Citronellols

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. Compounds belonging to a group of natural alcohols found in essential oils characterized by a woody, floral scent utilized in fragrances and insect repellents
2. Natural organic molecules classified as alcohols derived from plants, notable for their citrus aroma and commonly used in perfumes and as insect deterrents
3. Aromatic chemical substances part of the alcohol group originating from botanical sources, valued for their lemon-like fragrance and application in scent and pest control products

Etymology: "Citronellols" is simply the plural of "citronellol," one of a family of terpene alcohols found in the essential oils of plants such as citronella grass, lemon-scented eucalyptus, and some roses. The name combines "citronella," the lemony-smelling oil of the citronella grass, with the chemical suffix "-ol," which marks an alcohol. Chemists use the plural when referring to the several closely related compounds of this type, each differing slightly in structure. The first half of the word comes from "citronella," itself formed from "citron," the fruit that gives its name to the citrus smell. The second half is a purely technical ending borrowed from the systematic naming of organic compounds, so the word reads like a recipe: a lemon scent, plus the mark of an alcohol.

Synonyms: citronellol, alcohols, terpenoid alcohols, fragrant oils, essential oils