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 phenylethyl alcohol), C 8 H 10 = 

 C 6 IF.CH 2 .CH 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 6 H 4 j Qj^OH 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 I8 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 H 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 water 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 



