Geranyl acetate is a terpenoid. It is a colorless liquid with a pleasant floral or fruity rose aroma. It is a colorless liquid but commercial samples can appear yellowish. Geranyl acetate is insoluble in water but soluble in organic solvents. Several hundred tons are produced annually.
Occurrence and production
Geranyl acetate is a constituent of many
, including Ceylon
citronella oil,
palmarosa,
lemon grass, petit grain,
neroli,
Pelargonium,
coriander,
carrot, Camden woollybutt, and
sassafras. It can be obtained by fractional distillation of the essential oils obtained from these sources, but more commonly it is prepared by the
esterification of
geraniol with
acetic acid.
Uses
Geranyl acetate is used primarily as a component of perfumes for creams and soaps and as a flavoring ingredient. It is used particularly in rose, lavender and geranium formulations where a sweet fruity or citrus aroma is desired. It is designated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as generally recognized as safe (GRAS).
See also
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