Title: Balsam Canada
Additional Names: Canada turpentine; balsam of fir
Literature References: Improperly "Balm of Gilead". Liquid oleoresin from Abies balsamea (L.), Mill., Pinaceae. Habit. Canada and Northern U.S. to Va., west to Minnesota. Constit. 27.5% Volatiles (pinene, nopinene, b-phellandrene), 44.5% resin acid (13% abietic, 8% neoabietic), 27% neutral resinous compounds. Ref: Lombard et al., Peint. Pigm. Vernis 34, 106 (1958), C.A. 52, 12420 (1958).
Properties: Yellowish to greenish, viscid, transparent, slightly fluorescent liquid; agreeable, aromatic pine-like odor; bitter taste; on exposure to air gradually solidifies to a solid, noncryst mass. d 0.987-0.994. n420 1.52-1.54. [a]D20 +1 to +4°. Acid no. 84-87. Sapon no. 89.4-95.7 (2 g in xylene for 1 hr). Insoluble in water; miscible with benzene, chloroform, xylene, ethyl acetate, oil of cedar; completely sol or almost sol in ether, oil turpentine; about 90% dissolves in alcohol or petr ether.
Optical Rotation: [a]D20 +1 to +4°
Index of refraction: n420 1.52-1.54
Density: d 0.987-0.994
Use: Cement for lenses; manuf fine lacquers; for mounting in microscopy. |