CHEMICAL STUDY OF THE VOLATILE OIL OF MA HUANG(EPHEDRA SINICA STAPF)

1. After the alkaloids had been removed from the toluene extract of Ma Huang with oxalic acid solution, the toluene was distilled off and the residue steam distilled, a fragrant volatile oil was obtained with the following constants: n_D²⁰ 1.4940, α_D²⁰-31.44°, d₂₀²⁰ 0.8819. 2. When the volatile oil was subjected to fractional distillation and chromatography, a terpene alcohol was obtained, its formula corresponding to C₁₀H₁₈O. It was identified to be l-α-terpineol through its urethane derivative and nitrosyl chloride adduct. Its infra red absorption spectrum and retention time in gas chromatography were identical with a known sample.