CHEMISTEY 



ANTOZONE. 



IN the first series of Dr. Meissner's researches upon oxygen 

 lie arrived at the remarkable conclusion that oxygen under the 

 influence of electrical tension was converted not only into ozone, 

 but also into another modification, which always appeared 

 simultaneously, and which formed, when brought into contact 

 with watery vapor, especially after the absorption of the ozone, a 

 peculiar dense mist. This second modification of oxygen Meissner 

 identified with Schb'nbein's antozone. So remarkable were these 

 results, and so important their bearing, if true, not only upon 

 our theories of ozone itself, but also upon the philosophy of 

 chemistry, that Meissner desired to repeat his experiments, 

 studying particularly the character of the antozone- mist and the 

 effects of electrical tension upon the volume of the oxygen sub- 

 mitted to the discharge. The results of these experiments con- 

 stitute a paper published the last year by Dr. Meissner.* 



Oxygen is submitted to the action of electricity in a Siemen's or 

 Von Babo's apparatus, is then passed into a receiver containing a 

 concentrated solution of iodide of potassium in which the ozone 

 is completely absorbed, and finally through water contained in a 

 second receiver ; the gas, as it issues from the water, forms above 

 it a thick white mist, which also appears in a less degree over the 

 solution of iodide of potassium, but which is denser the less con- 

 centrated the solution and the more favorable the ozonizing 

 conditions. To prove that this mist consists solely of electrized 

 oxygen and water, Meissner proves experimentally, to his own 

 satisfaction : 1st. That no other gas but oxygen is in any way 

 concerned in the production of the phenomenon, particularly no 

 nitrogen, chlorine, hydrogen, or carbonic acid; 2d. That for 

 the production of the result the presence of aqueous vapor in 

 the electrizing tube is not necessary; 3d. That the solution of 

 iodide of potassium used for the absorption of the ozone has 

 nothing whatever to do with the appearance of the phenomenon, 

 further than is implied in effecting the removal of the ozone from 

 the current of electrized oxygen. 



* Neue Untersuchungen liber den elektrisirten Saticrstoff. Abbaudlungen 

 dor K. Gosellscbaft der Wissenschaften zu Gottingen, XIV. (ISG'J). 



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