Caprylic Alcohol

Caprylic or octylic alcohol is the hydrated oxide of capryl or octyl, as vinic alcohol is the hydrated oxide of ethyl. It occurs in small quantities in the fermented pulp of the grape; but its most available source is castor-oil, which contains a compound of glycerine and ricinolic acid. This compound, when heated with hydrate of potash, is resolved into hydrogen, sebate of potash, and octylic alcohol. The following is the proce for its preparation, recommended in Miller's Ele ments of Chemistry, vol. iii. p. 129:- "Castor-oil is saponified by means of potash or soda, and afterwards an exce of the hydrated alkali is added, amounting to one-half the oil used. The ma is heated in a retort, and an oily liquid covered with water distils over. This oily liquid, which is the octylic alcohol, is rectified several times with potash, until the residue is no longer colored brown. Octylic alcohol is a colorle liquid of a powerful aromatic odor. It is insoluble in water, but di olves readily in acetic acid, ether, and alcohol. Its spec. grav. is 823, and it boils at 3560." IMG:content-0056.png:[graphic] IMG:content-0057.png:[graphic]