• Fresh citrus-waxy aldehyde with orange peel brightness
• Adds sparkle, radiance, and aldehydic lift to top notes
• Common in aldehydic florals, green mists, fougères, and barbershop colognes
• Useful for naturalizing citrus or floral openings in both modern and vintage perfumes
• Soluble in alcohol, oils, and DPG—works in attars, roll-ons, and sprays

Aldehyde C-9 (Nonanal) is a classic fatty aldehyde with a powerful fresh, waxy citrus-floral scent, often compared to orange peel, green florals, and a hint of soapy aldehydic sharpness. It is widely used in perfumery to create lift, radiance, and a clean citrus-floral character, especially in aldehydic florals, classic chypres, fresh mists, and barbershop-style colognes.

Its role is essential in providing top-note brilliance, and it transitions gracefully into floral and musky hearts.

INCI Name: Nonanal (Aldehyde C-9)
CAS Number: 124-19-6
Molecular Formula: C9H18O
Appearance: Clear, colorless liquid
Odor Description: Fresh waxy citrus, orange peel, aldehydic, floral-green
Purity: 98%+
Boiling Point: ~191°C
Flash Point: ~76°C
Density: ~0.83 g/cm³
Solubility: Soluble in alcohol, DPG, and carrier oils
Recommended Usage Level: 0.01%–2% in perfume concentrate
Category: Aldehydic-Citrus Modifier – Top Note – Perfumery Use

Use 0.1–1.5% in top notes to add aldehydic sparkle and clean citrus-floral brightness.

💡 To give your perfume a clean, radiant opening 🍊✨, use 0.1–1.5% Aldehyde C-9 in your top notes.
🌿 Combine with petitgrain, neroli, or violet leaf for green-floral freshness.
🌸 Blend with lily, rose, or cyclamen for vintage aldehydic florals.
🧼 Use with musk and sandalwood for classic soapy drydowns.
🔄 Rest your formula 2–4 days—aldehydes soften and integrate smoothly.
⚠️ Potent—start low and layer with softer top notes to balance the sharpness.

Q1: What does Aldehyde C-9 smell like?
It smells like fresh orange peel, with waxy, aldehydic, green-floral, and soapy nuances—bright and diffusive.

Q2: Is it natural or synthetic?
It occurs naturally in some essential oils but is used in synthetic form in perfumery for stability and intensity.

Q3: Can I use it in oil-based perfumes or attars?
Yes! It dissolves well in DPG, alcohol, and carrier oils, and works great in roll-ons, attars, and body sprays.

Q4: What types of perfumes benefit from it?
Perfect for aldehydic florals, fougères, citrus colognes, powdery florals, and clean unisex fragrances.

Q5: What does it blend well with?
Pairs beautifully with aldehyde C-10, petitgrain, bergamot, neroli, violet leaf, rose, muguet, and white musks.