l-Laurinal: The Fresh Floral and Green Molecule Enhancing Muguet and Lilac Accords

Galbora
2 days ago
3 min read

l-Laurinal: A Floral, Green, and Sweet Characteristic in Fragrance Creation

l-Laurinal (also known as l-Hydroxycitronellal) is a highly versatile molecule in the world of perfumery, especially prized for its floral and green notes, with a slight sweetness that enhances the overall freshness of fragrances. It plays a crucial role in the creation of floral accords, particularly in compositions evoking the delicate aromas of muguet (lily of the valley) and lilac.

This nature-identical compound adds a refined and authentic floral note to perfumes, making it a valuable ingredient in fine fragrances, personal care products, and household items.

Chemical Structure and Properties

IUPAC Name: (S)-7-Hydroxy-3,7-dimethyloctanal
Molecular Formula: C₁₀H₂₀O₂
CAS Number: 107-75-5 / 34212-53-8
FEMA / GRAS No.: 2583
Flash Point: 126 °C
Molecular Weight: 172.27 g/mol
CLogP: 2.11
Vapor Pressure: 0.77 Pa at 25 °C
Optical Rotation: –13.2° to –11.8°

Aromatic Profile

Main Notes: Floral, Muguet (Lily of the Valley), Green, Sweet
Character: Fresh, Clean, Green, Subtle Floral
Scent Description: l-Laurinal offers a soft, sweet floral note with a green, slightly herbaceous nuance. It is reminiscent of the scent of lily of the valley or fresh lilac blooms, combined with a clean, green note that adds depth and vibrancy to floral compositions.

Occurrence in Nature

l-Laurinal is found naturally in large cardamom (Amomum subulatum Roxb.), a plant known for its aromatic properties, particularly in the volatile oils derived from its seeds.

Stability and Performance in Different Applications

Fine Fragrance: Good stability
Fabric Softener (pH 3): Good stability
Antiperspirants (pH 3.5): Fair stability
Toiletries (pH 6): Fair stability
Liquid Detergent (pH 9): Fair stability
Soap (pH 10): Poor stability
Powder Detergent (pH 11): Poor stability
Bleach (pH 14): Poor stability

Substantivity & Tenacity

Skin: Poor substantivity
Dry Fabric: Poor substantivity
Wet Fabric: Poor substantivity
Hair: Poor substantivity
Tenacity on Blotter:
- Hours: > 24
- Days: 0
- Weeks: 0

Bloom Diffusivity

l-Laurinal is highly diffusive, meaning it can spread rapidly and create a pronounced, noticeable fragrance in the air. This characteristic makes it ideal for perfumes or products where a soft but prominent floral note is desired.

Typical Use Level

l-Laurinal is typically used in concentrations of less than 5% in formulations. This allows its delicate floral and green nuances to blend seamlessly into a wider range of products without overpowering other notes in the fragrance.

Applications in Perfumery

l-Laurinal is commonly used in floral compositions, particularly in accords inspired by muguet (lily of the valley) and lilac, where it enhances the natural green, floral aspects. It can also be used in:

Floral perfumes: Adding depth and freshness.
Soaps and toiletries: To impart a clean, natural floral note.
Fabric softeners: Contributing to a fresh, floral clean scent.

Due to its low substantivity on skin and fabrics, l-Laurinal is most effective in products where its volatility and fresh scent are emphasized rather than its long-lasting properties.

Pros and Cons of l-Laurinal

Pros:

Floral, Green, and Sweet Aroma: Ideal for creating fresh, natural floral fragrances with a green twist.
Nature Identical: l-Laurinal is a nature-identical compound, meaning it mimics a naturally occurring scent, making it appealing in fine fragrances.
High Diffusivity: Helps create perfumes with a noticeable and airy floral presence.

Cons:

Poor Substantivity: It does not have a strong lasting power on skin or fabric, which limits its use in products requiring long-term fragrance retention.
Stability in High pH Products: It is unstable in high pH products such as soaps and bleaches, which means it may not be suitable for these types of applications.

Conclusion

l-Laurinal is a versatile floral molecule widely used in the fragrance industry for its delicate, sweet floral notes with green, fresh undertones. Its primary applications are in muguet and lilac accords, where it enhances the composition with its light, airy fragrance. While it offers excellent diffusivity and a refined floral profile, its limited substantivity and poor stability in high pH products can be a drawback. Nevertheless, for fine fragrances and personal care products that emphasize natural, fresh florals, l-Laurinal remains a popular and effective choice.

This article was researched and written by Galbora.

Use of this content is permitted when citing the source.