Camphor is naturally produced by trees of the laurel family. It has a strong aromatic odour and is used for various medical and non-medical applications.
In medical applications camphor is mainly used externally in concentrations below 10%. Its analgesic and expectorant properties are made use of in ointments for myalgia, sprain or in cough suppressants.
Camphor is a chiral substance that in nature occurs in its dextrorotatory form. Synthesis of camphor results in an optically inactive racemate composed of equal amounts of D- and L-camphor. L-camphor has been found to have higher toxic potential compared with D-camphor. To test for successful synthesis, chiral separation as well as for purity of natural camphor, camphor must be analysed polarimetrically.
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