Menthyl acetate, a liquid having a peppermint-like odor, has thus far been observed only in oil of peppermint. It can readily be obtained by boiling menthol with acetic acid anhydride and some sodium acetate. Its properties are:

B. p. 227 to 228°) d 20o/0o0,925; [a]D - 79,26°.2) d15o 0,9296 to 0,9298; aD - 72° 47' to - 73° 18'; nD20o1,44669 to 1,44680; soluble in about 15 vol. of 65 p. c. and in about 6 vol.

of 70 p. c. alcohol.3)

1) Berl. Berichte 11 (1878), 456.

2) Kishner, Journ. russ. phys. chem. Ges. 27 (1895), 480.

3) Observation in the laboratory of Schimmel & Co.

Menthy/ isova/erate. C4H9COOC10H19.

Up to the present time this ester has been found only in American peppermint oil. It is a colorless liquid the odor of which reminds of both components. Artificially it is obtained by the esterification of menthol with isovaleric acid. In connection with technical products thus obtained and containing about 80 p. c. ester, Schimmel & Co. observed the following properties: dl5o 0,9067 to 0,908; aD - 56° 28'to - 56° 51'; nD20o 1,44851 to 1,44861; soluble in 5 to 7 vol. of 80 p. c. alcohol.

This ester also is saponifiable with difficulty. For quantitative determinations the process of heating on the water bath with the excess of alkali should be extended over two hours.

Menthyl Isovalerate has been recommended as analeptic and antineuralgic. It is also reported to have been effective in the treatment of sea sickness.