What is the Difference Between Geraniol and Nerol

The key difference between geraniol and nerol is that geraniol is the cis isomer of C10H18O, whereas nerol is the trans isomer of C10H18O.

Geraniol is a type of monoterpenoid and an alcoholic compound having the chemical formula C10H18O. Nerol is a monoterpenoid alcoholic compound having the chemical formula C10H18O, and it is an isomer of the geraniol compound. Therefore, these compounds share some similarities as well as differences.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Geraniol  
3. What is Nerol
4. Similarities Between Geraniol and Nerol
5. Geraniol vs Nerol in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Geraniol vs Nerol

What is Geraniol?

Geraniol is a type of monoterpenoid and an alcoholic compound having the chemical formula C10H18O. We can identify it as the primary component of rose oil and palmarosa oil. It usually occurs as a colorless oil, but it appears as a yellow-colored oil when it comes to the commercial scale. Moreover, the solubility of geraniol in water is low. However, it dissolves well in organic solvents. Geraniol can form a functional group known as geranyl.

We can find geraniol in small quantities in geranium, lemon, and various other essential oils. It has a rose-like scent, which makes it important in manufacturing perfumes. In addition, it is a useful flavor component to get flavors such as peach, raspberry, grapefruit, red apple, watermelon, lemon, plum, lime, orange, and pineapple.

Typically, geraniol forms in scent-glands of honeybees that can find nectar-bearing flowers and locate the entrances to their hives. Moreover, this is a common component in insect repellent products such as mosquito repellents.

Biochemically, geraniol is useful in the biosynthesis of terpenes such as myrcene and ocumene through the dehydration and isomerization of geraniol.

What is Nerol?

Nerol is a monoterpenoid alcoholic compound having the chemical formula, C10H18O, and it is an isomer of geraniol compounds. It is an important component of essential oils such as lemongrass and hops. Originally, this substance was isolated from neroli oil, which gives it its name. This is a colorless liquid mainly useful in the perfume industry. Similar to geraniol, nerol also has a rose-like odor though it is fresher than the odor of geraniol.

Nerol is the trans isomer of geraniol. We can also name it as the E-isomer of geraniol. Moreover, nerol can readily release water to form dipentene. In addition, we can synthesize nerol through the pyrolysis of beta-pinene that can afford myrcene. Furthermore, the hydrochlorination of myrcene can give a series of isomeric chlorides that can convert into neryl acetate.

What are the Similarities Between Geraniol and Nerol?

1. Geraniol and Nerol are monoterpenoids.
2. They are alcoholic compounds.
3. Both are important in the perfume industry.
4. Both geraniol and nerol have a rose-like odor.

What is the Difference Between Geraniol and Nerol?

Geraniol and nerol are isomers of each other. Therefore, they share many similarities as well as some differences. The key difference between geraniol and nerol is that geraniol is the cis isomer of C10H18O whereas nerol is the trans isomer of C10H18O. Moreover, the rose-like odor of nerol feels more fresh than the rose-like odor of geraniol.

Below is a summary of the difference between geraniol and nerol in tabular form for side by side comparison.

Summary – Geraniol vs Nerol

Geraniol and nerol are isomers of each other. The key difference between geraniol and nerol is that geraniol is the cis isomer of C10H18O, whereas nerol is the trans isomer of C10H18O.

Reference:

1. “Geraniol.” National Center for Biotechnology Information. PubChem Compound Database, U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Geraniol structure” By Edgar181 – Own work (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Nerol structure” By User:Innerstream – Own work (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia