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InventoryRef 7537815/10/2010

CITRONELLAL

6-Octenal, 3,7-dimethyl-

CITRONELLAL is listed in the EU CosIng inventory, but no direct annex records are linked on this page yet.

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Regulatory evidence by market

No rule for this ingredient has been imported for any of the 13 markets tracked here.

That describes this inventory, not the law. No imported rule is not evidence that an ingredient is permitted: a rule may exist under another name or identifier, or in a dataset not yet imported here.

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Chemical identity and properties

PubChem 2D chemical structure for CAS 106-23-0
CAS 106-23-0PubChem CID 7794

Citronellal

Citronellal is a monoterpenoid, the main component of citronella oil which gives it its distinctive lemon aroma. It has a role as a metabolite and an antifungal agent. It is an aldehyde and a monoterpenoid. — ChEBI

IUPAC name
3,7-dimethyloct-6-enal
Molecular formula
C10H18O
Molecular weight
154.25 g/mol
Exact mass
154.135765193 Da
XLogP3
3.0
Topological polar surface area
17.1 Ų
Hydrogen-bond donors
0
Hydrogen-bond acceptors
1
Covalent units
1
Defined stereocentres
0

Also known as

3,7-Dimethyl-6-octenal6-Octenal, 3,7-dimethyl-2,3-DihydrocitralCitronellaCitronellelbeta-Citronellal3,7-Dimethyl-6-octen-1-alFEMA No. 2307
16 more reported names
QB99VZZ7GZNSC-46106CHEBI:47856RefChem:32709203-376-6Rhodinal(+/-)-CitronellalCITRONELLOL,(D).beta.-CitronellalNSC 46106(+/-)-3,7-Dimethyl-6-octenal3,7-dimethyl-oct-6-enal( inverted exclamation markA)-Citronellal3,7-dimethyloct-6-en-1-al3,7-dimethyl-Citronellal Extra Rhodinal
Open full PubChem recordPubChem annotations3D structure image
External database identifiers

Evidence from additional scientific databases

EMBL-EBI ChEBI
Exact identifier matchCHEBI:47856

citronellal

A monoterpenoid, the main component of citronella oil which gives it its distinctive lemon aroma.

Formula
C10H18O
Average mass
154.253 g/mol
Monoisotopic mass
154.13577 Da
Formal charge
0
  • monoterpenoid — is a (CHEBI:25409)
  • aldehyde — is a (CHEBI:17478)
  • metabolite — has role (CHEBI:25212)
  • antifungal agent — has role (CHEBI:35718)
  • metabolite — has role (CHEBI:25212)
  • antifungal agent — has role (CHEBI:35718)
  • monoterpenoid — is a (CHEBI:25409)
  • aldehyde — is a (CHEBI:17478)
Additional curated names
3,7-dimethyloct-6-enal2,3-dihydrocitral3,7-dimethyl-6-octen-1-al3,7-dimethyl-6-octenalbeta-citronellal
Cross-references from this source
  • CAS: 106-23-0 — NIST Chemistry WebBook
  • CAS: 106-23-0 — ChemIDplus
  • CAS: 106-23-0 — KEGG COMPOUND
  • REGISTRY_NUMBER: 1209447 — Beilstein
  • REGISTRY_NUMBER: 1521962 — Gmelin
  • REGISTRY_NUMBER: 1720789 — Beilstein
  • MANUAL_X_REF: C17384 — KEGG COMPOUND
  • MANUAL_X_REF: Citronellal — Wikipedia

Mapped by: Exact CAS cross-reference in the ChEBI compound record. Source updated: 2019-08-19. Retrieved: 2026-08-31. Open source record

NIH PubChem PUG-View
Exact identifier match7794

Attributed physical-property, hazard, environmental and use annotations.

  • Note: This chemical does not meet GHS hazard criteria for < 0.1% (1 of 2050) of reports. Source: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
  • Signal: Warning Source: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
  • GHS Hazard Statements: H315 (> 99.9%): Causes skin irritation [Warning Skin corrosion/irritation]; H317 (97.5%): May cause an allergic skin reaction [Warning Sensitization, Skin]; H319 (99.4%): Causes serious eye irritation [Warning Serious eye damage/eye irritation]; H411 (77.9%): Toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects [Hazardous to the aquatic environment, long-term hazard] Source: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
  • Precautionary Statement Codes: P261, P264, P264+P265, P272, P273, P280, P302+P352, P305+P351+P338, P321, P332+P317, P333+P317, P337+P317, P362+P364, P391, and P501 (click each P-code to see the statement) Source: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
  • ECHA C&L Notifications Summary: Aggregated GHS information provided per 2050 reports by companies from 17 notifications to the ECHA C&L Inventory. Each notification may be associated with multiple companies.; Reported as not meeting GHS hazard criteria per 1 of 2050 reports by companies.; There are 16 notifications provided by 2049 of 2050 reports by companies with hazard statement code(s).; Information may vary between notifications depending on impurities, additives, and other factors. The percentage value in parenthesis indicates the notified classification ratio from companies that provide hazard codes. Only hazard codes with percentage values above 10% are shown. For more detailed information, please visit ECHA C&L website. Source: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
  • Signal: Warning Source: NITE-CMC
  • GHS Hazard Statements: H227: Combustible liquid [Warning Flammable liquids] Source: NITE-CMC
  • Precautionary Statement Codes: P210, P280, P370+P378, P403, and P501 (click each P-code to see the statement) Source: NITE-CMC
  • Signal: Warning Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
  • GHS Hazard Statements: H227: Combustible liquid [Warning Flammable liquids]; H315: Causes skin irritation [Warning Skin corrosion/irritation]; H317: May cause an allergic skin reaction [Warning Sensitization, Skin]; H319: Causes serious eye irritation [Warning Serious eye damage/eye irritation]; H335: May cause respiratory irritation [Warning Specific target organ toxicity, single exposure; Respiratory tract irritation]; H401: Toxic to aquatic life [Hazardous to the aquatic environment, acute hazard]; H411: Toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects [Hazardous to the aquatic environment, long-term hazard] Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
  • Precautionary Statement Codes: P210, P261, P264, P264+P265, P271, P272, P273, P280, P302+P352, P304+P340, P305+P351+P338, P319, P321, P332+P317, P333+P317, P337+P317, P362+P364, P370+P378, P391, P403, P403+P233, P405, and P501 (click each P-code to see the statement) Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
  • NFPA Health Rating: 0 - Materials that, under emergency conditions, would offer no hazard beyond that of ordinary combustible materials. Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
  • NFPA Fire Rating: 2 - Materials that must be moderately heated or exposed to relatively high ambient temperatures before ignition can occur. Materials would not under normal conditions form hazardous atmospheres with air, but under high ambient temperatures or under moderate heating could release vapor in sufficient quantities to produce hazardous atmospheres with air. Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
  • NFPA Instability Rating: 0 - Materials that in themselves are normally stable, even under fire conditions. Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
  • Toxicity Summary: IDENTIFICATION AND USE: Citronellal is a colorless to slightly yellow liquid with an intense lemon odor. It is used as a flavoring agent and insect repellant. It has been tested as a medication. HUMAN EXPOSURE AND TOXICITY: A maximization test was carried out on 25 volunteers. The material was tested at a concentration of 4% in petrolatum and produced no sensitization reactions. Three cases of eczematous contact-type hypersensitivity to oils of citronella have been recorded. In two instances detailed patch-test studies were made with the ingredients of oil of citronella and some related substances. The essential allergen in oil of citronella was reported to be citronellal. ANIMAL STUDIES: Citronellal applied full strength to intact or abraded rabbit skin for 24 hr under occlusion was moderately irritating. Citronellal injected into white leghorn embryos caused dose-dependent teratogenesis. Morphological malformation occurred mainly in the craniofacial area. Citronellal produced antinociceptive effects in mice and was a strong skin sensitizer in guinea pigs. Mutagenicity was evaluated by the Salmonella/microsome assay (TA97a, TA98, TA100 and TA102 tester strains), without and with m Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
  • Environmental Bioconcentration: An estimated BCF of 160 was calculated in fish for citronellal(SRC), using a log Kow of 3.83(1) and a regression-derived equation(2). According to a classification scheme(3), this BCF suggests the potential for bioconcentration in aquatic organisms is high(SRC). Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
  • Environmental Fate: TERRESTRIAL FATE: Based on a classification scheme(1), an estimated Koc value of 650(SRC), determined from a log Kow of 3.83(2) and a regression-derived equation(3), indicates that citronellal is expected to have low mobility in soil(SRC). Volatilization of citronellal from moist soil surfaces may be an important fate process(SRC) given an estimated Henry's Law constant of 2.62X10-4 atm-cu m/mole(SRC), using a fragment constant estimation method(4). Even though the vapor pressure is low environmentally at standard temperature and pressure, estimated as 0.25 mm Hg at 25 °C(SRC), determined from a fragment constant method(3), there is a detectable odor; therefore, citronellal may volatilize from dry soil. Utilizing a Modified Sturm test, 83% biodegradation occurred in 4 weeks(5) suggesting that biodegradation is an important environmental fate process in soil(SRC). Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
  • Environmental Fate: AQUATIC FATE: Based on a classification scheme(1), an estimated Koc value of 650(SRC), determined from a log Kow of 3.83(2) and a regression-derived equation(3), indicates that citronellal may adsorb to suspended solids and sediment(SRC). Volatilization from water surfaces is expected(4) based upon an estimated Henry's Law constant of 2.62X10-4 atm-cu m/mole(SRC), developed using a fragment constant estimation method(5). Using this Henry's Law constant and an estimation method(4), volatilization half-lives for a model river and model lake are 8 hours and 6 days, respectively(SRC). According to a classification scheme(6), an estimated BCF of 160(SRC), from its log Kow(2) and a regression-derived equation(3), suggests the potential for bioconcentration in aquatic organisms is high(SRC). Utilizing a Modified Sturm test, 83% biodegradation occurred in 4 weeks(7) suggesting that biodegradation is an important environmental fate process in water(SRC). Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
  • Environmental Fate: ATMOSPHERIC FATE: According to a model of gas/particle partitioning of semivolatile organic compounds in the atmosphere(1), citronellal, which has an estimated vapor pressure of 0.25 mm Hg at 25 °C(SRC), determined from a fragment constant method(2), is expected to exist solely as a vapor in the ambient atmosphere. Vapor-phase citronellal is degraded in the atmosphere by reaction with photochemically-produced hydroxyl radicals(SRC); the half-life for this reaction in air is estimated to be 3 hours(SRC), calculated from its rate constant of 1.2X10-10 cu cm/molecule-sec at 25 °C(SRC) that was derived using a structure estimation method(3). The rate constant for the vapor-phase reaction of citronellal with ozone has been estimated as 4.3X10-16 cu cm/molecule-sec at 25 °C(SRC) that was derived using a structure estimation method(3). This corresponds to an atmospheric half-life of about 40 minutes at an atmospheric concentration of 7X10+11 ozone molecules per cu cm(4). Citronellal contains chromophores that absorb at wavelengths >290 nm(5) and, therefore, may be susceptible to direct photolysis by sunlight(SRC). Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
  • Sources/Uses: Main component of citronella oil; Present in many other volatile oils; [Merck Index] Used as flavoring agent, insect repellent, fragrance (soaps, detergents, creams, lotions, and perfumes), and chemical intermediate for citronellol and hydroxycitronellal; [HSDB] Source: Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases
  • Uses: In soap perfumes; insect repellant. Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
  • Uses: Citronellal is used in small amounts for scenting soaps and detergents. Its principal application is in the preparation of isopulegol, citronellol, and hydroxycitronellal. Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
  • Uses: Among the plant families with promising essential oils used as repellents, Cymbopogon spp., Ocimum spp. and Eucalyptus spp. are the most cited. Individual compounds present in these mixtures with high repellent activity include alpha-pinene, limonene, citronellol, citronellal, camphor and thymol. Finally, although from an economical point of view synthetic chemicals are still more frequently used as repellents than essential oils, these natural products have the potential to provide efficient, and safer repellents for humans and the environment. Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
  • Uses: MEDICATION Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
  • Uses: Reported uses (ppm):; Table: Reported uses (ppm): (Flavor and Extract Manufacturers' Association, 1994) [Table#1696] Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

Mapped by: Existing checksum-valid CAS to unique PubChem CID match. Retrieved: 2026-08-31. Open source record

Scientific classifications and hazard annotations provide context and do not replace the market-specific regulatory decision shown above.

Additional source coverage and match status
SourceResultChecked
EMBL-EBI ChEBIExact match2026-08-31
NIH PubChem PUG-ViewExact match2026-08-31

A recorded no-match is useful evidence that the source was checked; it is not a claim that the substance does not exist elsewhere.

Retrieved from NIH PubChem on 2026-08-31 by checksum-valid CAS matching. Chemical properties do not replace the regulatory decision on this page.

Inventory details for CITRONELLAL

INCI name

CITRONELLAL

Description

6-Octenal, 3,7-dimethyl-

Record provenance

Inventory reference
75378
Imported identity
CITRONELLAL
Source update
15/10/2010
European Commission CosIng source notes
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Key data

CAS
106-23-0
EC
203-376-6
Restriction
—
Function
FRAGRANCE
Imparting an odour or taste. Creating a perceivable pleasant smell and/or masking a bad smell.

Official EU ingredient-name evidence

The ingredient name exactly matches the official 2025 EU glossary of common ingredient names.

#6619 · CITRONELLAL

Ingredients with overlapping formulation functions

CISTUS LADANIFERUS RESINFRAGRANCE
CISTUS LADANIFERUS RESIN EXTRACTFRAGRANCE
CISTUS MONSPELIENSIS EXTRACTFRAGRANCE
CITRIC ACIDBUFFERING, CHELATING, FRAGRANCE
CITRONELLIC ACIDANTI-SEBORRHEIC, ANTIMICROBIAL, FRAGRANCE
CITRONELLYL ACETATEFRAGRANCE
CITRONELLYL METHYLCROTONATEFRAGRANCE, PERFUMING
CITRUS AURANTIFOLIA FRUIT OILFRAGRANCE, SKIN CONDITIONING

Additional official and scientific sources

11 external databases to check this identity in

Each link searches that source for this identity. What each source is, and its legal weight

ECHA CHEM / Information on chemicalsPubChem PUG RESTEU Safety Gate cosmetic product alertsECHA CHEMUS EPA CompToxCosmetic Ingredient Review safety assessmentsFDA Global Substance Registration SystemILO/WHO International Chemical Safety CardsJapan NITE-CHRIPNIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical HazardsOECD eChemPortal

How CITRONELLAL appears in the CosIng inventory

The CosIng inventory lists CITRONELLAL as a cosmetic ingredient and this page links it to 0 annex records. The inventory entry captures names and identifiers, while the annex records show where the substance is prohibited, restricted or positively listed in EU cosmetics law.

CITRONELLAL is also tagged with 1 cosmetic function in the official data. Function labels describe intended use, but they do not replace regulatory review of linked annex records before formulation or labelling work.

Frequently asked questions

CITRONELLAL is listed in the EU CosIng ingredient inventory with no direct annex restriction records linked at this time. Absence of an annex link does not guarantee unrestricted use — always verify against the current official CosIng database before formulating.

According to the EU CosIng inventory, CITRONELLAL carries the following function designation(s):

CAS 106-23-0 may appear across multiple EU annex records. Viewing the CAS lookup page shows all Annex II–VI entries sharing this identifier, which is useful for identifying cross-annex regulatory status of the same chemical substance.
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Source note for CITRONELLAL

This page reproduces the CosIng inventory entry for CITRONELLAL from public European Commission cosmetic ingredient materials and shows linked identifiers even when no direct annex match is currently attached.

Use this inventory page to research CITRONELLAL and compare linked records, but verify restrictions and legal status against the current official source text and law before making regulatory decisions.

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