Drs. Muspratt and Hofmann on Toluidine. 191 



hydrochloric acid and chloride of platinum are mixed toge- 

 ther. The crystals were washed with a mixture of alcohol 

 and aether and then desjiccated in a water-bath. We have al- 

 ready alluded to the determination of the platinum in this 

 salt when speaking of the atomic weight. The analysis gave 

 31*36 per cent, of platinum. 



The formula CIH, C14 Hg N + Pt Clg agrees with 31-51 

 per cent, platinum. 



We have not examined the other salts of toluidine, and 

 shall therefore only remark that the nitrate and phosphate 

 are obtained in crystals on bringing the respective acids in 

 contact with toluidine. 



Products of the Decomposition of Toluidine. 



We should have been exceedingly glad to have submitted 

 toluidine to the action of different agents, but the difficulty of 

 obtaining this body in sufficient quantity prevented us from 

 satisfying our wishes. We can therefore only give a few re- 

 actions, which we had the opportunity of remarking during 

 the course of the investigation. When the vapour of tolui- 

 dine is passed over fused potassium, an energetic reaction 

 ensues, and there is formed a quantity of cyanide of potas" 

 sium, as was readily ascertained by the residue giving off hy- 

 drocyanic acid when treated with a mineral acid. With con- 

 centrated 7iitric acid the base is decomposed, and a large 

 quantity of nitrous acid eliminated. On mixing the solution 

 with water, sulphur-yellow flakes are deposited, which dis- 

 solve in alkalies with a brownish-red colour, and reappear on 

 the addition of an acid. Ihis behaviour is analogous to that 

 of nitrophenisic acid, but we are not in a position at present 

 to communicate anything more definite concerning this sub- 

 stance. When this base is treated with a solution of bromine 

 a violent action ensues, accompanied by an elevation of tem- 

 perature and formation of hydrobromic acid. When the 

 product is heated in a test-tube, there sublimes in the upper 

 part white, shining needles, which are soluble in alcohol and 

 aether, but insoluble in water. They do not possess basic 

 properties, and behave in every respect like tribromaniline; 

 it is highly probable that their cotnposition is also similar. 

 We have not yet procured a sufficient quantity of these cry- 

 stals in order to verify by experiment the annexed formula, — 



The effect of chlorine upon toluidine has not been at all stu* 

 died, but it is highly probable that in this reaction there would 



