Furfuramide

Furfuramide is closely related to FURFURINE and FURFUROL, and all three substances may be prepared from wood. When this is heated with water under pressure for some time, and the resulting liquor distilled, furfurol, $C\_6H\_4O\_2$, an aromatic oil, with an odour resembling cinnamon and bitter almonds, is obtained. By treatment with ammonia this is converted into furfuramide, $C\_\{15\}H\_\{12\}N\_2O\_3$, a neutral crystalline body. By boiling this again with a solution of potash, furfurine, an alkaline base having the same composition as, and isomeric with, furfuramide is produced. These substances are of little industrial importance.