2807. Damar

Nomenclature

CAS number: 9000-16-2
Gum Damar; Dammar; resin Damar.

Description and references

Resinous exudate from a species of Shorea, Dipterocarpaceae. Habit. East Indies, Philippines. Constit. Volatile oil, resins, bitter substance.

Properties

Yellowish-white, roundish, or stalactite shaped, friable masses; semi-transparent, conchoidal fracture; varying degrees of hardness. d 1.04-1.12. mp ≈120°. Insol in water. Sol in alcohol, chloroform, ether, carbon disulfide, oil rosemary; partly sol in oil turpentine.

Use

In plasters, varnishes, lacquers, etc. A soln of the purified material in chloroform or xylene is used for preserving animal and vegetable specimens for microscopy.