190 Mr GRAHAM'S Account of the Formation of Alcoates* 



The crystalline matter was dried with difficulty by pressure in 

 blotting paper. When dry, it possessed the usual waxy softness 

 of the alcoates, and was of a yellowish colour. Heated, it entered 

 into a state of semifusion, and gave off its alcohol. Nine grains 

 alcoate were reduced by the application of sufficient heat to 

 7.65 grains. Hence the alcoate consisted of 7.65 chloride of 

 zinc, and 1.35 alcohol. But the atomic weight of chloride of zinc 

 is 8.75. 



7.65 : 1.35 : : 8.75 : 1.544. 



1.544 slightly exceeds 1.4375, or half an atomic proportion 

 of alcohol. It is probable that the excess was owing to the dif- 

 ficulty of freeing the alcoate completely from the viscid solu- 

 tion. According to this view, the alcoate of zinc consists of 



Two atoms chloride of zinc, . . 17.5 

 One atom alcohol, i . . , , 2.875 



20.375 



Besides these alcoates, similar compounds of chloride of mag- 

 nesium and of protochloride of iron and alcohol were formed, 

 although in quantities too minute to enable me to ascertain 

 their proportions. Alcohol is retained with great force by chlo- 

 ride of iron, and is partially decomposed when heated, as is the 

 case with many metallic chlorides. 



As I had it only in my power to present the fixed alkalies to 

 absolute alcohol in the state of hydrates, no alcoate appeared to 

 be formed. The same was the case with the vegetable acids so- 

 luble in alcohol. 



It is probable that many more alcoates of salts may be formed, 

 particularly of the metallic chlorides. The great obstacle to 



