Chemistry of Essential Oils

138 THE CHEMISTEY OF ESSENTIAL OILS

Specific giavity at 15°.

Refractive index.

Aldehydes, per cent.

Soluble in 70 per cent, alcohol

Sample No. 1

from

Assuantsi.

1-038

1-594

74 (approx.)

Soluble in

2-5 vols.

Sample No. 2

from

Coornassie.

1-042

1-605

88 (approx.)

Soluble in

2-4 vols.

Sample No. 3

from

Aburi.

1-041

1-603

86 (approx.)

Soluble in

2-4 vols.

Previous

Sample

from

Tarquah.

1-042

1-603

86 (approx.)

Soluble in

2-4 vols.

Adulteration with cinnamon leaf oil is indicated by a higher per-

centage of eugenol, and the deep blue colour yielded with ferric chloride

solution. Artificial cinnamic aldehyde is frequently used as an adul-

terant. The oil should be tested for traces of chlorine as described

under oil of almonds, which, if present, is due to the artificial aldehyde.

If this adulterant, free from chlorine, has been used, it will 'be indicated

by a high specific gravity, refractive index, and aldehyde-content.

Ceylon cinnamon bark oil contains, as its principal constituent, cin-

namic aldehyde; it also contains eugenol as well as the following bodies

which were isolated by Schimmel & Co.,

2

who have published the fol-

lowing details in reference to them :—

Methyl-n-amyl ketone : CH 3. CO. CH 2. CH 2. CH,. CH 2. CH 3.

The first three fractions, distilling from 32° to 163

°

, were treated

with bisulphite, and from the crystalline double compound a ketone

was isolated, which was recggnised as methyl-n-amyl ketone. Its.

semi-carbazone melts at 122° to 123°. Two combustions of this body

gave figures corresponding to the formula C 8 H 17 ON 3 :—

Furfurol: C 4 H 3 O. CHO.

The mixture of methyl-amyl ketone and benzaldehyde isolated from

the first fractions distilled in the following three fractions :—

1. 54° to 95°. 2. 95° to 165°. 3. 165° to 180°.
   Of these No. 2 and 3 gave an intense furfurol reaction with a solu-
   tion of aniline hydrochloride in aniline.
   Pinene : C 10 H 16.
   Fraction 160° to 165° had a pronounced terpene odour. Specific
   gravity 0

• 8695 at 15°; optical rotation aD = - 15° 10'. The nitroso-
  chloride of the melting-point 102° to 103°, and the nitrol benzylamine
  melting at 122° to 123°, obtained from the former, proved the presence
  of pinene.
  Phellandrene: C 10 H 16.
  Fraction 170° to 174° (42° to 43° at 4 to 5 mm. pressure) had the
  specific gravity 0*8614 at 15°; the optical rotation aD was - 5° 4'.
  The presence of phellandrene was proved by the nitrite, whose
  melting-point 102°, after recrystallisation from acetic ether and cold
  !
  methyl alcohol, rose to 103° to 104°. (aD) = + 11° 39' in chloroform
  solution.
  Analysis gave the following values :—

(^1) Report, April, 1902, 14.