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citronellol

chemical compound
Also known as: rhodinol

Quick Summary

Citronellol is an unsaturated liquid alcohol with a roselike odor. It is found in two optically active forms in many essential oils, such as rose oil, and is utilized in perfumery and soaps. Citronellol is a derivative of citronella oil, which is obtained from the leaves of oil grasses. Citronella oil also yields citronellal, an aldehyde with a lemon-like odor used in perfumery and as an insect repellent. Both citronellol and citronellal are types of terpenes, a class of naturally occurring organic substances. Citronella oil itself is often used to repel mosquitoes.1234

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