The pure hydroabietyl alcohol is almost white, crystalline plates or powder. M.P. 174-182” C. Lower grade commercial material is usually off-white or pale straw-colored, granular crystals or conglomerated mass with much lower melting point. Insoluble in water, soluble in alcohol and oils. Also soluble in aqueous solution of Sodium hydroxide.
Has apparently not been reported to occur in nature
for use in adhesives, mascara, inks, sealants,
etc.; pasticizer in plastic materials;
Hydroabietyl alcohol is also the natural source and parent of several solvent-fixatives, used in perfumery: Abitol, Methyl abietate (Abalyn) and hydrogenated Methyl abietate (Hercolyn). Rosin, the natural material, is occasionally used as a fixative in Pine and other fragrance types. It is inexpensive and has at times been popular in certain types of soap perfume. Certain derivatives of Abietic acid are used as emulsifiers and “cloudificators” in carbonated beverages - to give visual impression of fruit juice content in beverages made with little or no “cloudy” natural juice. “Cloudy” Orange sodas are popular in certain countries.
From hydrogenated rosin acids (Arctander, 1969).
By distillation of Rosin (from American Turpentine, e. g.) or by treatment with acid to isomenze the natural Levopimaric acid. Purification over the Diamylammonium salt.
