Citral
Overview
Terpenoid
The terpenoids , sometimes called isoprenoids, are a large and diverse class of naturally occurring organic chemicals similar to terpenes, derived from five-carbon isoprene units assembled and modified in thousands of ways. Most are multicyclic structures that differ from one another not only in...
s with the molecular formula C
Carbon
Carbon is the chemical element with symbol C and atomic number 6. As a member of group 14 on the periodic table, it is nonmetallic and tetravalent—making four electrons available to form covalent chemical bonds...
10H
Hydrogen
Hydrogen is the chemical element with atomic number 1. It is represented by the symbol H. With an average atomic weight of , hydrogen is the lightest and most abundant chemical element, constituting roughly 75% of the Universe's chemical elemental mass. Stars in the main sequence are mainly...
16O
Oxygen
Oxygen is the element with atomic number 8 and represented by the symbol O. Its name derives from the Greek roots ὀξύς and -γενής , because at the time of naming, it was mistakenly thought that all acids required oxygen in their composition...
. The two compounds are double bond isomer
Isomer
In chemistry, isomers are compounds with the same molecular formula but different structural formulas. Isomers do not necessarily share similar properties, unless they also have the same functional groups. There are many different classes of isomers, like stereoisomers, enantiomers, geometrical...
s. The E-isomer
E-Z notation
E-Z notation, or the E-Z convention, is the IUPAC preferred method of describing the stereochemistry of double bonds in organic chemistry...
is known as geranial or citral A. The Z-isomer
E-Z notation
E-Z notation, or the E-Z convention, is the IUPAC preferred method of describing the stereochemistry of double bonds in organic chemistry...
is known as neral or citral B.
Citral is present in the oils of several plants, including lemon myrtle
Lemon myrtle
Backhousia citriodora is a flowering plant in the family Myrtaceae, genus Backhousia. It is endemic to subtropical rainforests of central and south-eastern Queensland, Australia, with a natural distribution from Mackay to Brisbane...
(90-98%), Litsea citrata (90%), Litsea cubeba
Litsea cubeba
May Chang is an evergreen tree or shrub 5-12 meters high in the Lauraceae family. It is native to China, Indonesia, Taiwan and other parts of Southeast Asia. It is called "mountain pepper" in Mandarin and maqaw by the Atayal aborigines in Taiwan...
(70-85%), lemongrass (65-85%), lemon tea-tree
Leptospermum liversidgei
Leptospermum liversidgei, commonly known as Swamp May, Olive Teatree, Lemon-scented Teatree or Lemon Teatree, is a shrub to 4 m found naturally growing in wet coastal heath in Eastern Australia. Leaves are 5-7 mm long, with a distinctive lemony aroma...
(70-80%), Ocimum gratissimum
Ocimum gratissimum
Ocimum gratissimum, also known as Clove Basil, African Basil, and in Hawaii as Wild Basil, is a species of Ocimum. It is naturalized in Hawaii.-Pharmacology of extracts and essential oils:...
(66.5%), Lindera citriodora (about 65%), Calypranthes parriculata (about 62%), petitgrain
Petitgrain
Petitgrain is an essential oil that is extracted from the green twigs of the bitter orange plant via steam distillation.-Production:...
(36%), lemon verbena
Lemon verbena
Aloysia citrodora is a species of flowering plant in the verbena family, Verbenaceae, that is native to Argentina, Paraguay, Brazil, Uruguay, Chile, Bolivia, and Peru. Common names include Lemon Verbena and Lemon Beebrush. It was brought to Europe by the Spanish in the 17th...
(30-35%), lemon ironbark
Eucalyptus staigeriana
Eucalyptus staigeriana, Lemon Ironbark or Lemon-scented Ironbark, is a small rough barked sclerophyll tree that grows naturally in pure stands on hills in the Palmer River region of Cape York, North Queensland, Australia.-Uses:...
(26%), lemon balm
Lemon balm
Lemon balm , not to be confused with bee balm, Monarda species, is a perennial herb in the mint family Lamiaceae, native to southern Europe and the Mediterranean region....
(11%), lime
Lime (fruit)
Lime is a term referring to a number of different citrus fruits, both species and hybrids, which are typically round, green to yellow in color, 3–6 cm in diameter, and containing sour and acidic pulp. Limes are a good source of vitamin C. Limes are often used to accent the flavors of foods and...
(6-9%), lemon
Lemon
The lemon is both a small evergreen tree native to Asia, and the tree's ellipsoidal yellow fruit. The fruit is used for culinary and non-culinary purposes throughout the world – primarily for its juice, though the pulp and rind are also used, mainly in cooking and baking...
(2-5%), and orange
Orange (fruit)
An orange—specifically, the sweet orange—is the citrus Citrus × sinensis and its fruit. It is the most commonly grown tree fruit in the world....
.
Geranial has a strong lemon odor.
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