Citral 1,2-Propylene Glycol Acetal, known for its strong citrus aroma, comes from a chemical reaction between citral and 1,2-propylene glycol. This acetal commonly appears in the flavor, fragrance, and personal care industries. Its structure puts together the fresh zest of natural citral with the stability granted by the glycol component, making it more stable than pure citral in many formulae. The appeal lies in its ability to provide lemon-like notes while resisting rapid breakdown, which matters for scent longevity in commercial products. Under the microscope, this molecule marries an aldehyde group from citral and the two hydroxyl groups from propylene glycol, creating a heavy-duty acetal bond that fights off quick oxidation. Compared to pure citral, this acetal form takes on more body, less volatility, and stays intact in storage for months in standard packaging, keeping quality fresh across the supply chain.
Physical features of Citral 1,2-Propylene Glycol Acetal range based on purity and environmental conditions. At room temperature, the material tends to form an oily, slightly viscous liquid, clear to pale yellow in hue. Sometimes, if left in cooler environments, the product can crystallize or form flakes, revealing another side of its solid-state chemistry. This trait helps technicians measure purity, as high-quality batches stay consistent under light temperature changes. In powdered or pearl form, the compound becomes much easier to dose in industrial or laboratory use. Being non-corrosive and not prone to polymerize under normal handling circumstances, it fits well in scalable recipes.
The chemical formula for Citral 1,2-Propylene Glycol Acetal falls under C13H24O3, showing it carries thirteen carbon atoms, twenty-four hydrogen atoms, and three oxygen atoms. Its molar mass sits around 228.33 g/mol. Density sits between 0.98 and 1.04 g/cm³ at 20°C, a valuable fact for those planning volumetric or mass-based formulation. The compound does not dissolve well in plain water due to its hydrophobic parts, but it solubilizes in ethanol and most essential oils. In terms of solution preparation, this makes it handy for perfumers and chemists who wish to maintain clarity in alcohol-based products. The component displays a refractive index of about 1.44–1.45 and loses none of its property after weeks of storage in dark glass containers due to stability. In commercial quantities, barrels or intermediate bulk containers carry the acetal either in liquid or semi-solid state, depending on buyer requirements.
This acetal often shows up in several physical presentations. Some suppliers cast it into flakes or crystals, easing measurement and reducing dust generation during weighing. In applications demanding rapid solubility or blending, a fine powder or tiny pearls give manufacturers control over batch consistency and reduce dispersion time. The more common liquid form — clear or faint yellow — pours easily and mixes with most non-polar solvents or alcohols without leaving residue. Regardless of form, what stands out is its durability and ability to hold up during mixing, heating, or long-haul shipping across continents.
Chemical products like Citral 1,2-Propylene Glycol Acetal ship under the umbrella of acetal and ether derivatives, and usually fall under HS Code 292090. This code covers acetals and hemiacetals, so importers reference it during customs clearance to avoid misclassification. Governments apply this HS Code to track chemical imports, levy taxes, and run safety checks. Awareness of this code saves headaches for exporters and guarantees fewer delays at international borders. Traceability takes center stage in the chemical supply chain, especially where regulated as a fragrance or flavor raw material.
In the world of chemicals, safety protocols shape how people view Citral 1,2-Propylene Glycol Acetal. Most industries regard it as non-corrosive to skin and metals. Yet, owing to its origin from citral, users need to guard against accidental ingestion or prolonged skin exposure, as some individuals experience mild skin or eye irritation. The vapor, if concentrated, can cause minor respiratory irritation for sensitive workers in poorly ventilated labs. MSDS usually recommend nitrile gloves and small bench-top fume hoods for extended use. Storage calls for sealed, UV-protected containers at room temperature away from acidic or base-strong materials — these steps cut down decomposition and purity loss. Fire risk is low for small-scale handlers, though the flash point sits above 100°C, so heat sources warrant caution in warehouse environments. Waste disposal asks for coordination with licensed chemical waste companies; any leftover material should not reach the water table due to potential aquatic toxicity in high concentration.
This acetal relies on the purity of its two main raw ingredients — citral and 1,2-propylene glycol. Fluctuations in citral supply, typically tied to the harvest of lemongrass or other citral-rich plants, impact both pricing and long-term supply strategy. Each batch starts with precise distillation and dehydrative condensation, which removes water as a byproduct and sets the final acetal structure. Unlike many synthetic aroma chemicals, the link between raw plant materials and the finished acetal makes traceability possible for sustainability claims. The glycol part flows in from well-established petrochemical streams, ensuring near-constant supply and consistent physical characteristics. Manufacturers favor this acetal for the way it blends natural fragrance pedigree with the reliability of industrial chemistry, all while keeping batch-to-batch variation minimal.
Citral 1,2-Propylene Glycol Acetal crops up everywhere from laundry detergents to luxury candles and complex eau de toilette. The food sector only touches it sparingly due to regulatory caution, but it still finds a seat in culinary smokehouses and baking flavor labs, especially where lemon or lime overtones matter. In liquid form, it pours straight into large-scale mixers for body sprays, air fresheners, or industrial cleaning fluids. Flake or bead versions find themselves added slowly to gels and emulsions to prevent clumping. Some industry users chase the extra stability this acetal brings, as pure citral by itself sours or oxidizes quickly. A modern fragrance house benefits from the way the acetal respects skin sensitivity guidelines — using distilled, low-allergen variants. On the regulatory side, documentation, traceability, and communication between buyer and seller anchor good business; product labels note both the common name and molecular structure, and laboratory certificates cover the main physical benchmarks named above.
Plant-derived supply chains sometimes wobble due to crop failures or changing climate, nudging buyers to secure multi-year contracts or hedge against shortages by diversifying suppliers. Forward-thinking manufacturers run dual-source procurement, taking citral material both from Asian and South American providers to dodge regional shocks. Improvements in cold-chain shipping reduce losses from crystallization or caking during long shipments. In labs, closed-loop systems capture spills and waste, lowering environmental risk. Regular staff training on MSDS updates and scenario-based drills can put safety concerns to rest. On the paperwork side, standardized labeling and up-to-date certificates of analysis support easier customs process, cutting border delays and unexpected compliance snags. Everyone from perfumers to warehouse managers sees practical, tangible benefits from sharp focus on these day-to-day improvements.
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