Cyclamen Aldehyde

Description and usage notes:

Powerful and versatile, the odour is described as: floral cyclamen, fresh, rhubarb, Linden-blossom and green.  First developed by Givaudan and kept a secret for many years, this material was first produced in 1919.

Unlike many aldehydes it is stable in most media and its substantivity makes it very useful. Not quite as strong as most of the saturated aliphatic aldehydes, it is still best used in dilution.

Arctander describes it as “Diffusive and powerful floral-green, floral-stem like odor with pronounced vegetable Cucumber-Melon-like notes.

Overall resembling the odor of Lindenblossom. Extensively used in perfumery for floral effects, fresh-green-floral topnotes (of lasting fragrance), Useful in Lilac, Lily, Peony, Magnolia, Orangeblossom, Alpine Violet, etc. Blends well with the Ionones and all Rose notes.” 

Bedoukian says that it is “a valuable perfumery material possessing an odor reminiscent of cyclamen, lily-of-the-valley, lilac etc.  It has not been found in nature and is solely a product of the laboratory.

Cyclamen aldehyde is widely used in lily-of-the-valley type compounds and in many other compositions where a sweet, floral character is desired.  It is more stable than hydroxycitronellal and has a more powerful odor, although it lacks somewhat the tonality of the latter.  Unlike hydroxycitronellal, it is highly resistant to alkalis and is not irritating to the skin.

It is a powerful soap odorant with moderately good stability in soaps and detergents.  Large quantities are used in muguet and other floral blends, but overuse gives shrill odor effects.  It is non-discoloring.  The higher homolog (Lilial) is more stable and has a smoother, though less intense odor in soaps and detergents.”