172 Foreign and Miscellaneous Intelligence. 



Bromide of carbon may be prepared in two ways ; according to 

 the first method, bromine is mixed with alcohol at 36 Baumti. The 

 mixture heats strongly, and if bromine is still added, a moment of 

 sudden effervescence supervenes, accompanied with disengagement 

 of vapours of hydro-bromic acid and free bromine. After the liquid 

 has cooled, there is added an alcoholic solution of caustic potash 

 until discolouration is produced ; water is then poured in, and the 

 alcohol is evaporated at a gentle heat. When the liquid begins to 

 cool, there separates a small quantity of a yellow oil, heavier than 

 water, and immediately after a concrete crystalline matter. The 

 alcoholic solution may also be diluted with a large quantity of water, 

 and in this manner the concrete substance equally separates with 

 the oil. 



This combination, however, may be obtained in greater quantity 

 by the following process. Bromine is put along with ether for a 

 certain time, and the mixture is then distilled. At first there only 

 passes hydrobromic acid, and then comes a very clear oil, which falls 

 to the bottom of the liquid that has already passed. When the 

 distillation has been continued for some time it is interrupted, pure 

 potash is added to the residuum, and it is diluted with water. There 

 is then deposited a voluminous white mass which is washed with 

 water upon a filter. It is then melted at a very gentle heat, and 

 allowed to harden by cooling. 



This bromide of carbon forms white opaque scales, greasy to the 

 touch, like camphor, and friable. Its smell is highly aromatic, re- 

 sembling that of nitric ether ; its taste is sharp, like that of pepper- 

 mint. In the fluid state it is transparent and colourless. It burns 

 as long as it is in contact with flame, and disengages vapours of 

 hydro-bromic acid. It is heavier than water, melts at a slight 

 degree of heat, evaporates at 212 F., and sublimes, forming aci- 

 cular crystals, having a pearly lustre. It is but feebly dissolved by 

 water, to which it communicates its smell and taste. When the 

 water is at 122 F., it is dissolved, and at a higher degree it is in part 

 evaporated with the vapour. Alcohol and ether easily dissolve it, 

 and the solutions are not rendered turbid by nitrate of silver. 

 Alkalies have no action upon it, even at the boiling temperature. Sul- 

 phuric, hydrochloric, and nitric acids have no. effect upon it. When 

 the melted bromide of carbon is submitted to a current of free gas, 

 chloride of brome is immediately formed. On heating it with the 

 oxides of iron, copper, zinc, &c., there are obtained metallic bro- 

 mides, and carbonic acid gas. By making it pass these metals in 

 the state of vapour, there are obtained metallic bromides and 

 charcoal. It is to this latter property that M. Lee wig has had 

 recourse for analysing the bromide of carbon, which is composed of 

 9.01 carbon, and 91.99 brome, the atomic weight of the latter being 

 F= 941.1*. 



* Eclin. Nat. Journal, ii. 233. 



