102 Drs. Blyth and Hofmann on Styrole^ 



formulse were in a certain measure given by their origin 

 from benzoic and cinnamic acids, and could be controlled by 

 a determination of the specific gravity of their vapours. The 

 origin of styrole, on the other hand, is quite obscure, and the 

 determination of the specific gravity of its vapour was no 

 longer to be thought of after we had observed the peculiar 

 metamorphosis produced by the action of heat. 



There remained therefore no other way to arrive at a pro- 

 per formula than by studying the products of its decomposi- 

 tion. As we had already some information from Simon on this 

 point, it appeared desirable to follow the same way. In the 

 course of this memoir it will be seen that we were led to adopt 

 Cjg Hg as the formula of styrole. 



\. Products of the Decompositio7i of Styrole. Action of Nitric 

 Acid. — In its physical properties styrole is closely allied to ben- 

 zole and to benzoene (toluine of Berzelius), lately discovered by 

 Deville* as a product of the dry distillation of Tolu balsam.; 

 The interesting results obtained by Mitscherlich, and later by 

 Deville, by the action of nitric acid on the above-named bo- 

 dies, and particularly the remarkable transformation of nitro- 

 benzide into aniline, observed a short time ago by Zinin-|-, in- 

 dicated to us a method which promised to lead to a proper 

 formula of styrole. Were a compound analogous to nitroben- 

 zide to be obtained, or a base to be formed whose atomic weight 

 could be easily determined, such data would at once lead to 

 a knowledge of the proper constitution of styrole. 



In the memoir already referred to, Simon has communi- 

 cated some experiments on the action of nitric acid on styrole. 

 He obtained a peculiar neutral body, which he named nitro- 

 styrole^ without however ascertaining its composition. Along 

 with this body he observed the formation of benzoic and 

 hydrocyanic acids. 



Nitrostyrole. 



The preparation of this substance is attended with difficulty. 

 Notwithstanding a great number of experiments, we have not 

 been able to find out a method to procure at will a consider- 

 able quantity of this body. According to Simon, storax oil 

 must be distilled with nitric acid (but of what concentration is 

 not stated) till it has become brown, and is completely con- 

 verted into a resinous mass. After freeing it from nitric acid 

 by washing, this resin is to be distilled with water, when the 

 nitrostyrole volatilizes with the watei'y vapour. 



By following the directions given by Simon, and employing 



* Ann. de Ch. et de Ph., 3rd ser., vol. iii. p. ] 51 ; and An7i. der Chem. und 

 Pharm , vol. xliv. p. 304. 



-f Ann. der Chem. und Pharm., vol. xliv. p. 286. _,: 



