^ Dr. Kane on the Compounds of Ammonia. 



nature, as the views to which I have been led by these and previous investigations 

 will require to be developed in a distinct section. 



I. OF THE AMMONIACAL SULPHATE OF COPPER. 



The composition of this body has been given by Berzelius, and I have found 

 ■ his result to be rigidly correct ; I shall therefore not bring forward any details 

 of my own analyses, but assume as true the formula 



SO3 . CMO + 2 NH3 4" HO. 



This salt crystallizes in right-rhombic prisms, which are complex macles, and 

 I have not been able to determine the form really belonging to it. The crystal 

 would appear to be produced by a number of rhomboidal plates, uniting at the 

 edges, and leaving very often the centre hollow, but destitute of any other definite 

 cleavage or direction. 



When we consider the manner in which this salt is formed, we cannot look 

 upon the oxide of copper as being united with the sulphuric acid. On adding 

 water of ammonia to a solution of sulphate of copper, the action consists in the 

 gradual separation of more and more sulphuric acid from the copper, and when, 

 by an excess of alkali, the precipitate is redissolved, there is nothing in the re- 

 action tending to make the oxide of copper go back again, but rather the 

 reverse. Hence I will apply to this body the formula 



(NH3 . ho) SO3 4" (nHj . cMo) ; 



that is, I consider it as being sulphate of ammonia, with which is united oxide of 

 copper and as much more ammonia. 



When this substance is exposed to the heat of an oil-bath, or of a carefully 

 regulated spirit-lamp, it gives out ammonia and water, and if the heat be not 

 carried beyond 300°, there remains a fine apple-green powder. When this 

 powder is further heated the result varies according to the manner in which the 

 heat is applied ; if rapidly, there is given out ammonia and sulphate of ammonia, 

 whilst sulphate, with oxide and suboxide of copper, remain behind ; but if slowly, 

 and that it be not carried beyond 500° F., the remainder of the ammonia can be 

 gotten rid of, and sulphate of copper quite pure will remain behind, there being 

 no water disengaged in this latter period of the process. 



