The compositions of some unhydrolyzed naturally occurring waxes, calculated using functional group analysis and fractionation by molecular distillation, with a note on the saponification of carnauba wax and the composition of the resulting fractions

Summary Methods for the determination of acid, ester, hydroxyl, and ketone (or aldehyde) groups and of mean molecular weights of small samples of natural waxes are reported. Complete analyses can be made on 0.5 g. of sample. A simplified procedure for quantitative separation of acid and unsaponifiable fractions of a wax is also reported. Molecular distillations of beeswax, caranda wax, crude and refined candelilla wax, and ouricury wax, have fractionated these complex mixtures into simpler ones. Hydrocarbons and free unsubstituted alcohols and acids, if present, distil readily at 150°C. A pot still suitable for convenient molecular distillation of up to 100‐g. charges of waxes or other high melting materials is described. A method for the calculation of composition of unhydrolyzed waxes based upon function group analysis of molecular distillation fractions is described. Results of application of this method to the waxes distilled are reported and show the ubiquitousness of hydroxy acids. All of the above waxes and carnauba wax contain major proportions of esters of the hydroxy acids, and none contains as much as one‐half simple esters of unsubstituted acids and alcohols.