Chemistry question #2170

George Donati, a 30 year old M from Andradas-MG- Brazil asks on July 10, 2004

Q:When you squeeze out a piece of orange-peel on a flame, it catches fire violently. Why? What is there in the peel that is flammable?

the answer

Barry Shell answered on July 16, 2004

A:

D-limonene. The oil from orange peel is up to 90% d-limonene, but also contains n-decylic aldehyde, Linalool, Terpineol and b-carotinmore. More at Esoteric Oils.


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