Studies on the Constituents of Atractylodes. II

Steam distillation of the rhizomes of Atractylodes lancea DE CANDOLLE (Compositae) of Chinese origin afforded a crystalline essential oil in 3.5-5.6% yield. The aqueous layer obtained after separation of the essential oil contained 2-furaldehyde. The majority of the essential oil consisted of a sesquiterpenoid which was recrystallized to white needles, m.p. 61-63°, C15H26O. Its physical properties and few of its reactions suggested that this substance might be atractylol, reported as having been obtained from a crude drug hitherto erroneously designated as Atractylis ovata. It was shown by the present work that the atractylol reported to date was an impure product mixed with other sesquiterpenoids and the nature of such terpenoids was clarified.