Nomenclature
Canada turpentine; balsam of fir. Description and 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, β-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. [α]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.Use
Cement for lenses; manuf fine lacquers; for mounting
in microscopy.