Chemical examination of Lippia scaberrima, Sonder ("Beukess boss") / by Frederick B. Power and Frank Tutin.

  • Frederick Belding Power
Date:
[1907?]
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Chemical examination of Lippia scaberrima, Sonder ("Beukess boss") / by Frederick B. Power and Frank Tutin. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    13/18 page 459
    The ethereal solution of the readily soluble portion - of the extract, which was by far the greater part, was then shaken with a solution of sodium carbonate. This treatment caused the separation of the sodium compound of an acidic resin, in the form of a dark green, slimy mass, which was sparingly soluble in water. On treat¬ ment with sulphuric acid, this sodium compound yielded a quan¬ tity (40 grammes) of a resin, which, after solution in ethyl acetate, and purification with animal charcoal, was obtained in the form of an uncrystallizable, light-colored varnish. The ethereal liquid which had been extracted with sodium carbonate solution was treated with a 10 per cent, solution of sodium hydroxide, but this afforded only a small quantity of a tarry sodium compound, from which nothing crystalline could be obtained. The portion of the ether extract of the resins devoid of acidic properties still remained dissolved in the ether, and this solution was therefore washed, dried and evaporated. The dark green, resinous residue was allowed to stand for a few days, when it deposited a very small quantity of a granular substance, which, when separated from its solution in ethyl acetate, was yellowish in color, and apparently minutely crystalline. As this substance possessed the properties of a hydrocarbon, it was warmed on a water-bath with concentrated sulphuric acid during half an hour, in order to destroy any resinous impurities contained in it. After this treatment the substance was recovered, and was apparently in a state of greater purity, as it was then colorless. It melted at 8o° C., and was doubtless a hydrocarbon of high mole¬ cular weight, probably possessing a formula approximating to C H v^39l J80' Ill’. Chloroform Extract of the Resins. This was a dark green, soft solid, and weighed 24 grammes. It was redissolved in chloroform, and extracted with a solution of sodium carbonate. On acidifying the alkaline solution thus obtained, a brown powder was precipitated, which was collected and dried on a porous tile. This substance was then dissolved in alcohol, and purified by means of animal charcoal, when it was obtained in beautiful yellow needles, which melted and decomposed at about 268° C. The total amount obtained was less than o-i gramme, but it was analyzed with the following result: 0-05 18 gave o-1110 C02 and 0-0265 H20. C = 58-4; H 5-7. CjoH.^Ojo requires C = 58*7 ; H = 5-8 per cent.
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