Hydroxycitronellal - BASF

CAS:107-75-5

FEMA: N/A

Hydroxycitronellal is a widely used important Muguet component in many modern and vintage fragrances. Fresh, floral Lily of the Valley with notes of Linden Blossom, Citrus and melon nuances.

Description courtesy of Arctander - “Sweet-floral, at first delicate and refreshingly mild, but often increasing in odor strength after short olfactory study. The floral notes are mild, light and resemble Lily of the Valley. The tenacity is good, and the odor diffusion increases significantly when the material is properly blended with lower boiling odorants or modifiers.”

He goes on to suggest it is: “one of the most frequently used floralizing perfume materials. Originally introduced as a 'Muguet' material, it finds its way into almost every type of floral fragrance, and a great many nonfloral ones. Its concentration in perfumes may vary from about 1% (which rarely gives effect unless supported by parallel materials) up to 30 or 40% in straight floral types. It is almost a 'must' in Muguet (at certain price levels) and Peony, Lily, Sweet Pea, Narcisse, Lindenblossom, etc. and it had a monopoly on these types for more than 40 years during which period not one material appeared that could truly replace Hydroxycitronellal.”

Modern restrictions on its use mean that it is not now used at the levels it was when Arctander was writing, but it remains an essential of the perfumer's palette.