Colorless liquid. Almost insoluble in water, poorly soluble in Propylene glycol and Glycerin, soluble in alcohol and oils. Sp.Gr. 1.01. B.P. 215° C. Somewhat green-earthy. yet refreshing odor with a pine-needleundenone.
Reported found in the essential oil from roots of valerian and Thymus vulgaris L.
Bornyl formate may be used in perfumes, but the author believes this is extremely rare. It is used in a few types of fruit flavors, usually in mere traces. The fresh-green odor and sweet-herbaceous taste is useful in fancy imitation Strawberry flavors and other fruit compositions.
The corresponding ester is prepared by heating to 50°C a mixture of formic/acetic anhydride with d-bornyl alcohol.
