I took strike's advice on removing eugenol from a safrole containing mixture by stirring equal amounts of 3% NaOH soln and the unknown oil mixture (100mL each).  Upon addition of the NaOH solution, there was some white precipitate, as expected, but the oil, which was clear and colorless to begin with, changed to a clear light red.

I have searched to no avail.  Any idea what may be happening?

The next step would be to vacuum fractional distill and see what comes over at what temps.

Ideas and suggestions are greatly appreciated.

mop.

Thanks Fractal, kinda what I thought after some consideration.

any ideal what the red might be? Any common oils that would react that way with NaOH?

mop.

Yes, density is very important, i saw one mate buying a very expensive "sassafras oil" with less density than water...
And the "TDK" method in Strike´s book is a good way to distill this oil. I like Diluted acetic acid more than NaOH, because the the real trouble distilling sassy oils, is the camphor fraction instead of eugenol, anyways acetic acid will remove both, and NaOH will remove Acetic acid...

Yeah  I noticed that.

Not until I was looking over the actual reaction, written up in the proper lab manual manner did I notice the density issue, then I felt like a moron.  Glad nothing was dumped into the waste pot.

I do appreciate the responses and lack of laughing..... lol