citral

[ si-truhl ]

noun

, Chemistry.

1. a pale yellow, water-insoluble, liquid aldehyde, C 10 H 16 O, having a strong lemonlike odor, consisting in natural form of two isomers citral a, or geranial, and citral b, or neral, usually obtained from the oils of lemon and orange or synthetically: used chiefly in perfumery, flavoring, and the synthesis of vitamin A.

citral

/ ˈsɪtrəl /

noun

1. a yellow volatile liquid with a lemon-like odour, found in oils of lemon grass, orange, and lemon and used in perfumery: a terpene aldehyde consisting of the cis- isomer ( citral-a or geranial ) and the trans- isomer ( citral-b or neral ). Formula: (CH 3 ) 2 C:CH(CH 2 ) 2 C(CH 3 ):CHCHO

Word History and Origins

Origin of citral¹

First recorded in 1890–95; citr(us) + -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of citral¹

C19: from citr ( us ) + -al ³

Example Sentences

The important ingredients of lemon extract are lemon oil and citral, its aromatic constituent.

From Project Gutenberg

Geraniol by oxidation goes into the aldehyde, citral, which occurs in lemons, oranges and verbena flowers.

From Project Gutenberg

It may be detected by the same test which was used for citral.

From Project Gutenberg

It is asserted that the mules of serins, citral finches, and goldfinches, are fruitful.

From Project Gutenberg

It is prepared by treating a mixture of citral and acetone with barium hydrate, and distilling in vacuo.

From Project Gutenberg