Carioazulene, Natural and Synthetic, derived from Caryophillene

Abstract

IN the fractionation of hydrocarbons found in Copaiba balsam, we have isolated, from a bluish fraction, at a boiling point of 13O°–136° C, under 0.2 mm. pressure, a compound with the typical reactions of azulenes, and which we propose to call ‘carioazulene’. In an attempt to establish if its formation results from dehydrogenation of caryophillene, we submitted the remaining isolated fractions, consisting of caryophillene, to a dehydrogenation process using, respectively, selenium, sulphur and palladium under pressure, in an autoclave.