Tetrahydrogeraniol

What Tetrahydrogeraniol smells like

Tetrahydrogeraniol (3,7-dimethyloctan-1-ol) is a fresh, rose-like alcohol with a mild waxy background and a slight citrus note, in BASF's description. Other sources describe a waxy, rose-petal-like odour, sweet and rosy, with soapy and clean nuances. It has been identified in citrus oils. Because it is fully hydrogenated it is very stable, which is why it is used in detergents and household products.

Leading note

Waxy rose

Supporting facets

Citrus, soapy, clean

Character

Clean, waxy, stable, simple

• rosy
• waxy
• citrus
• clean

What makes Tetrahydrogeraniol distinctive

A rose built for harsh conditions: simpler and waxier than citronellol and geraniol, but unaffected by bleach and alkali.

How Tetrahydrogeraniol is used

Used as a stable rose note in detergent, household and other functional fragrances.

Typical role: blender (smooths the joins between other materials).

How Tetrahydrogeraniol differs from similar materials

Citronellol

Citronellol is fresher and more natural; tetrahydrogeraniol is flatter and waxier, but far more stable.

Each difference compares the published descriptions of the two materials. Smell varies with grade, supplier and dilution; compare them side by side on blotters before substituting one for another.

Identity and classification

Type

Aroma chemical

Origin

Synthetic

Odour family

Floral / Citrus

Note position

Heart note

Physical form at room temperature

Liquid

Also known as

3,7-Dimethyloctan-1-ol, Dihydrocitronellol

CAS number

106-21-8

Molecular formula

C10H22O

Molecular weight

158.28 g/mol

IUPAC name

3,7-dimethyloctan-1-ol

The CAS number, formula and molecular weight are taken from PubChem compound 7792, 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 (1,818 reports): H315 causes skin irritation (96.5% of reports); H319 causes serious eye irritation (93.8% of reports); H411 toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects (93.1% of reports). 63 of the reports find it does not meet the hazard criteria. 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

• Citronellol

  Aroma chemical · Floral / Green — rosy, fresh, citrus, waxy

• Geraniol

  Aroma chemical · Floral / Citrus — rosy, sweet, citrus, fresh

• Phenylethyl Alcohol

  Aroma chemical · Floral / Green — rose, honeyed, soft, floral

• Rose Oxide

  Aroma chemical · Floral / Metallic — metallic, green, geranium, rosy

Used in formulas and accords

Used in 1 published formula

Tetrahydrogeraniol is an ingredient in 1 perfume formula in the Formula & Accord Library.

RUŌOD House Originals

Original compositions by RUŌOD House.

• Rose Graphite

  RUŌOD House Creation

Further reading

• How to Make a Rose Accord

  Build a rose accord from phenylethyl alcohol, citronellol and geraniol, add acetates and powerful traces from dilutions, and balance it by ratio trials.

• Perfume Materials by Odor Family: A Formulator's Palette Map

  Which materials build each odor family — citrus, floral, woody, amber, musk and more — their usual roles, what to watch for, and links to each in depth.

Questions about Tetrahydrogeraniol

Sources

• PubChem — compound 7792, checked 19 October 2026.
• PubChem — GHS classification (the ECHA C&L Inventory notifications and any harmonised EU entry), read 26 October 2026.
• BASF Aroma Ingredients — Tetrahydrogeraniol — manufacturer's description.
• Parchem — Tetrahydrogeraniol — distributor's description.
• Fraterworks — tetrahydrogeraniol — distributor's description.
• 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.