2061. Chinese Wax

Description and references

The excretion of an insect, Coccus ceriferus Fabr., or C. pela Westwood, deposited on the twigs and branches of a species of ash tree in Western China. Chief constituent is ceryl cerotate.

Properties

White to yellowish-white, practically odorless, tasteless solid. d ≈0.93. mp ≈92°. Solidif 80-81°. Sapon no. 80-92. Iodine no. 1.4. Acid no. 63. Insol in water; freely sol in benzene, slightly in alcohol or ether.

Use

Manuf candles, leather and furniture polish; treating silk and cotton fabrics; sizing and glazing papers.