Toluifera Balsamum

Toluifera balsamum L., Leguminosae, Ang. frcan mountains in trc ical S Amwica... 

Toluene is a clear, flammable, aromatic hydrocarbon liquid with a smell similar to benzene. It is also called methylbenzene, indicating that a methyl group has been added to one of benzenes carbon atoms. Toluene was first isolated by Pierre-Joseph Pelletier (1788—1842) and Philippe Walter (1810—1847) in 1837. The name toluene comes from the South American tree Toluifera balsamum. Henri-Etienne Sainte-Claire Deville (1818—1881) isolated toluene from the tree s gum, Tolu balsam, in 1841. 

Tolutanum. Tolu. Toluifera balsamum. W. II. 545. Balsamum. The balsam. 

Balsam Tolu. Thomas balsam opobalsam resin Tolu. Ftom Toluifera balsamum L. (Myroxylon tolulferum H. B. K ), Leguminosae. Habit. South America (Venezuela, Colomhia, Peru) on elevated plains and mountains. Constit. 12-15% free cinnamic and benzoic acids about 40% benzyl, etc., estets of these acids (5.2-13.4% cinnamein) 1.5-3% volatile oil. Ref Rosenthaler, Pharm. Ztg-Nachr. 88, 716 (1952). C.A. 47, 5076 (1953). 

Benzene is the parent of many aromatic compounds, which have both common and lUPAC names. The common names of substituted benzenes often came ftom their sources. One example is toluene, which used to be obtained ftom the South American gum tree, Toluifera balsamum. A few benzene compounds are shovm below. Their common names are shown in parentheses below their lUPAC names. The common names have been used for so long that they have become accepted by lUPAC. 

Synonyms Balsam of Peru Balsamum peruvianim Black balsam China oil Honduras balsam Indian balsam Peruvian balsam Surinam balsam Peru Balsams Balsam Peru oil Oil Balsam Peru Peru balsam Myroxylon pereirae klotzsch resin Myrosperum pereira balsam Toluifera pereira balsam Peru balsam oil Myroxylon pereirae klotzsch oil... 

---