Difference between revisions of "Limonene"

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'''Limonene''' is a colourless liquid hydrocarbon, classified as a cyclic terpene. The D-isomer is the most common form encountered. The name comes from the lemon, as many citrus fruits and some evergreen plants contain high amounts of the D-isomer. It may be recognized as the smell of oranges, lemons, or other citrus fruits.
 
'''Limonene''' is a colourless liquid hydrocarbon, classified as a cyclic terpene. The D-isomer is the most common form encountered. The name comes from the lemon, as many citrus fruits and some evergreen plants contain high amounts of the D-isomer. It may be recognized as the smell of oranges, lemons, or other citrus fruits.
  
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==Availability==
 
==Availability==
Limonene can be extracted from citrus fruit peels.
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Limonene can be extracted from citrus fruit peels via steam distillation.
  
 
Pure limonene can also be bought online.
 
Pure limonene can also be bought online.
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==Projects==
 
==Projects==
*Extract limonene from limes, lemons, or oranges
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*Extract various alkaloids from plants
  
==Safety==
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==Handling==
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===Safety===
 
Limonene and its oxidation products are skin and respiratory irritants, and limonene-1,2-oxide (formed by aerial oxidation) is a known skin sensitizer.
 
Limonene and its oxidation products are skin and respiratory irritants, and limonene-1,2-oxide (formed by aerial oxidation) is a known skin sensitizer.
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===Storage===
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Should be stored under an inert gas, as it will slowly oxidize in contact with air.
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===Disposal===
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Limonene can be safely burned.
  
 
==References==
 
==References==
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===Relevant Sciencemadness threads===
 
===Relevant Sciencemadness threads===
 
*[http://www.sciencemadness.org/talk/viewthread.php?tid=22741 Limonene extraction]
 
*[http://www.sciencemadness.org/talk/viewthread.php?tid=22741 Limonene extraction]
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[[Category:Chemical compounds]]
 
[[Category:Chemical compounds]]
 
[[Category:Organic compounds]]
 
[[Category:Organic compounds]]

Revision as of 14:29, 20 September 2015

Limonene-3D-balls.png

Limonene is a colourless liquid hydrocarbon, classified as a cyclic terpene. The D-isomer is the most common form encountered. The name comes from the lemon, as many citrus fruits and some evergreen plants contain high amounts of the D-isomer. It may be recognized as the smell of oranges, lemons, or other citrus fruits.

Properties

Chemical

Limonene is a relatively stable terpene and can be distilled without decomposition, although at elevated temperatures it cracks to form isoprene.

Physical

Limonene is a colorless liquid hydrocarbon. It has a strong smell of orange or lemon peels.

Availability

Limonene can be extracted from citrus fruit peels via steam distillation.

Pure limonene can also be bought online.

Preparation

The synthesis of limonene from basic hydrocarbons is complex, instead it's more efficient to extract it from citrus fruit juice.[1] It is often prepared in introductory organic chemistry classes by steam distilling an orange peel.

Projects

  • Extract various alkaloids from plants

Handling

Safety

Limonene and its oxidation products are skin and respiratory irritants, and limonene-1,2-oxide (formed by aerial oxidation) is a known skin sensitizer.

Storage

Should be stored under an inert gas, as it will slowly oxidize in contact with air.

Disposal

Limonene can be safely burned.

References

  1. http://www.sciencemadness.org/scipics/Nicodem/Limonene.pdf

Relevant Sciencemadness threads