Studies on the Components of Neem Tree. I

1) From the ether extract of the fruits of Neem tree (Melia azedarach L. var. japonica Makino) five neutral oil fractions were obtained by chromatographic adsorption. Their saponification values were 188.22-209.22, and iodine values, 135.82-146.93.2) The adsorbability of the oil was found to be dependent on the number of double bonds rather than on the molecular weight.3) By the estimation of Reichert-Meiszl and Polenske values of the total neutral oil, 6.67% of the consituent fatty acids was found to be volatile.4) The volatile fatty acids were led to hydroxamic acids and paper-chromatographed by which acetic and caproic acids were obtained which were also confirmed as silver salts and p-bromophenacyl esters.5) In case hydrated butanol was used as a solvent at 24-25°, the Rf value of valerohydroxamic acid was slightly smaller than that of isovalerohydroxamic acid, the reverse of which was true in the case of using hydrated ethyl acetate as a solvent.