geraniol

Geraniol is a naturally occurring acyclic monoterpenoid alcohol with the molecular formula C10H18O. It is a primary alcohol and a major constituent of several essential oils, including those of geranium, palmarosa, and citronella, and is also found in rose oil and lemongrass. In perfumery, it provides a characteristic rose-like, sweet scent and is widely used as a fragrance ingredient, as well as a flavoring component in some foods and beverages.

Chemically, geraniol has two double bonds in an open-chain skeleton and exists as a mixture of geometric isomers, with the trans form typically predominating in natural oils. It is produced commercially by extraction from essential oils or by chemical synthesis from isoprenoid precursors; it can be converted to esters (for example, geranyl acetate) for use in flavors and fragrances.

In addition to its olfactory role, geraniol is used as an intermediate in fragrance synthesis and in cosmetic formulations, where it acts as a fragrance additive in soaps, detergents, and skincare products.

Safety and regulation: Geraniol is generally regarded as safe for use in cosmetics at permitted concentrations, but it can cause skin sensitization in sensitive individuals. It is listed as a fragrance allergen in some regulatory regimes, requiring labeling in cosmetic products above specified thresholds.

See also: Citral (a mixture of the aldehydes geranial and neral formed by oxidation of geraniol), geranyl acetate, citronellol.