Dr. Kane on Combinations derived from Pyroacetic Spirit. Ill 



mesityl, by means of sulphuric acid, some liquors were obtained, which, wheii 

 heated, began to smell strongly of mesitic ether, and contained free sulphuric 

 acid ; evaporated still more, the solutions became black, and sulphurous acid was 

 exhaled. It thus appears that both sulphates are soluble in water, but I was not 

 able to effect their perfect isolation. 



It will be at once seen that the salts of the persulpho-mesitylic acid may be 

 represented as double salts, consisting of the sulpho-mesitylate united to sulphate 

 of the same base. Thus 



2 SO3 -|- Cg Hj o -|- 2 coo -j- HO 



is evidently equal to 



(so3-{-C6H5 0-|-cao + Ho)-|-cao. SO3. 



I will not at present enter into any details connected with this view, which 

 will be at once seen to bear upon the cause of the sulphuric acid retaining its full 

 power of neutralization. 



via. OF THE HYPO-PHOSPHO-MESITYLOUS ACID. 



Of this acid, the existence of which is at present quite without analogy in 

 organic chemistry, only the baryta salt has been examined ; the properties and 

 composition of it are, however, so characteristic, as to leave no doubt of its real 

 nature. 



When iodide of mesityl is prepared by distilling a mixture of iodine, phosphorus, 

 and mesitic alcohol, there remains in the retort (provided there be some phos- 

 phorus in excess) a thick fluid, which, on cooling, solidifies into a mass of crystals 

 resembling amianthus. The decomposition goes on without any separation of 

 carbon ; the only products are the iodide of mesityl (impure), the white fibrous 

 crystals, and a very small quantity of a yellow matter, which will be noticed 

 hereafter. These crystals are soluble in water, forming a colourless liquor, with 

 a taste at once strongly acid and intensely bitter. The liquor, neutralized by 

 carbonate of baryta, gives a white insoluble salt, and likewise a soluble one. The 

 solution is to be evaporated nearly to dryness, and then allowed to cool, when it 

 forms a crystalline mass. This mass is then to be boiled in strong alcohol, which dis- 

 solves out a quantity of iodide of barium, arising from hydriodic acid with which 



