Dr. Kane on the Combinations derived from Pyroacetic Spirit. 117 



but although exposed to the solar light for several weeks, there is no appearance 

 of alteration. This solution may even be distilled without any change being 

 produced. This mode of reaction, therefore, affords no results. 



It has been already mentioned that when iodine, phosphorus, and mesitic 

 alcohol are distilled together, in order to form iodide of mesityl, there is 

 evolved a large quantity of hydriodic acid gas, and much free iodine distils over 

 with the impure iodide of mesityl. In the retort there remains a liquor, which, 

 on cooling, deposits the fibrous crystals of hypophospho-mesitylous acid, with which 

 are mingled small gold-coloured scales, resembling in appearance crystallized 

 iodide of lead. On dissolving the hypophospho-mesitylous acid in water these 

 remain undissolved, and can be separated by the filter ; when dried, they lose 

 their brilliant appearance, and form a golden-yellow powder. This powder is 

 insoluble in water, but dissolves in ether, from which it is deposited in brilliant 

 spangles, which again become dull on exposure to the air. It is volatile, but 

 requires a temperature nearly approaching to redness for its volatilization. When 

 cautiously heated, it sublimes without alteration, and forms a brilliant gold-coloured 

 sublimate ; but if the vapour be passed through a portion of the tube, previously 

 made very hot, carbon is deposited there, and a large quantity of iodine set 

 free. I attempted to generate this substance by heating together chloride of 

 pteleyl and iodide of lead, but the great part of the chloride sublimed unaltered ; 

 and though there were very evident indications of its being produced in minute 

 quantity, the process cannot be employed with advantage. 



This substance evidently possesses considerable analogy with iodoforme, 

 (ter-iodide of formyl), which it resembles closely it its appearance, colour, and 

 relation to alcohol, water, and ether. It is, however, completely distinguished 

 from it by its permanence in regard to heat. Dumas states, and I have verified 

 the observation, " A une temperature peu elevee, insuffisante pour charbonner le 

 papier, il se decompose en iode, I'acide hydriodique, et charbon." It is interesting 

 to recollect too, that the formyl is a radical polymeric with pteleyl ; the former 

 being c^ n, the latter c^ Hj. 



The circumstance of its being formed by the action of iodine on nascent 

 mesitylene, and the great analogy between its properties and those of the chloride 

 of pteleyl, induce me to consider it as the iodide of that radical, and its formula 

 Cg H3 1, giving for its composition 



