Eucalyptus Dives Oil

#### Eucalyptus Dives. Of this species, we must mention three varieties: - **Eucalyptus Dives**, var. "C" which is the "pharmaceutical" type whose composition is almost identical to that of **Eucalyptus Australiana **"type" (see monograph). The oil is produced in sizeable quantities in southeastern Australia, and the tree has been introduced in South Africa. The oil from Australia is usually sold as "eucalyptus oil" and not as "dives" variety since it is marketed as a pharmaceutical eucalyptus oil. It is a colorless or pale yellow liquid whose odor is almost indistinguishable from that of the **Eucalyptus Australiana **"type" oil. However, what is usually marketed under the name of **Eucalyptus**** ****Dives**** **oil is the essential oil, steam distilled from the leaves of 2) Eucalyptus Dives, var. "A", or from the leaves of 3) Eucalyptus Dives "type". The latter has captured the most interest during the late 1940's and early 1950's when synthetic menthol saw a rapidly increasing market all over the world. This oil (3) contains a large amount of laevo-**Piperitone**** **which can be converted into menthol. The balance of the oil will yield Phellandrene, another useful material in perfumery and in the reproduction of essential oils. laevo-**Piperitone**** **forms the starting material for the production of synthetic **Menthol **in a very large Australian factory. **Eucalyptus**** ****Dives**** **var. "A" (2) contains less laevo-Piperitone and more Phellandrene, and is mainly used as a solvent and for technical perfumes, insecticides, etc. All three types are produced on a large scale in Australia, and the oils 1) and 3) will probably soon be distilled in the Union of South Africa, possibly later on in Brazil. See also **Evoulimba**** ****Oil.**