Dr. Kane on the Combinations derived from Pyroacetic Spirit. 101 



Or assuming a radical analogous to ethyl, we have, calling it Mesityl, 



Cg H5 o oxide of mesityl. 



Cg H5 c/ chloride of mesityl. 



Cg H5 o -{- SO3 sulphate of mesityl. 



CgHjO + HO hydrated oxide of mesityl; mesitic alcohol. 



I. OF MESITYLENE. 



When strong sulphuric acid is mixed with mesitic alcohol, there is imme- 

 diately very great heat evolved, and the mixture becomes deep brown ; if the 

 quantity of acid be considerable, much sulphurous acid gas is evolved. The 

 products of this reaction are complicated, and vary with the proportions of the 

 materials ; amongst them are, mesitylene, mesitic ether, and a peculiar solid waxy 

 substance. 



To prepare mesitylene, two volumes of pure mesitic alcohol are to be mixed 

 with one of oil of vitriol, and the mixture distilled in a glass retort ; by carefully 

 managing the heat there is but very little frothing of the mass until the operation 

 is nearly finished ; there comes over a watery liquor, excessively impregnated 

 with sulphurous acid gas, and a yellowish oil, which floats on the surface 

 of it. This amounts in quantity to about one-fourth of the volume of the mesitic 

 alcohol employed. It is to be decanted, and washed very well, to free it from 

 sulphurous acid; then distilled, first in a water-bath, which frees it from a small 

 quantity of the alcohol which had adhered to it, then, the water-bath being 

 removed, the mesitylene distils over pure. The distillation must not be carried 

 too far, as there remains in the retort a quantity of a substance, which, though 

 less volatile, yet contaminates the last distilled portion of the mesitylene. The 

 product is to be digested on well dried chloride of calcium for twenty-four hours, 

 and then poured off, and again distilled. It may thus be obtained pure. 



Mesitylene, when pure, is colourless, very light; it boils at about 27t)° 

 Fahrenheit, and possesses a soft garlic odour, by which it is eminently characterized. 

 It burns with a bright white flame, throwing off^ much smoke. It is not acted on 

 by alkalies. With sulphuric and nitric acids, and with chlorine, it gives products 

 which will be examined in another part of this memoir. 



