citronellal

[ si-truh-nel-al, -uhl ]

noun

1. a colorless, slightly water-soluble liquid mixture of isometric aldehydes having the formula C 10 H 18 O, with a strong lemonlike odor, occurring in many essential oils, usually derived from lemon, citronella oil, and other oils: used chiefly as a flavoring agent and in the manufacture of perfume.

citronellal

/ ˌsɪtrəˈnɛlæl /

noun

1. a colourless slightly water-soluble liquid with a lemon-like odour, a terpene aldehyde found esp in citronella and certain eucalyptus oils: used as a flavouring and in soaps and perfumes. Formula: (CH 3 ) 2 C:CH(CH 2 ) 2 CH(CH 3 )CH 2 CHO Also calledrhodinal

Word History and Origins

Origin of citronellal¹

First recorded in 1890–95; citronell(a) + -al ³

Example Sentences

Montell’s Current Biology study focused on a different bug deterrent: citronellal, the lemon-scented botanical chemical that is common in tiki torches and outdoor candles.

From US News

Vapor containing citronellal repulses fruit flies in two very different ways, the researchers found.

From US News

And the lemony-fresh molecule citronellal stinks in two very different ways, a study appearing the same day in Current Biology finds.

From US News

When the researchers genetically interfered with either TRPA1 or the smell receptor, the flies no longer avoided citronellal, suggesting that both were required for the aversion.

From US News

The oil contains some 90 per cent. limonene, together with nonyl alcohol, d-linalol, d-terpineol, citral, citronellal, decyl aldehyde, and methyl anthranilate.

From Project Gutenberg