Prof. Schoenbein on some Properties of Ozone. 203 



df oxygen, it is very easy to parallel to each other the re- 

 actions exerted both by ozone and chlorine upon metallic 

 substances. Let us take potassium for an instance : ozone is 

 readily taken up by that metal, hydrate of potash being pro- 

 duced, as potassium is transformed by chlorine into a muriate 

 of potash; in one case the metal unites with the oxygen of 

 ozone, in the other with that of chlorine; and in one instance 

 water unites with the base, and in the other muriatic acid. 

 The latter being a strong acid completely neutralizes the basic 

 properties of potash, whilst water, on account of its being a 

 feeble acid, is not able to do so. In a similar manner all the 

 other chemical reactions exhibited by ozone and chlorine, may 

 very easily be compared to each other. The greater energy 

 of action exhibited by chlorine is not very difficult to be ac- 

 counted for. Muriatic acid has a very powerful affinity for 

 metallic oxides, whilst that of water for the same substances 

 happens to be much weaker. 



'A fact which merits attention is the formation of ozone and 

 tjhlorine being effected by electrical means. If electrical 

 sparks are caused to pass through a mixture of aqueous va- 

 pour and oxygen, ozone is generated ; and on making electrical 

 sparks act upon a mixture of anhydrous hydrochloric acid and 

 oxygen, chlorine is produced. As to the generation of chlo- 

 rine effected by electrical means, the old theory accounts for 

 it by admitting that electricity has the power of determining 

 free oxygen to combine with muriatic acid and eliminate water. 

 Regarding the formation of ozone under the circumstances 

 above mentioned, we cannot explain it in any other way than 

 by saying, that electricity causes the direct union between 

 water and oxygen. The similarity existing between the be- 

 fore-mentioned ways of producing ozone and chlorine is at 

 any rate a very remarkable fact, establishing another analogy 

 between both bodies. 



My experiments have shown, that in electrolysing water 

 ozone is disengaged at the positive electrode as a secondary 

 product. Now by subjecting hydrochloric acid to the action 

 of a current, chlorine happens to be set free at the same elec- 

 trode. According to the old theory this chlorine must also 

 be considered as a secondary product of electrolysis; and in 

 this respect another striking analogy is exhibited between chlo- 

 rine and ozone. 



The question is, whether phosphorus acts upon a mixture 

 of muriatic acid gas and oxygen in the same way as that sub- 

 stance does upon a mixture of aqueous vapour and oxygen. 

 I have not yet tried the experiment, though it is worth while 

 to do so. 



