60 
YANILLINUM. 
Yaiiillin. 
C 6 H 3 .On.OCH 3 .GOH 4:3:1 
/CHO (1) 
Methyl ether of protocatechuic aldehyde CgHg — OCH3(3), occurring 
\OH (4) 
naturally in vanilla or made synthetically. Vanilla (U. S. P,) contains 
from 1 to 2 or 3 per cent of v^anillin. 
Eugenol, the principal constituent of oil of cloves, is allylmethyl 
P3u*ocatechol, and by oxidation yields vanillin, the allyl group being 
oxidized to the aldeh 3 xle group, (CHO), present in vanillin. 
Character. — Colorless, prismatic needles, having the odor and taste 
of vanilla, and melting at 80° to 81° C. 
Solubility. — Soluble in cold water (about 1:100), in warm (1:15), 
easil}^ soluble in alcohol, glycerin, ether, and chloroform. 
Being a phenol in character, it readil}" dissolves in dilute alkali 
h}^droxides, from which it is precipitated by acids. It is extracted 
completel}^ from its solution in ether by shaking with a saturated 
aqueous solution of sodium bisulphite, from which it may be precipi- 
tated again b}" sulphuric acid. 
Purity. — The Pharmacopoeia guards against a possible adulteration 
with acetanilide l)v the following test: on warming 0.1 Gm. of Vanillin 
with concentrated alcoholic solution of sodium hydroxide, adding 
chloroform and again Avarming it should not giA^e the disgusting odor 
of phenAd isoc}"anide; such an odor Avould indicate acetanilide. 
Dose. — ‘‘Average dose: 0.030 Gm.=30 milligrammes (i grain).” 
(U. S. P.) 
Caution. — Keep in well-stoppered bottles, in a cool place, and pro- 
tected from the light. 
X / o-co. 
Coumarin ( CgHV | ) the anh 3 "dride of orthocinnamic acid 
V \CH=CH^ 
is an odoriferous principle found in the Tonka bean (1.5 per cent), 
and elseAvhere, Avhich resembles A^anillin in odor. It forms colorless, 
shining prisms, melting at 67° C., and soluble in 400 parts cold, 45 
parts of hot water, and in 7.5 parts of alcohol, easily solul)le in ether. 
“Extracts of A^anilla” are sometimes found to be made not from the 
true vanilla bean, but to be alcoholic tinctures of S 3 uithetic vanillin or 
coumarin. Such sophistication can readily be detected, as follows: 
If some of the extract be freed from alcohol by evaporation, made up 
to its original Amlume with water and acidified with acetic acid, a red- 
dish brown precipitate of resin will form in the case of a true extract; 
absence of such resin would indicate an artificial extract. The filtrate 
from this resin, in a true extract, should give a copious precipitate 
Avith basic lead acetate solution; an artificial gives none. 
