character owes much of its charm to citronellol."
"Bulgarian rose otto can contain well over thirty percent citronellol by weight."
"Because citronellol is gentle on skin compared with harsher repellents, it is a common choice in botanical insect sprays."
Rarely pluralised except when distinguishing between the stereoisomeric forms of the compound.
"The two citronellols differ subtly in odour despite sharing the same molecular formula."
The same molecule that perfumes your favourite rose scent is also what makes mosquitoes wish they'd flown somewhere else.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of citronellol
The name citronellol was formed in the late nineteenth century from citronella, the aromatic oil in which the compound was first identified, combined with the chemical suffix -ol denoting an alcohol. Citronella itself derives from French citronelle, a diminutive of citron, ultimately tracing back to Latin citrus, the citron tree. Its English relatives include citric, citrate, and citrus, all descendants of that same Latin root.
How citronellol is actually used
A technical term confined mainly to chemistry, perfumery, cosmetics, and aromatherapy contexts; rarely encountered in everyday speech. It carries no figurative or colloquial uses, and its connotations are neutral and scientific.
Easily confused with citronellol
Citronellal is the corresponding aldehyde (a different compound used in lemon-scented products), whereas citronellol is the reduced alcohol form of the same carbon skeleton.
Geraniol is an isomer of citronellol with a double bond in a different position, giving it a distinctly more floral, rose-like odour.