316 CUMINE, SYCOCERYL ALCOHOLS, ETC. 



cyanide by boiling with an alcoholic solution of potas 

 sium cyanide. 



The following substances are isomeric with tolyl al 

 cohol: 



Styryl alcohol (primary phciiylethyl alcohol), C 8 H 10 = 

 C C IKCH 2 .CII 2 .OH. Is prepared from benzene-ethyl 

 bromide (p. 285) in the same manner as benzyl alcohol 

 from benzyl chloride. Liquid, boiling at 225. 



Secondary phenylethyl alcohol, C 6 H 5 .CH(OH).CH 3 . Is 

 produced by the action of sodium-amalgam on a solu 

 tion of acetophenone in water and alcohol. Long, 

 colorless spiculse ; fusing point, 120 ; distils almost 

 without decomposition. 



3. Cumine alcohol, C 10 H 14 = C C H 4 QQg Is pro 

 duced from the cuminic aldehyde (contained in the oil 

 of Roman cumin), by heating with alcoholic potassa. 

 Colorless liquid of a pleasant odor ; boiling at 243. 

 Insoluble in water ; mixes with alcohol in all propor 

 tions. 



4. Sycoceryl alcohol, C 18 H 30 0. That portion of the resin 

 of Ficus rubiginosa which is insoluble in cold alcohol 

 consists of sycoceryl acetate, C 18 H 29 .O.C 2 II 3 0. This crys 

 tallizes in flat prisms or scales, fuses at 118-120, and 

 yields sycoceryl alcohol, when boiled with alcoholic 

 potassa. Colorless, fine crystals, insoluble in w r ater and 

 alkalies, easily soluble in ether and alcohol. Fuses at 

 90. Not distillable without partial decomposition. 



Benzhydrol, C 13 H 12 = C 6 H 5 .C(OH).C 6 H 5 . Is ob 

 tained by the action of sodium-amalgam on a solution 

 of benzophenone in dilute alcohol. Needles of a silky 

 lustre. Fusing point, 67.5 ; boils at 297-298, at the 

 same time being partially decomposed into water and 



