and some of the Products of its decomposition, 107 



solution of the residue, crystals which possess all the proper- 

 ties of nitrobenzoic acid discovered by Mulder*. We have 

 made several analyses of this acid and its silver salt, which, 

 however, we consider we may pass over, as, after proving the 

 formation of benzoic acid, the appearance of nitrobenzoic acid 

 was easily explained. 



Simon states that hydrocyanic acid is one of the products 

 of the action of nitric acid on styrole : we have not observed 

 the formation of this acid. 



It has been already stated that the amount of nitrostyrole 

 obtained was exceedingly small. We have modified the pro- 

 cess for forming it in several ways, in order to obtain, if pos- 

 sible, this interesting body in larger quantities. ' 



The analogy which exists between nitrostyrole and nitron' 

 benzide, both in their mode of formation and properties, ap- 

 peared to indicate the way to a more advantageous method of 

 preparation. For this purpose we dropped styrole into fuming 

 nitric acid, which formed with it a deep red solution, with 

 great evolution of heat. Here also, even by the employment 

 of artificial cold, the formation of red vapours could not be 

 avoided. From the nitric acid solution water precipitated a 

 yellow resinous substance of soft consistency, which possessed 

 in the highest degree the characteristic smell of nitrostyrole. 

 After washing with water till the greater part of the nitric 

 acid was removed, the yellow mass was submitted to distilla- 

 tion with water. A quantity of nitrostyrole volatilized with 

 the watery vapour, greater than was obtained in the former 

 method, but still out of all proportion to the amount of oil 

 employed. We were equally unfortunate in the treatment 

 with fuming nitric acid, which had been previously saturated 

 with deutoxide of nitrogen. 



If a current of nitrous acid (NO3) be passed through styrole 

 when warm, a violent reaction takes place with the evolution 

 of vapours, which possess the irritating odour of nitrostyrole ; 

 at the same time there is formed a peculiar odourless crystal- 

 line substance, insoluble in water, alcohol and aether. This 

 compound we have not studied. 



In this reaction, which is certainly very complicated, nitro-J* 

 styrole is likewise formed in only very small quantities. 



Action of Chromic Acid on Styrole, 



On submitting to distillation a mixture of styrole, bichromate 



of potash, sulphuric acid and water, the greater portion of the 



styrole passes with the watery vapour undecomposed into the 



receiver. A reaction takes place only after the contents of 



• Ann. der Chem. und Pharm. vol. xxxiv. p. 297. 



