Constituents of Essential Oil from Leaves of Liquidambar styraciflua L.¹

Abstract

The essential oil, obtained after steam distillation of the leaves of Liquidambar styraciflua L., after separation on a silica gel column, was investigated by means of LC, GLC, IR-, NMR- and mass spectrometry (EI and negative ion chemical ionization).

The oil consisted of about 85 % mono- and sesquiterpene hydrocarbons and of about 15 % of oxygenated compounds.

In total 60 components were found, 47 were identified (Table I). The main constituents of the petrol fraction were α-pinene and limonene. The fraction in petrol:diethylether 95:5 contained vitispirane as a main component. The IR spectrum is given (Table II). In the fraction petrol:diethylether 90:10 the presence of valeranone and valerenal was proved, components hitherto only known in the essential oils of the Valerianaceae. Negative ion CI mass spectrometry was used for determining the molecular weight. In this way esters can be identified by their mass weight and in our case by the acetate ion. Some examples are given.

Key Word Index

Liquidambar styraciflua L - Essential Oil - Vitispirane - Valeranone - Valerenal - Negative Ion Chemical Ionization Spectrometry.