Substance profile
Citral
Citral is a mobile pale yellow liquid with a strong lemon odor.
01 · Identification
What Citral is
Citral is a mobile pale yellow liquid with a strong lemon odor. Its molecular formula is C10H16O and its molecular weight is 152.23 g/mol. It boils at 229 °C, melts at -10 °C.
Under the GHS it carries the signal word Warning.
02 · GHS classification
Hazards and label elements
Harmonised classification under CLP Annex VI. This is the legally binding classification in the EU; other jurisdictions may differ.
| Code | Hazard statement |
|---|---|
| H315 | Causes skin irritation. |
| H317 | May cause an allergic skin reaction. |
Precautionary statements: P261, P264, P272, P280, P302, P313, P332, P333, P352
03 · Physical and chemical properties
Citral properties
Every value is shown with the conditions it was measured under and the source it came from. Where sources disagree, all values are listed rather than one being picked — the difference is usually a different form of the substance, not an error.
| Property | Value | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boiling point | 229 °C (444.2 °F) | HSDB | |
| 228 °C (442.4 °F) | JECFA | ||
| 227 °C (440.6 °F) | range, midpoint shown | ICSC | |
| Melting point | -10 °C (14 °F) | below this value | HSDB |
| Density | 0.9 g/cm³ | ICSC | |
| 0.888 g/cm³ | range, midpoint shown | JECFA | |
| 0.888 g/cm³ | range, midpoint shown, at 25 °C | HSDB | |
| Solubility | Solubility in alcohol: 1 mL in 7 mL 70% alcohol | HSDB | |
| Solubility in water, g/100ml at 25 °C: 0.059 (very poor) | at 25 °C | ICSC | |
| Vapor pressure | 5 mmHg | at 90 °C | CAMEO |
| 0.09 mmHg | Haz-Map | ||
| Vapor pressure, Pa at 100 °C: | at 100 °C | ICSC | |
| Flash point | 90.56 °C (195 °F) | HSDB | |
| 101.67 °C (215 °F) | CAMEO | ||
| 82 °C (179.6 °F) | ICSC | ||
| Autoignition temperature | 225 °C (437 °F) | ICSC | |
| Lower explosive limit (LEL) | 4.3 % by volume | ICSC | |
| It is rather endothermic. | HSDB | ||
| Upper explosive limit (UEL) | 9.9 % by volume | ICSC | |
| Vapor density | 5.3 (air = 1) | ICSC | |
| Odor threshold | Aroma threshold values: Detection: 28 to 120 ppb; alpha-citral, 32 to 460 ppb; beta citral, 30 to 460 ppb. | HSDB |
Values compiled from PubChem Laboratory Chemical Safety Summary. Temperatures converted to Fahrenheit for reference.
04 · Source notes
Further notes on Citral
These are descriptions rather than measured values, so they are kept out of the table above and quoted here with the source that reported them.
Solubility
Soluble in 5 volumes of 60% alcohol; soluble in all proportions of benzyl benzoate, diethyl phthalate, glycerin, propylene glycol, mineral oil, fixed oils, and 95% alcohol.
Source: HSDB
05 · Handling and storage
Storing and handling Citral
Reactivity
CITRAL is an aldehyde. Aldehydes are frequently involved in self-condensation or polymerization reactions. These reactions are exothermic; they are often catalyzed by acid. Aldehydes are readily oxidized to give carboxylic acids. Flammable and/or toxic gases are generated by the combination of aldehydes with azo, diazo compounds, dithiocarbamates, nitrides, and strong reducing agents. Aldehydes can react with air to give first peroxo acids, and ultimately carboxylic acids. These autoxidation reactions are activated by light, catalyzed by salts of transition metals, and are autocatalytic (catalyzed by the products of the reaction). The addition of stabilizers (antioxidants) to shipments of aldehydes retards autoxidation. This compound can react with alkalis and strong acids. It can readily isomerize. (NTP, 1992)
Source: CAMEO Chemicals
Planning storage for a mix of chemicals? Check Citral in the storage compatibility matrix →