The Essential Oil of Phebalium nudum.

By C. B. Radcliffe and W. F. Short.

(From the Journal of the Society of Chemical Industry, vol. 47, No. 44, p. 324, November 2, 1928).

The leaves and terminal branchlets of Phebalium nudum (Mairehau) yielded on steam distillation 0.24% of a clear greenish yellow essential oil having a pleasant aromatic odour. The acid value of the oil was 2.4, the ester value 146.2, and the ester value of the acetylated oil 171.6. Sodium bisulphite extracted citral and citronellal from the oil and cinnamic acid was extracted from it by aqueous sodium hydroxide. Camphene, limonene, and α_ terpineol were separated by fractional distillation, and the higher boiling portion of the oil contained a sesquiterpene mixture which was obtained in too small a quantity for complete resolution. A sesquiterpene alcohol is probably also present. The “water oil” contains cinnamic acetic and isovaleric acids.