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Separation and Structural Determination of the Olefinic Components of Poison Ivy Urushiol, Cardanol and Cardol

Nature volume 171, pages 841–842 (1953)Cite this article

Abstract

THE noxious saps of numerous members of the Anacardiaceæ, such as Japanese lac, poison ivy, cashew nut shell liquid, etc., contain phenolic bodies carrying long unsaturated side-chains attached to the benzene ring. Earlier investigators1 have in certain cases established the length and the position of these alkenyl side-chains; but prior to the present investigation only very limited information was available concerning the structural details of the unsaturation. There is no doubt, however, that the unsaturation in the side-chain plays an important part both in the physiological properties2 and industrial uses3 of these compounds.

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References

  1. (a) Majima, R., Ber., 55 B, 172 (1922). (b) Hill, G. A., Mattacotti, V., and Graham, W. D., J. Amer. Chem. Soc., 56, 2736 (1934). (c) Backer, H. J., and Haack, N. H., Rec. Trav. Chem., 60, 661 (1941).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry, Columbia University, New York

    W. F. SYMES & C. R. DAWSON

Authors
  1. W. F. SYMES
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  2. C. R. DAWSON
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SYMES, W., DAWSON, C. Separation and Structural Determination of the Olefinic Components of Poison Ivy Urushiol, Cardanol and Cardol. Nature 171, 841–842 (1953). https://doi.org/10.1038/171841b0

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