Geraniol is a Monoterpenoid and an Alcohol. It is the primary part of oil-of-rose and palmarosa oil. It also occurs in small quantities in Geranium, Lemon, Citronella, and many other essential oils. Geraniol is widely used as aromatic isolates, compounding of rose scents, perfume compound, cosmetics, soap, used in flavors such as peach, raspberry, grapefruit, red apple, plum, lime, orange, lemon, watermelon, pineapple, blueberry, insect repellants or deterrents to repel mosquitoes, flies, lice, bugs, cockroaches, ants, fire ants, fleas, gnats, dog ticks, lone star ticks and no-see-ums.
Synthesis of silver nanoparticles

Aqueous solution containing Ag+ ions (1 mM) is prepared by adding 100 µl of geraniol and 10 ml of 1 %w/v aqueous solution of polyethylene glycol 4000 to 90 ml of silver nitrate solution. This is then alkalized with 0.1 NaOH (20 µl) and treated in a microwave oven (850 W) for 40 sec for the reduction of metal ion. The reaction takes place at room temperature. The reduction of the Ag+ ions by geraniol in the solutions can be monitored by Scanning spectrophotometer.
The above chemical reduction of aqueous solution of silver nitrate is one of the most widely used methods for the synthesis of silver colloids. The appearance of a yellowish brown color in the reaction vessels suggest the formation of silver nanoparticles with sizes ranging from 1 nm to 10 nm. Also the geraniol has potential ability for the reduction of Ag+ to silver nanoparticles as a volatile compound from different plants such as Pelargonium graveolens (geranium).