The constituents of the bark of "Prunus serotina" / by Frederick B. Power and Charles W. Moore.

  • Power, Frederick B. (Frederick Belding), 1853-1927
Date:
[1909?]
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: The constituents of the bark of "Prunus serotina" / by Frederick B. Power and Charles W. Moore. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    11/24 (page 251)
    Examination of the Brown Resin (B). This was a dark brown powder, and amounted to 171 grams. It was dissolved in alcohol, and mixed with purified sawdust, the thoroughly-dried mixture being then successively extracted in a Soxhlet apparatus with the following solvents: ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and alcohol. Ethereal Extract of the Brown Resin. This extract consisted of brown, resinous material, and amounted to only 15 grams. As nothing definite could be obtained from it by the usual methods or by extraction with alkalis, it was heated in a reflux apparatus with dilute alcohol containing 5 per cent, of its weight of sulphuric acid. After the addition of water, and the removal of the alcohol, a small amount of soft, resinous material was deposited. This was extracted with light petroleum, when a product was obtained which, after distillation under diminished pressure, yielded 5 grams of a liquid fatty acid. The latter was analysed, and its iodine value determined, with the following results : | 0*1243 gave 0*3540 C02 and 0*1344 H20. C = 77*7 ; H = 12*0. 0*2030 absorbed 0*1829 iodine. Iodine value = 90*1. CjgH^C^ requires C = 76*6; H = 12T percent. Iodine value = 90*1. This liquid acid evidently consisted for the most part of oleic acid, with a small amount of some substance of higher carbon content. Chloroform Extract of the Brown Resin. This was a light brown resin, which amounted to only 2 grams. It was redissolved in chloroform, and the solution extracted with several portions of aqueous sodium hydroxide. The combined alkaline liquids were acidified and extracted with chloroform, when about 0*1 gram of a crystalline substance was obtained. This substance melted at 204 , and was identified as /J-methylsesculetin, which, in the present instance, was evidently contained in the bark in a free state and not in the form of its glucoside. Ethyl Acetate and Alcohol Extracts of the Brown Resin. Both these extracts consisted of brown, resinous material, and they amounted to about 15 grams and 140 grams respectively. As ~ i| nothing definite could be obtained Irom them by the ordinary methods, ri they were united, and heated for several hours in a reflux apparatus I with dilute alcohol containing 5 per cent, of its weight of sulphuric