This section provides an overview of nerol, covering its manufacturing processes and regulatory status, applications in food, fragrance, flavour, cosmetics, and emerging pharmaceutical industries. Also, please check out the introduction to nerol manufacturers, supply chain issues, nerol suppliers, and nerol prices. Sinofi can help you buy nerol at bulk wholesale prices based on FEMA 2770 and CAS 106-25-2.
Table of Contents
What is Nerol?
Nerol is a naturally occurring acyclic monoterpene alcohol, and it delivers a fresh, sweet, rose-like scent profile with distinct citrusy, green, and slightly wet-floral undertones. Nerol is the cis-isomer of geraniol. Within the flavour and fragrance industry, it occupies a valued position as a versatile aroma chemical. Nerol belongs to the monoterpenoid class of organic compounds. Its defining structural characteristic is the cis (Z) configuration of the double bond between carbon-2 and carbon-3, in contrast to the trans (E) configuration found in geraniol. Although the two isomers share identical molecular formulae and functional groups, this geometric isomerism imparts significant differences in their physical properties, odour profiles, and reactivity in formulation matrices. The hydroxyl group at the terminal carbon-1 position renders nerol a primary allylic alcohol, conferring typical alcohol reactivity, including esterification, oxidation, and acetylation. These reactions are exploited extensively in the synthesis of flavour-active derivatives such as neryl acetate and neryl formate, both of which serve important roles in compounding citrus, floral, and fruity flavour profiles. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), nerol is approved to be used in the flavour and fragrance industries.
Regulatory Status and Safety Considerations
Nerol has been evaluated by major regulatory bodies like JECFA, FIP, RIFM, ECHACHEM, NIST, IFRA, and WHO. It benefits from a well-established and favourable regulatory profile across all major jurisdictions governing the use of flavouring substances in food and consumer products.
- FEMA GRAS: GRAS No. 2770
- FDA Status (21 CFR): Listed as Generally Recognised as Safe (GRAS) for use as a flavouring agent
- JECFA: Evaluated and found acceptable as a flavouring agent; included in specifications
- Implementing Regulation (EU) No 872/2012: Listed as an authorised flavouring substance
- IFRA (Fragrance Use): Permitted with specified use limits depending on product category
- Council of Europe: Listed in the register of chemically-defined flavouring substances
- China GB 2760: Permitted food flavouring substance
- Japan JFFMA: Listed as an approved flavouring agent
- REACH Registration (EU): Registered substance; compliance with tonnage band obligations required for EU manufacturers/importers
It is important to note that while nerol itself holds broad regulatory approval, formulation engineers must always verify the regulatory status of any finished flavour composition in its entirety, including the compliance of all co-formulants, carriers, solvents, and processing aids used in conjunction with nerol.
Odor Threshold and Sensory Profile
Nerol presents a distinctive olfactory profile characterised by a fresh, sweet, rose-like topnote with pronounced citrus, green, and slightly waxy-floral undertones. Compared to geraniol, which tends toward a warmer, heavier, and more honey-like rose character, nerol offers a cooler, lighter, and more dewy-fresh interpretation of the rose theme. This subtle but meaningful difference makes nerol particularly valuable when formulators seek a cleaner, more transparent floral note without the heavier body associated with geraniol.
In perfumery terminology, nerol is typically classified as a floral-citrus modifier with fresh green facets. Its relatively good tenacity for a monoterpenoid alcohol allows it to contribute to both the heart and the top of a fragrance or flavour composition, bridging citrus brightness with floral depth.
In flavour applications, nerol contributes a sweet, floral, rose-petal taste with a noticeable citrus brightness and a faintly green, herbal background. The taste threshold of nerol in water is reported in the range of 300–500 ppb, placing it within the typical potency range for monoterpene alcohols. Its taste impact is clean and non-lingering, making it effective as a topnote contributor and freshness enhancer in flavour formulations.
Natural Occurrence
Nerol is widely distributed in nature, occurring as a constituent of numerous essential oils. Its presence is often accompanied by that of its geometric isomer geraniol, with the ratio between the two varying significantly across botanical species and even among cultivars of the same species. The following essential oils are recognized as significant natural sources of nerol.
| Essential Oil Source | Nerol Content (%) | Notes |
| Rose oil (Rosa damascena) | 5–12% | Premium source; co-occurs with geraniol and citronellol |
| Lemongrass oil (Cymbopogon spp.) | 1–5% | Minor constituent; dominated by citral isomers |
| Neroli oil (Citrus aurantium) | 1–8% | Named reference source; expensive extraction |
| Palmarosa oil (Cymbopogon martinii) | Trace–2% | Geraniol-dominant; nerol present as minor component |
| Citronella oil (Cymbopogon nardus) | 1–4% | Cost-effective natural source |
| Bergamot oil (Citrus bergamia) | 0.5–2% | Minor contributor to the bergamot profile |
| Melissa oil (Melissa officinalis) | 1–5% | High-value oil; nerol contributes to the lemon-floral note |
| Helichrysum oil (H. italicum) | 1–5% | Specialty source with complex terpene profile |
Commercial extraction of nerol from natural sources typically proceeds via fractional distillation of essential oils, particularly rose and neroli oils. However, the relatively low concentration of nerol in most essential oils and the high cost of premium botanical raw materials mean that synthetic and semi-synthetic production routes dominate the commercial supply chain. Industrial synthesis commonly employs selective partial hydrogenation of geraniol or stereoselective reduction of citral, yielding technical-grade nerol that meets the purity specifications required for F&F applications.
CAS No.: 106-25-2
According to the American Chemical Society, the CAS number of nerol is 106-25-2.
CAS Name: Nerol
Molecular Formula: C10H18O
Molecular Mass: 154.25
Appearance: Colorless, clear liquid.
JECFA Number: 1224
Food Chemicals Codex Listed: Yes
Boiling Point: 225.00 to 227.00 °C. @ 760.00 mm Hg
Solubility: Insoluble in water; soluble in chloroform, ether, and most fixed oils.
Other Names:
♦ 2,6-Octadien-1-ol, 3,7-dimethyl-, (2Z)-
♦ 2,6-Octadien-1-ol, 3,7-dimethyl-, (Z)-
♦ Nerol
♦ (2Z)-3,7-Dimethyl-2,6-octadien-1-ol
♦ cis-3,7-Dimethyl-2,6-octadien-1-ol
♦ cis-Geraniol
♦ Neryl alcohol
♦β-Nerol
♦ (Z)-Geraniol
♦ (Z)-3,7-Dimethyl-2,6-octadien-1-ol
♦ 3,7-Dimethyl-cis-2,6-octadien-1-ol
♦ (Z)-Nerol
Nerol Odor
Odor Strength: Medium.
Substantivity: 44 hours at 100.00 %.
Odor Description: At 100.00 %, sweet natural neroli, citrus magnolia.
FEMA Number 2770
According to the Flavour and Extract Manufacturers Association (FEMA), the FEMA number of nerol is 2770.
Bulk Nerol Manufacturers
The global nerol manufacturing is characterized by a concentrated group of producers spanning three key geographic hubs—Europe and China, each offering distinct competitive advantages. Top nerol manufacturers like BASF, DRT Firmenich, and NHU continue to invest in expanding their aroma ingredients production capacities. BASF and DRT lead the European premium and bio-based segments, manufacturing with strong multinational customer relationships and increasingly recognized sustainability credentials.
Sinofi is a bulk nerol manufacturer in China, and we have a manufacturing facility with 2,500 square meters for the production of nerol. We supply high-quality nerol at bulk prices and serve food, fragrance, flavour, cosmetics, and emerging pharmaceutical industries worldwide.
Manufacturing Process of Nerol
Nerol manufacturing encompasses a diverse array of synthetic, semi-synthetic, and biocatalytic production technologies, each with distinct advantages in terms of feedstock economics, stereoselective yield, and product purity.
Natural Occurrence and Isolation
Direct isolation of nerol from essential oils relies primarily on fractional vacuum distillation, exploiting the narrow but sufficient boiling point differential between geraniol (229–230 °C) and nerol (225–227 °C). In practice, the proximity of these boiling points necessitates the use of high-efficiency distillation columns operating at reduced pressure (typically 10–30 mmHg) with a large number of theoretical plates (40–60 or more).
Industrial Synthetic Manufacturing Routes
Selective Partial Hydrogenation of Linalool
One of the most widely practised industrial routes to nerol involves the selective partial reduction and rearrangement of linalool. Linalool is abundantly available as a commodity chemical derived from α-pinene or produced synthetically from acetylene and acetone via the Roche or BASF processes.
In this pathway, linalool is subjected to catalytic isomerization using copper-based or palladium-based catalysts at controlled temperatures (typically 150–250 °C) and moderate pressures. The isomerization proceeds through an allylic rearrangement mechanism, converting the tertiary allylic alcohol to a mixture of primary allylic alcohols—predominantly geraniol and nerol. The cis/trans selectivity is governed by the catalyst system, solvent, temperature, and residence time.
Reduction of Citral (Neral)
Citral, the aldehyde counterpart of the geraniol–nerol system, exists as a mixture of two geometric isomers: geranial (trans-citral, citral a) and neral (cis-citral, citral b). Selective reduction of the aldehyde functionality to the corresponding primary alcohol without affecting the C=C double bonds is a key industrial route for producing both geraniol and nerol.
The reduction is conducted using metal hydride reagents (sodium borohydride, lithium aluminium hydride) in batch processes, or more commonly at an industrial scale via catalytic hydrogenation over carefully selected heterogeneous catalysts. The preferred catalysts for selective C=O reduction while preserving C=C unsaturation include zinc oxide–modified copper catalysts, ruthenium on carbon, and bismuth-promoted palladium systems. Reaction conditions typically involve moderate hydrogen pressures (5–20 bar) and temperatures of 50–120 °C in polar protic or aprotic solvents.
The Myrcene–Based Route (via Geranyl Chloride/Linalyl Intermediates)
Myrcene (7-methyl-3-methyleneocta-1,6-diene), a key terpene hydrocarbon obtained from the pyrolysis of β-pinene, serves as a versatile C₁₀ feedstock for monoterpenoid synthesis. The classical route from myrcene to nerol proceeds through acid-catalysed addition of hydrogen chloride to yield a mixture of geranyl chloride (trans) and neryl chloride (cis). The ratio of these isomers is influenced by the reaction temperature, solvent polarity, and acid catalyst system, with lower temperatures generally favouring the cis (neryl) product. Hydrolysis of neryl chloride under alkaline conditions (aqueous sodium hydroxide or potassium carbonate) then affords nerol. This route has the advantage of using an inexpensive turpentine-derived feedstock (myrcene from β-pinene) and can be tuned for cis-selectivity.
Wittig and Horner–Wadsworth–Emmons (HWE) Olefination
For specialised applications requiring very high isomeric purity, Wittig-type olefination offers a stereocontrolled synthetic approach. In this route, 6-methylhept-5-en-2-one (methyl heptenone) is reacted with an appropriate phosphonium ylide or phosphonate ester to install the C2–C3 double bond with defined (Z)-geometry. The classical Wittig reaction using non-stabilised ylides tends to deliver the (Z)-alkene (nerol skeleton) preferentially, in accordance with the Schlosser modification principles. The Horner–Wadsworth–Emmons variant, when conducted under Still–Gennari conditions (using bis(trifluoroethyl)phosphonoacetate with KHMDS and 18-crown-6), can achieve Z/E selectivities exceeding 95:5. Subsequent reduction of the ester group to the primary alcohol completes the synthesis of nerol.
Bulk Nerol Suppliers
The global nerol supply is shaped by a small group of specialized manufacturers concentrated in China, France, and Germany, supported by a broader network of regional distributors. Top nerol suppliers like BASF, DRT Firmenich, and NHU have strengthened their global distribution reach and their access to complementary R&D capabilities in fine fragrance and flavour innovation. Beyond primary suppliers, a network of global distributors plays an essential role in making nerol accessible at varied volumes and purity grades.
Sinofi is a bulk nerol supplier in China, and we have a warehouse with 1,200 square meters for high-quality nerol. We sell different grades of nerol at wholesale prices, serving end-users in food, fragrance, flavour, cosmetics, and emerging pharmaceutical industries.
Supply Chain of Nerol
The nerol supply chain can be conceptualized as a multi-tiered system linking upstream raw material producers to downstream end-use industries. The chain is distinguished by two parallel production pathways—natural extraction and chemical synthesis—that converge at the distributor and blender level before diverging again into specific application sectors.
Supply Chain Structure
Raw Material Origins
The foundational tier of the nerol supply chain is divided between agricultural and petrochemical feedstock origins. On the natural side, nerol is isolated from essential oils rich in the compound, principally lemongrass oil (Cymbopogon species), palmarosa oil (Cymbopogon martinii), rose oil (Rosa damascena), and neroli oil (Citrus aurantium). The geraniol/nerol content in these oils varies significantly: palmarosa oil can contain up to 75–80% geraniol with a meaningful nerol fraction, while lemongrass oil typically yields 2–5% nerol alongside geranial and neral.
Primary Processing and Manufacturing
At the primary processing level, the supply chain diverges into two distinct manufacturing approaches. Natural nerol production relies on steam distillation of plant biomass to obtain essential oils, followed by fractional distillation or vacuum distillation to isolate nerol from chemically similar terpene alcohols (principally geraniol). Synthetic nerol manufacturing utilizes well-established organic synthesis routes. The most common industrial pathway involves the selective partial reduction of citral to a nerol-geraniol mixture, followed by isomeric separation. Alternative routes include Meerwein–Ponndorf–Verley reduction and catalytic hydrogenation of neral (cis-citral) under controlled conditions.
Distribution and Logistics
Nerol moves through the distribution tier via a combination of direct manufacturer-to-customer relationships and intermediary channels. Large-volume consumers such as global fragrance houses (Givaudan, IFF, Symrise, Firmenich) typically procure directly from manufacturers under long-term supply agreements. Mid-market and smaller formulators access nerol through speciality chemical distributors and regional F&F distributors.
Blenders, Compounders, and Formulators
The blending and compounding tier sits at the critical juncture between raw aroma chemicals and finished consumer or industrial products. Fragrance compounders incorporate nerol into complex accords and bases used in fine fragrances, personal care products, household cleaners, and air-care formulations. Flavour formulators integrate food-grade nerol into flavouring compositions for beverages, confectionery, baked goods, and savoury applications where a fresh, rose-citrus character is desired.
End-Use Industries
The final tier of the supply chain encompasses the end-use industries that incorporate nerol-containing formulations into consumer-facing and industrial products. The primary demand sectors include fine fragrance and prestige beauty, personal care and toiletries (soaps, lotions, shampoos), household and institutional cleaning products, food and beverage flavouring, pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications.
Wholesale and Buy Nerol in Bulk
Successful bulk procurement of nerol hinges on thorough supplier qualification, precise technical specifications, strategic volume consolidation, and proactive risk management. By applying the sourcing strategies, quality benchmarks, and commercial best practices, nerol buyers can secure reliable, cost-competitive supply while maintaining the regulatory compliance and quality assurance standards that their downstream customers and formulation teams require.
Supplier Qualification and Auditing
When you begin the selection of nerol suppliers, you should evaluate respondents against criteria including: manufacturing capacity, ISO certifications, COA data, etc. On-site or virtual facility audits should be completed before awarding any initial contract.
Volume Consolidation and Contract Strategy
Consolidating annual volume requirements into a single or dual-source supply agreement significantly improves negotiating leverage. For nerol buyers consuming 500 kg or more per year, a twelve-month blanket purchase agreement with quarterly call-offs provides supply predictability.
As a bulk nerol manufacturer and supplier in China, we wholesale this ingredient to end users in food, fragrance, flavour, cosmetics, and emerging pharmaceutical industries. We also supply nerol to small customers. Normally, they want to buy nerol in small quantities. To serve them, we can sell nerol at bulk prices and provide a one-stop purchasing service.
Nerol Prices (USD/Kg)
Flavour Grade Nerol Prices (GC Content >=98%)
| Volume | Unit Price | Shipment |
| 50g | 9 USD | Express |
| 500g | 45 USD | Express |
| 1Kg | 65 USD/Kg | Express |
| 20Kg | >=25% cheaper | Express |
| 100Kg-Above | negotiable | Express / Sea |
Synthetic fragrance-grade nerol (≥98% purity) represents the commercial workhorse. Bulk nerol price clusters around 25–65 USD/kg based on trade data and supplier catalog extrapolation. Food-grade (FCC-certified) nerol price commands 70–100 USD/kg due to additional documentation and quality requirements. Natural nerol isolates exist in an entirely different pricing tier. Natural nerol price (isolated from Red Bergamot essential oil) commands roughly $545/kg. This price is 10 times that of synthetic grade, reflecting the inherent scarcity of natural extraction. For procurement teams, this premium is the cost of “natural” claims on finished products.
Regional price differentials are meaningful. North American buyers face higher landed costs than European counterparts for two reasons: new U.S. tariffs introduced in August 2025 (10–50% on de minimis imports) directly affect Chinese-sourced material, and longer shipping routes from Asian producers add freight costs. European buyers benefit from proximity to BASF’s Ludwigshafen production and intra-EU supply from DRT, though elevated European energy costs have pushed synthetic production economics upward since 2022.
Furthermore, the above nerol price quotations do not include the express shipping fee. The reason is that the shipment cost may exceed the sample value of nerol. However, the bulk wholesale prices of nerol will be much lower than those of small orders. Please contact us for more details.
Nerol Specification
| Appearance | Colorless, clear liquid. |
| Odor: | Sweet natural neroli, citrus magnolia. |
| Purity (GC) | >=98% |
| Density (20°C) | 0.872 – 0.880 |
| Refractive index @ 20°C | 1.467 – 1.478 |
Nerol Uses
Nerol is miscible with most organic solvents, including ethanol, propylene glycol, and fixed oils, making it straightforward to incorporate into both alcoholic and oil-based formulations. Its moderate volatility (intermediate between top-note and heart-note terpenoids) contributes to good diffusion from a fragrance blend while retaining adequate tenacity on treated surfaces.
Flavour Applications
General Food Flavouring
In food flavouring, nerol is valued for its mild, fresh, rosy-citrus taste profile, which complements and enhances a range of fruit and floral flavour systems at low dosage levels. Common applications include non-alcoholic beverages, where nerol contributes a subtle floral lift to lychee, rose, peach, and mixed-citrus flavours. Nerol also finds use in premium baked goods, dairy products, and frozen desserts where a delicate floral note is desired without the heaviness that higher-impact rose chemicals can impart.
Alcoholic Beverages
Nerol is a natural constituent of hop oil and contributes to the aromatic complexity of certain beer styles, particularly those brewed with late-addition or dry-hopping techniques using hop varieties rich in terpenols. Beyond brewing, nerol is used in flavouring formulations for botanical spirits, floral liqueurs, and craft cocktail syrups.
Fragrance Applications
Fine Fragrance
In fine fragrance, nerol serves as a key building block in rose, neroli, magnolia, and citrus-floral accords. Its lighter, greener profile compared to geraniol allows perfumers to create rose notes that feel fresher, more modern, and less heavy. Nerol is frequently paired with citronellol, geraniol, phenylethyl alcohol, and linalool to construct naturalistic rose bouquets with controlled sweetness. Nerol is also an effective modifier in citrus compositions, where it provides a natural floral transition between top-note citrus oils and heart-note florals.
Functional Fragrance
In functional applications such as soaps, detergents, fabric softeners, and household cleaners, nerol offers moderate stability and acceptable cost-performance characteristics. While it is not as chemically robust as some synthetic musks or woody aroma chemicals, its stability under mildly alkaline conditions (pH 8–9) is sufficient for many soap and detergent bases when appropriately formulated.
Aromatherapy and Wellness Applications
Nerol is a component of several essential oils used in aromatherapy practice, including rose otto, neroli, and palmarosa. Within the aromatherapy tradition, nerol-containing oils are associated with calming, anti-anxiety, and mood-balancing properties. Aromatherapists typically use nerol-rich essential oils in diffuser blends, massage oil formulations, and bath preparations intended to promote relaxation and emotional wellbeing. In commercial wellness product lines, nerol contributes to pillow sprays, room mists, and roll-on aromatherapy blends.
Nerol Benefits
Blending and Formulation Advantages
Nerol exhibits excellent blending compatibility with a wide range of aroma chemicals and essential oils. It harmonises readily with linalool, citronellol, geraniol, and various terpene esters, serving as a highly effective modifier and bridge note. In top-note accords, nerol introduces freshness without excessive volatility, while in heart-note compositions it enhances the body and roundness of floral bouquets.
Antimicrobial Activity
Nerol has demonstrated broad-spectrum antimicrobial properties in laboratory settings. Studies have shown activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, as well as certain fungal species. Its mechanism of action is believed to involve disruption of microbial cell membrane integrity, leading to increased membrane permeability and subsequent cell death.
Anti-Inflammatory Properties
Preclinical research has indicated that nerol may exert anti-inflammatory effects by modulating key inflammatory mediators, including the inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6. Animal model studies have shown reduced oedema and tissue inflammation following nerol administration.
Antioxidant Capacity
Nerol has exhibited antioxidant activity in several in vitro assay systems, including DPPH radical scavenging and lipid peroxidation inhibition tests. By neutralizing free radicals and reducing oxidative stress, nerol may help protect cellular structures from oxidative damage.
Nerol in E-Liquid and Vaping Products
Nerol represents a compound of growing interest to e-liquid formulators. It offers a distinctly different olfactory character—delivering fresher, more transparent floral-citrus notes with subtle green and metallic facets—making it uniquely suited to specific flavour profiles in the vaping space.
Dosage and Usage Levels
In e-liquid formulation, nerol is typically employed at concentrations ranging from 0.05% to 1.5% of the total e-liquid volume, depending on the target flavour profile and the complexity of the overall flavouring blend. As a supporting flavour modifier rather than a dominant lead note, nerol is most effective at sub-percentage levels (0.05–0.5%) where it imparts freshness, green-floral lift, and complexity without overwhelming the primary flavour architecture. Higher concentrations (0.5–1.5%) may be appropriate in dedicated floral or citrus-forward profiles where nerol serves as a more prominent character contributor.
Regulatory Landscape
The regulatory framework for flavouring ingredients in e-liquids varies significantly by jurisdiction. In the United States, the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act regulates e-cigarettes and e-liquids as tobacco products, and manufacturers must submit Premarket Tobacco Product Applications (PMTAs) that include detailed ingredient information and toxicological data. The European Union regulates e-liquids under the Tobacco Products Directive (TPD 2014/40/EU), which imposes restrictions on nicotine concentration, tank size, and ingredient notification requirements, while individual member states may impose additional flavour bans.
A Synthetic Jasmine Fragrance Using Nerol
Include the following ingredients (by weight):
Cis-3-hexenol, 0.5; trans-2-hexenol, 0.1; Benzaldehyde, 0.5; Linalool oxide, 0.05; Methyl benzoate, 0.1; Phenethyl alcohol, 0.3; Linalool, 0.5; Ethyl benzoate, 6; Methyl salicylate, 0.2; Cis-3-hexenyl butyrate, 0.2; Nerol, 0.2; Phenyl ethyl acetate, 0.01; Geraniol, 0.2; Indole, 1; Methyl anthranilate, 1; Eugenol, 0.1; Geranyl acetate, 0.1; Cis-3-hexenyl hexanoate, 0.3; Methyl dihydrojasmonate, 0.6; Ethyl maltol, 2; cis-Jasmone, 0.1; Methyl heptenone, 0.02; Methyl N-methylanthranilate, 0.14; Methyl jasmonate, 0.55; Benzyl benzoate, 0.5; Nootkatone, 0.01; Benzyl salicylate, 0.22; Methyl linoleate, 0.01; Methyl oleate, 0.01; Jasmine absolute, 0.2; Ethanol, 84.3.
In conclusion, nerol has become one of the most commercially significant ingredients across the food, fragrance, flavour, cosmetics, and emerging pharmaceutical industries. As a bulk nerol manufacturer and supplier in China, we sell different grades of nerol at wholesale prices to clients around the world.