STYKYL ALCOHOL. 373 



to cinnamene. When kept it is rapidly converted 

 into metacinnamene, iodine being thrown down. 



Nit ro cinnamene, C 8 H 7 (N0 2 ), crystallizes in large 

 prisms. 



Styryl Alcohol. 

 C 9 H 10 = C 6 H 5 .CH:CH.CH 2 .OH. 



Is obtained by distilling styryl cinnamate (Styracin, p. 

 375) with concentrated potassa-ley. Is also produced 

 in small quantity by heating styrylic aldehyde with 

 alcoholic potassa. Colorless, lustrous needles, of a 

 pleasant odor; fuses at 33, and boils at 250. "When 

 oxidized slowly it is converted into cinnamic acid; 

 when oxidized rapidly, oil of bitter almonds and ben- 

 zoic acid are formed ; when treated with hydrochloric 

 acid gas or phosphorus iodide, liquid chlorstyryl C 9 H 9 C1 

 or iodostyryl C 9 H 9 I are formed. 



Cinnamic Aldehyde (Styrylic Aldehyde). 

 0>H 8 = C 6 H 5 .CH:CH.CHO. 



Is contained in oil of cinnamon or oil of cassia (the vola- 

 tile oils of the bark of Persea cinnamomum and Persea 

 cassia) ; and can be extracted from them by agitating 

 with alkaline bisulphites, and decomposing the sepa- 

 rated crystalline compound with dilute sulphuric acid. 

 Is formed by the distillation of a mixture of calcium 

 cinnamate and formate; and when a mixture of acetic 

 aldehyde and oil of bitter almonds is saturated with 

 hydrochloric acid gas. 



Colorless oil, heavier than water, does not mix with 

 it. Not distillable alone, but very readily with water 

 vapor. In contact with air it changes to cinnamic 

 acid. Oxidizing agents convert it into oil of bitter 

 almonds and benzoic acid. Combines with dry am- 

 monia, forming water and a crystalline substance, 

 hydrocinnamide (C 9 H 8 ) 3 ^" 2 . 



32 



