In short
Nerol is the cis isomer of geraniol, found in neroli, rose and other oils. It has a fresher, sweeter rose-citrus note than geraniol.
What Nerol smells like
Nerol, the cis isomer of geraniol, is a fresh, sweet rose with citrus nuances. Wikipedia describes a sweet rose odour considered fresher than geraniol's; a glossary calls it more delicate, less sweet, more watery and slightly greener. Arctander, as quoted by a perfumer's site, says it lends a freshness to a rose base that cannot be obtained with the other rose alcohols. It is more prone than geraniol to acid-catalysed cyclisation.
- Leading note
- Fresh rose
- Clear facets
- Citrus
- Supporting facets
- Watery green
- Faint facets
- Orange blossom
- Character
- Fresh, delicate, light, watery
What makes Nerol distinctive
Freshness that no other rose alcohol gives, by Arctander's account — lighter, more watery and more citrus than geraniol.
Where the descriptions disagree: Most sources find nerol less sweet than geraniol; one distributor describes it the other way round.
How Nerol is used
Used to freshen rose bases and in neroli, orange-blossom and citrus-floral compositions.
Typical role: blender (smooths the joins between other materials).
How Nerol differs from similar materials
- Geraniol
- A glossary describes nerol as less sweet, more watery and greener than geraniol — rose-fresh rather than rose-sweet. (compared directly by a cited source)
- Neryl Acetate
- Neryl acetate is sweeter and fruitier, with orange blossom; nerol is the fresher, more watery rose alcohol.
An asterisk marks a difference that a cited source states directly. The others compare the published descriptions of each material. Smell varies with grade, supplier and dilution; compare them side by side on blotters before substituting one for another.
Formulation considerations
Often supplied as a mixture with geraniol; check the specification.
Identity and classification
- Type
- Aroma chemical
- Origin
- Occurs in nature
- Odour family
- Floral / Citrus
- Note position
- Heart note
- Physical form at room temperature
- Liquid
- CAS number
- 106-25-2
- Molecular formula
- C10H18O
- Molecular weight
- 154.25 g/mol
- IUPAC name
- (2Z)-3,7-dimethylocta-2,6-dien-1-ol
The CAS number, formula and molecular weight are taken from PubChem compound 643820, whose own record lists this CAS number; checked 19 October 2026.
Safety and compliance
Hazard classification of the neat substance, as PubChem summarises it, read 26 October 2026. Companies notifying the ECHA C&L Inventory classify it (2,141 reports): H315 causes skin irritation (97% of reports); H317 may cause an allergic skin reaction (78.6% of reports); H318 causes serious eye damage (63.7% of reports); H319 causes serious eye irritation (33% of reports). 2 of the reports find it does not meet the hazard criteria. A skin sensitiser classification concerns handling the neat material and the dose in a finished product; the IFRA Standards, where they apply, set the limits. Unless it is harmonised, this is the notifiers' own classification, not a binding one.
This page is general information, not a safety assessment or a specification. Confirm identity, composition, IFRA status and allergen content from your supplier's documents for the lot you hold.
Materials it works with
-
Geraniol
Aroma chemical · Floral / Citrus — rosy, sweet, citrus, fresh
-
Neroli Oil
Essential oil · Floral / Citrus — floral, citrus, orange blossom, honeyed
-
Citronellol
Aroma chemical · Floral / Green — rosy, fresh, citrus, waxy
Nerol is also suggested as a partner on the pages for Nerol Oxide and Neryl Acetate.
Used in formulas and accords
Used in 11 published formulas
Nerol is an ingredient in 5 perfume formulas, 5 accords and 1 base in the Formula & Accord Library.
Community formulas
RUŌOD House Originals
Original compositions by RUŌOD House.
Further reading
Questions about Nerol
Is Nerol natural or synthetic?
The molecule occurs in nature. Commercial Nerol may be made by synthesis or obtained from natural sources, so check the supplier's specification if the distinction matters to you.
What is the CAS number of Nerol?
106-25-2. It was checked against PubChem on 19 October 2026.
Which published formulas use Nerol?
Nerol is used in 11 published formulas in the RUŌOD Lab Formula & Accord Library, including Blood Accord, Honeyed Rose Accord and Linden Afternoon. Each is listed with a link under "Used in formulas and accords" on this page.
Sources
- PubChem — compound 643820, checked 19 October 2026.
- PubChem — GHS classification (the ECHA C&L Inventory notifications and any harmonised EU entry), read 26 October 2026.
- Wikipedia — Nerol — published perfumery reference.
- Premiere Peau — Nerol — published perfumery reference.
- Perflavory (The Good Scents Company) — nerol — odour database.
- Olfactory profile: the RUŌOD Lab team's synthesis of the published descriptions above, reviewed 20 October 2026. Evidence: more than one published description. Classification and the short description: revision 1. Descriptions of odour are judgement, not measurement.