LAURYL An hypothetical radical contained in lauric acid and the compounds derived from lauric acid. It is homologous with acetyl, propyl, butyl, &c. [NEGATIVE RADICALS.] Hydride of lauryl (H, is not known, but a derivative of it, termed laurone, or laurostearonc, has been obtained by the destructive distillation of laurate of lime. It is a crystalline body : melting point 151° Fahr. It contains the electropositive hydrogen in hydride of lauryl being replaced by the electro positive radical a radical bearing exactly the same relation to the lauryl that the methyl does to the acetyl in acetone.
Laurie acid, laurostearic acid, or pichurinstearic acid =q11112s02} ) was obtained from the oil of bay-berries H 2 (Laurus nobilis), hence the name. It is also contained in the solid fat of sassafras nuts or pichurin beans [NECTANDRA, Puchury minor, in NAT. Hisx. Div.], in cocoa-nut oil, and in cacao butter. By saponi fication with potash these fatty matters yield laurate of potash, from which the lauric acid may be separated by tartaric acid, gentle appli cation of heat causing the bitartrate of potash to subside and the melted Laurie acid to float on the surface.
Laurie acid is, at ordinary temperatures, a transparent crystalline mass. It is very soluble in alcohol or ether, the solution possessing a strongly acid re-action. By careful manipulation it may be obtained in silky needles. Its specific gravity is 0'883; melting point between 108° and 110° Fahr.
Laurostearin is a combination of lauric acid and glycerin, forming the natural fats already mentioned. When purified by repeated crys tallisation from boiling alcohol it forms a mass of white, brilliant, acieular crystals. Melting point about 112° Fahr.
Laurates have the general formula ; they are uncrys tallisable.
Laurin is a substance crystallising in prisms on evaporating tho alcoholic mother liquors from the preparation of laurostearin. It differs from the latter body in being very soluble in cold alcohol. Its composition is said to be