Geraniol, also called rhodinol, is a monoterpenoid and an alcohol. It is the primary part of oil-of-rose and palmarosa oil. It also occurs in small quantities in geranium, lemon, citronella, and many other essential oils. It appears as a clear to pale-yellow oil which is insoluble in water, but soluble in most common organic solvents. It has a rose-like odor, for which it is commonly used in perfumes. It is used in flavors such as peach, raspberry, grapefruit, red apple, plum, lime, orange, lemon, watermelon, pineapple and blueberry.

An alternate application has been found in the use of insect repellants or deterrants. Though it may repel mosquitoes, flies, lice, cockroaches, ants, and ticks, it is also produced by the scent glands of honey bees to help them mark nectar-bearing flowers and locate the entrances to their hives.

In a 1994 report released by five top cigarette companies, geraniol is listed as one of the 599 additives to cigarettes, to improve their flavor.^* Geraniol and other flavour compounds are found naturally in well aged tobacco.

In acidic solutions, geraniol is converted to the cyclic terpene alpha-terpineol.

See also

• Geranial - the corresponding aldehyde
• Nerol - the double bond isomer

External links

Alcohols | Alkenes | Terpenes and terpenoids | Flavors | Perfumery | Essential oils

Geraniol | géraniol | Geraniol | ゲラニオール