Dr. Kane on the Combinations derived from Pyroacetic Spirit. 103 



of the sulphuric acid destroys it, taking all the oxygen as water, and reducing the 

 remaining elements to the state of mesitylene. If equal volumes of sulphuric acid 

 and mesitic alcohol be mixed, and the vessel containing them plunged into 

 cold water, to prevent as much as possible the consequent rise of temperature 

 and evolution of sulphurous acid ; and, when the deep-brown mixture has 

 become quite cold, it be mixed with twice its volume of water, and allowed to 

 stand for some time ; there gradually separates to the surface a thickish fluid, 

 which can be removed by the pipette, and purified by distillation with some lime. 



This mass can be separated by rectification into a number of portions of 

 different degrees of volatility. It is mostly mesitylene ; it contains likewise a 

 quantity of the solid matter before alluded to, and a quantity of a fluid more 

 volatile than mesitylene, which is mesitic ether. It can be separated by this 

 process only in small quantity, and with difficulty obtained pure ; the best way of 

 procuring it is that now to be described. ( -) ? ; 



In the next section will be detailed a process for obtaining an impure 

 chloride of mesityl easily in moderate quantities. This is to be dissolved in 

 alcohol, and to the solution an alcoholic solution of potash added, until the whole 

 becomes strongly alkaline, the liquor being warmed during the operation. There 

 is now to be added six or eight volumes of water ; there immediately separates a 

 large quantity of an oily matter coloured yellow, and the liquor contains chloride 

 of potassium. This oil is to be poured on chloride of calcium to dry it ; then 

 rectified, to free it from mesitic alcohol which comes over first, and a trace of 

 mesitylene, which is the least volatile of all. This reaction is easily understood : 

 the chlorine passes from the mesityl to the potassium, and the oxygen of the 

 potash takes its place. 



Mesitic ether thus obtained, and rendered pure, is limpid, very fluid, and 

 colourless, of an aromatic odour, which may be compared to that of oil of pepper- 

 mint; it bums with a very luminous, but somewhat smoky flame; it boils at about 

 248° F. Its combinations with acids will be hereafter described. Its compo- 

 sition was determined by the following analyses : 



I. 0.610 gramme material gave 



0.582 water. 

 1.628 carbonic acid. 



