camphor

Camphor is a waxy, flammable, white or transparent solid with a strong aromatic odor. It is a terpenoid with the chemical formula C₁₀H₁₆O. It is found in the wood of the camphor laurel (Cinnamomum camphora), a large evergreen tree found in Asia (particularly in Sumatra, Indonesia and Borneo) and also of the unrelated kapur tree, a tall timber tree from the same region. It also occurs in some other related trees in the laurel family, notably Ocotea usambarensis. Dried rosemary leaves (Rosmarinus officinalis), in the mint family, contain up to 20 amphor. Camphor can also be synthetically produced from oil of turpentine. It is used for its scent, as an ingredient in cooking (mainly in India), as an embalming fluid, for medicinal purposes, and in religious ceremonies. A major source of camphor in Asia is camphor basil (the parent of African blue basil).

Campher bzw. Camphora (fachsprachlich, standardsprachlich: Kampfer) ist ein farbloser Feststoff. Er ist ein bicyclisches Monoterpen-Keton und leitet sich formal vom Bornan ab. Es gibt zwei Enantiomere des Camphers, (+)-Campher [Synonym: (1R,4R)-Campher] und (-)-Campher [Synonym: (1S,4S)-Campher]. Die Struktur wurde von Julius Bredt aufgeklärt.

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Le camphre est un composé organique bicyclique solide issu du camphrier, connu scientifiquement comme Cinnamomum camphora.