— 36 — 



Kleber next refers briefly to the geraniol-test, the general introduction 

 of which for commercial purposes would scarcely, in his opinion, afford 

 the universal panacea against adulterations which it is claimed to be by 

 others. Kleber specially holds this view because the practised sophisticator 

 would find ways and means of imparting to his oil the required acetylation- 

 value by means of esters, alcohols (fusel oil, 8jc.) and acids, and because 

 the "average pharmacist", judging blindly by the acetylation value, would 

 fail to detect such additions. 



Another English periodical x ) now enters the field with proposals relating 

 to the testo which Ceylon citronella oil should be required to meet. 

 It demands that the constants of the oil shall be as follows: — 

 d 15 o 0,898 to 0,910, 

 a D — 7 to —13°, 



acid content (calc. as acetic acid) not to exceed 0,25 °/o, 

 acetylisable constituents (calc. as geraniol) not less than 58°/o, 

 soluble in 2 to 3 vols. 80°/o aloohol; the solution must remain 

 clear up to an addition of 10 vols. 



With regard to these suggestions we wish to point out that the maximum 

 limit of the sp. gr. should be raised to 0,915 at least; we have occas- 

 ionally — although very exceptionally — known it to be still higher (up 

 to 0,920). The maximum limit for the rotation has also been fixed too 

 low, for only recently we examined samples of guaranteed pure oils, 

 expressly distilled for us in Ceylon, which gave only — 16°. It would 

 likewise be impossible to maintain strictly the requirements relating to 

 solubility, rather would it be necessary to admit that the diluted solution 

 may turn slightly opalescent, for an absolutely clear solution is an exception. 



In connection with the fixing of constants, the journal referred to also 

 gives a prescription for the determination of geraniol, which, although 

 differing somewhat from that in its precursor, the Chemist and Druggist*), 

 shows an equal determination to pass by in silence everything that has 

 recently been published on the subject of the acetylation of citronella oil 3 ), 

 and to set up some "special method". There can be no doubt that our own 

 prescription, which is founded upon an experimental basis, must be familiar 

 to the English chemists who are concerned in this matter, and it is there- 

 fore surprising that in spite of Jthis knowledge they should again persist 

 in taking a course of their own. Such a proceeding certainly cannot help 

 the problem forward. We can only repeat again and again that in the 

 case of citronella oil in particular it is necessary to work by a clearly- 

 defined method if it is desired to obtain results which shall correspond to 



a ) Perfum. and Essent. Oil Record 2 (1911), 172. Also comp. Chemist and Druggist 

 79 (1911), 387, and Pharmaceutical Journ. 87 (1911), 361. 



2 ) Chemist and Druggist 77 (1910), 896. 



3 ) Report April 1909, 36; April 1910, 156. 



