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citronella oil
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citronella oil

chemistry
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Written by
William H. Brown
Emeritus Professor of Chemistry, Beloit College, Wisconsin.
William H. Brown
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citronella oil, member of a class of naturally occurring organic substances called terpenes. Citronella oil is obtained from the leaves of the oil grasses Cymbopogon nardus and C. winterianus. The oil has a wide range of uses, from medicines to perfumes for soaps. Two derivatives of citronella oil include the alcohol citronellol and the aldehyde citronellal.

Structures of citronellol and citronellal. chemical compound

William H. Brown