Linalool

Linalool	Last updated: 08/09/2025
(Also known as: linalol; para-linalool; linalyl alcohol; licareol; coriandrol)

GENERAL INFORMATION

Description

A plant derived oil used for parasite control and for its mild sedative properties

Examples of veterinary uses

Used mainly as an insect repellent and for the control of fleas.

Examples of species treated

Dogs; Cats

Approval status

VMR 2013/2033 approval status (GB/UK)

Not approved

EU Regulatory approval status

Not approved

Chemical structure

Isomerism

Linalool exhibits optical isomerism, specifically chirality, due to the presence of a single chiral centre at the third carbon atom in its structure. This gives rise to two enantiomers: (R)-linalool and (S)-linalool. These enantiomers occur naturally in different plants; (R)-linalool is found in lavender and basil, while (S)-linalool is prominent in coriander and sweet orange.

Chemical formula

C₁₀H₁₈O

Canonical SMILES

CC(=CCCC(C)(C=C)O)C

Isomeric SMILES

No data

International Chemical Identifier key (InChIKey)

CDOSHBSSFJOMGT-UHFFFAOYSA-N

International Chemical Identifier (InChI)

InChI=1S/C10H18O/c1-5-10(4,11)8-6-7-9(2)3/h5,7,11H,1,6,8H2,2-4H3

2D structure diagram/image available?

Yes

General status

Veterinary substance type

Insecticide

Substance groups

Plant-derived substance

Minimum active substance purity

>99%

Known relevant impurities

Substance origin

Natural

Mode of action

Contact poision for insects causing a neurotoxic effect

Molecular targets

[Glutamatergic transmission, Antagonist], [Glutamate [NMDA] receptor subunit 3A, Antagonist]

CAS RN

78-70-6

EC number

201-134-4

CIPAC number

US EPA chemical code

128838

PubChem CID

Therapeutic Class

Ectoparasiticides: Various repellents

ATCvet Code

None allocated

Controlled Drug?

Regulation 37/2010 MRL Classification

Molecular mass

154.25

PIN (Preferred Identification Name)

IUPAC name

3,7-dimethylocta-1,6-dien-3-ol

CAS name

2,6-dimethyl-2,7-octadien-6-ol

Forever chemical

Other status information

FLAVIS no. 02.013

Relevant Environmental Water Quality Standards

Physical state

Colourless, clear liquid

Commercial

Property

Product

Manufacturer

Authorisation Route

Legal Class (GB/UK)

Availability status

Current

Introduction & key dates

1985, first approved for use USA

Example products (past and present) using this active

Holiday Concentrated Dog and Cat Shampoo

Wellmark International Ltd

Not licensed

Formulation and application details

Commercial production

Linalool is produced commercially through both natural extraction and synthetic methods, depending on the desired purity, cost, and application. Naturally, it is extracted from essential oils of plants like lavender, coriander, and rosewood via steam distillation, which isolates the volatile compounds. Synthetic production involves converting alpha-pinene, a major component of turpentine oil, into cis-2-pinanol, which is then thermally isomerised at high temperatures to yield linalool. Alternatively, linalool can be biosynthesised using genetically engineered Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast strains, which are modified to enhance the mevalonate pathway and produce high levels of isoprenoid precursors, ultimately leading to linalool formation.

Impact on climate of production and use

While exact CO₂e values are not published for specific pheromones, some general information is available. The PHERA reported that biotechnological production (e.g. yeast fermentation) of pheromones can reduce GHG emissions by up to 90% compared to traditional chemical synthesis and GHG emissions are typically in the 5 to 10 kg CO₂e per kg of pheromone produced. Other sources suggest that small scale pheromone synthesis typically has emissions in the range 1 – 3 kg CO₂e per kg of pheromone produced.

ENVIRONMENTAL FATE

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Solubility - In water at 20 °C (mg l⁻¹)

1589

High

Solubility - In organic solvents at 20 °C (mg l⁻¹)

Melting point (°C)

<25

Boiling point (°C)

194

Degradation point (°C)

Flashpoint (°C)

78.3

Octanol-water partition coefficient at pH 7, 20 °C

1.91 X 10⁰³

Calculated

Log P

3.28

High

Fat solubility of residues

Solubility

Data type

Density (g ml⁻¹)

1.46

Dissociation constant pKa) at 25 °C

Vapour pressure at 20 °C (mPa)

Henry's law constant at 25 °C (Pa m³ mol⁻¹)

Volatilisation as max % of applied dose lost

From plant surface

From soil surface

Maximum UV-vis absorption L mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹

Surface tension (mN m⁻¹)

Refractive Index

1.460

Environmental release

Degradation

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Soil degradation (days) (aerobic)

DT₅₀ (typical)

DT₅₀ (lab at 20 °C)

DT₅₀ (field)

DT₉₀ (lab at 20 °C)

DT₉₀ (field)

Note

Manure DT₅₀ (days)

Aqueous photolysis DT₅₀ (days) at pH 7

Value

Note

Aqueous hydrolysis DT₅₀ (days) at 20 °C and pH 7

Value

Note

Water-sediment DT₅₀ (days)

Water phase only DT₅₀ (days)

Sediment phase only DT₅₀ (days)

Air degradation

As this parameter is not normally measured directly, a surrogate measure is used: ‘Photochemical oxidative DT₅₀’. Where data is available, this can be found in the Fate Indices section below.

Decay in stored produce DT₅₀

Soil adsorption and mobility

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Linear

K_d (mL g⁻¹)

K_oc (mL g⁻¹)

Notes and range

Freundlich

K_f (mL g⁻¹)

K_foc (mL g⁻¹)

¹/_n

Notes and range

pH sensitivity

Fate indices

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

GUS leaching potential index

Bio-concentration factor

BCF (l kg⁻¹)

Low risk

Based on LogP < 3

Low risk

CT₅₀ (days)

Known metabolites

None

ECOTOXICOLOGY

Terrestrial ecotoxicology

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

> 1700

Rat

Moderate

Mammals - Short term dietary NOEL

(mg kg⁻¹)

(ppm diet)

Mammals - Chronic 21d NOAEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

Birds - Acute LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

> 5620

Colinus virginianus

Low

Birds - Short term dietary (LC₅₀/LD₅₀)

Birds - Chronic 21d NOEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

Earthworms - Acute 14 day LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

> 200

Unknown species predicted

Moderate

Earthworms - Chronic NOEC, reproduction (mg kg⁻¹)

Soil micro-organisms

Collembola

Acute LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

Chronic NOEC (mg kg⁻¹)

Non-target plants

Vegetative vigour ER₅₀ (g ha⁻¹)

Seedling emergence ER₅₀ (g ha⁻¹)

Honeybees (Apis spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

> 100

Low

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Unknown mode acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Chronic

Notes

Bumblebees (Bombus spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Mason bees (Osmia spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Other bee species (1)

Acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg insect⁻¹)

Mode of exposure

Other bee species (2)

Acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg insect⁻¹)

Mode of exposure

Beneficial insects (Ladybirds)

Beneficial insects (Lacewings)

Beneficial insects (Parasitic wasps)

Beneficial insects (Predatory mites)

Beneficial insects (Ground beetles)

Aquatic ecotoxicology

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Temperate Freshwater Fish - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

> 28.8

Oncorhynchus mykiss

Moderate

Temperate Freshwater Fish - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l⁻¹)

< 3.5

Oncorhynchus mykiss

Moderate

Tropical Freshwater Fish - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Temperate Freshwater Aquatic invertebrates - Acute 48 hour EC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

36.7

Unknown species

Moderate

Temperate Freshwater Aquatic invertebrates - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l⁻¹)

Tropical Freshwater Aquatic invertebrates - Acute 48 hour EC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Aquatic crustaceans - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Sediment dwelling organisms - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Sediment dwelling organisms - Chronic 28 day NOEC, static, water (mg l⁻¹)

Sediment dwelling organisms - Chronic 28 day NOEC, sediment (mg kg⁻¹)

Aquatic Plants (free-floating, fonds growth, fresh) - 7 day (mg l⁻¹)

Aquatic plants (rooted, growth rate, fresh) - 14 day (mg l⁻¹)

Algae - Acute (growth rate, fresh; mg l⁻¹) (EC₅₀)

88.3

Desmodesmus subspicatus

Low

Algae - Chronic (growth rate, fresh; mg l⁻¹)

Mesocosm study data

NOEAEC mg l⁻¹

Marine bivalves

HUMAN HEALTH AND PROTECTION

General

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Threshold of Toxicological Concern (Cramer Class)

High (class III)

Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

> 1700

Rat

Moderate

Mammals - Dermal LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹ body weight)

5610

Rabbit

Mammals - Inhalation LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

2.95

Rat

Other Mammal toxicity endpoints

Intraperitoneal LD₅₀ = 340 mg kg⁻¹

Mouse

Subcutaneous LD₅₀ = 1470 mg kg⁻¹

Mouse

ADI - Acceptable Daily Intake (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

ARfD - Acute Reference Dose (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

AAOEL - Acute Acceptable Operator Exposure Level (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

AOEL - Acceptable Operator Exposure Level - Systemic (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

Dermal penetration studies (%)

Dangerous Substances Directive 76/464

Exposure Routes

Public

Occupational

Mammalian dose elimination route and rate

Mainly excreted in urine and bile

Health issues

Specific human health issues

Carcinogen

Genotoxic

Endocrine disruptor

; ; ; ;

Reproduction / development effects

Acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor

Neurotoxicant

Respiratory tract irritant

Skin irritant

Skin sensitiser

Eye irritant

Phototoxicant

No data found

General human health issues

Some texts claim it is an anti-cancer agent
May cause respiratory and digestive tract irritation

Handling issues

Property

Value and interpretation

General

Combustable liquid and vapour

CLP classification 2013

WHO Classification

Not listed (Not listed)

UN Number

Waste disposal & packaging

Shelf-life, storage, stability and reactivity

TRANSLATIONS

Language

Name

English

linalool

French

German

Danish

Italian

Spanish

Greek

Polish

Swedish

Hungarian

Dutch

Norwegian

Record last updated:	08/09/2025
Contact:	aeru@herts.ac.uk
Please cite as:	Lewis, K.A., Tzilivakis, J., Warner, D. and Green, A. (2016) An international database for pesticide risk assessments and management. Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: An International Journal, 22(4), 1050-1064. DOI: 10.1080/10807039.2015.1133242