Dr. Kane on Combinations derived from Pyroacetic Spirit. 105 



acid as to emit copious muriatic fumes ; at the same time it gradually becomes 

 very dark-brown and opaque, and when heated effervesces, owing to the escape of 

 muriatic acid gas. If distilled, a large quantity of muriatic acid gas is set free, 

 and the distilled liquor always floats on water, owing to the quantity of raesitylene 

 and some mesitic ether which it contains. It is consequently impossible to purify 

 this body by rectification. 



The substance thus obtained was very often submitted to analysis, but in no 

 case was a satisfactory result obtained. The per cent, composition of a few of 

 the specimens examined is subjoined, in order that the nature of the reaction by 

 which it is generated may be more easily perceived. The determination of the 

 quantity of the chlorine was made in the usual way by passing the vapour of the 

 body over red hot lime. 



100. 



On calculating these results, it will at once be seen that the liquids analyzed 

 were mixtures of chloride of mesityl with oxide of mesityl and mesitic alcohol ; 

 it is on this account that I made use of this impure substance to prepare the 

 mesitic ether by the action of potash. 



By the reaction of perchloride of phosphorus on mesitic alcohol a pure 

 chloride of mesityl can be produced ; for this purpose, perchloride of phosphorus 

 is to be added to mesitic alcohol, with which, if not absolutely anhydrous, a lively 

 reaction ensues ; water is to be added in successive drops, and the effervescence 

 moderated by placing the vessel in cold water ; when a quantity of chloride of 

 phosphorus, about double the weight of the alcohol employed, has been used, 

 three or four volumes of water are to be added; there separates a heavy, slightly- 

 coloured fluid, which is to be washed with the least possible quantity of water, 

 and then poured on some recently fused fragments of chloride of calcium. 

 As it does not dissolve any chloride of calcium, it can be analyzed without 

 distillation, by which process it is in fact in great part destroyed, being resolved 



VOL. xviii. p 



