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



The only remarkable difference, between these formula, consists in the pro- 

 portion of hydrogen. It is very unusual, in an analysis of an organic substance, 

 and particularly in that of one containing chlorine, to obtain too small a value for 

 the hydrogen, as in general the error of experiment throws the quantity of 

 hydrogen above the truth. Now here, Liebig, in an analysis, (on which, how- 

 ever, he warns us not to rely,) obtained 2.8 ; and I obtained in one case 3.0, whilst 

 the theory of the latter formula is 3.13. But it must be recollected that, the first 

 formula assigning 2.37 for the hydrogen, Liebig must have gotten 0.43, and I 

 must have obtained 0.63, 1.27, and 1.07 of hydrogen too much, which is a sup- 

 position more improbable than the former. 



From the reaction of the chlorine, we may explain the origin of the mesitylic 

 chloral, on either formula ; but the decomposition in the case of Cg H3 0, c4 is 

 much more complex. Thus, we must consider the pyroacetic spirit, as really an 

 alcohol, and that but one atom of its hydrogen pre-exists as water ; and then, 

 applying the principle of Dumas's theory of substitution, that atom is removed 

 without being replaced, but the further elimination of the hydrogen is accom- 

 panied by the substitution of an equivalent quantity of chlorine. Thus 



CsHjO + HO 1 _ 



Taking the formula c^u^o^cl^ the reaction becomes much more simple, 

 and consists merely in the elimination of two equivalents of hydrogen, and their 

 replacement by two of chlorine. This formula I am the more strongly disposed 

 to admit, from the action of bases on the mesitic chloral. 



When this mesitic chloral is put in contact with a base, there is produced a 

 deep reddish-brown solution, the chloral disappearing completely, if the base be 

 in excess ; there is produced a large quantity of a metallic chloride, and a salt of 

 the base employed with a new acid, the nature of which may be deduced from 

 the circumstances of the reaction by which it is formed. The chlorine abandon- 

 ing the other constituents of the mesitic chloral in order to unite with the metal 

 whose oxide has been employed, it must be replaced by an equivalent quantity of 

 oxygen, and the body Cg h^ O4 = Cg H3 O3 -|- ho must be produced. Such may be 

 expected to be the composition of the acid in the new salt produced; and until its 

 nature and composition are more accurately examined by other chemists, it may 



