4>*T ACETIC ACID AND ACETATES. £3| 



theu combined them directly with distilled vinegar, or with 

 pure acetic acid, according to the object I had in view. 



The oxide of silver dissolves very well in vinegar, and in Acetate of 

 diluted acetic acid ; and the salt it forms with both is so re- 5llTer * 

 markable, that it would be sufficient to prove the identity 

 of the two acids. On evaporating the solution, a pearly 

 acicular salt is obtained, grayish if vinegar be employed, 

 white if formed with the pure acid, very light, and very soft 

 to the touch. If 100 parts of the mother water of these 

 crystals at a heat of 15° [59° F.] be evaporated, about one 

 part of salt will remain. If the mother water be hot, 

 more will be obtained. This salt may be procured like- 

 wise by pouring a concentrated solution of an alkaline or 

 earthy acetate into a solution of nitrate of silver, washing ■ 

 the precipitate, and crystallizing it afresh. 



The acetate of copper is well known. I have sometimes Acetate 

 operated on that of the shops; but in my experimental re- of co PP er * 

 searches I formed it myself from its component parts* 



The acetate of nickel I procured by directly combining Acetate of 

 acetic acid with the oxide of this metal purified by the new 

 processes. It is sufficiently soluble, and crystallizes well. 

 Its solution is a fine deep green ; the crystals are of a some* 

 what lighter colour. 



The acetate of lead is at least as well known as that of Acetattof 

 copper. But it must be remembered, that it exists in two 

 states; that in which it is found in the shops, and that de- 

 BCribed by Mr. Thenard. Either may be converted into 

 the other, by adding oxide to the former, and acid to the 

 latter. 1 believe there is a third state of this salt, interme- 

 diate between the two. 



The acetate of zinc is very soluble. It crystallizes con- Acetate of 

 fusediy, and liquefies n its water of crystallization, the zinc * 

 quantity of which is pretty considerable. , ' 



If a solution of acetate of iron be left exposed to the Acetate of 

 open air, red oxide will separate, retaining some acetic iron * 

 acid. Crystals are obtained from it with great difficulty. 

 Some have s oken of a spontaneous inflammation taking 

 place on evaporating a soluti .... of this sat: but I have 

 never seeu it, though I have evaporated acetates of iron at 



least 



