342 M. Balard on the Nature of the [Nov. 



and kept from the light. At 212° it is only partially de- 

 composed. 



By the action of a strong light it is converted into chlo- 

 rine and chloric acid, and sometimes, also, deutoxide of 

 chlorine is formed. When exposed to the voltaic action, 

 oxygen is disengaged at the positive pole, but the bleaching 

 power remains, and no chlorine appears at the positive pole. 

 In this experiment the chlorous acid and water are decom- 

 posed, and muriatic acid is formed. This idea is confirmed 

 by the fact, that after sometime, the oxygen collected is 

 mixed with chlorine. 



Chlorine has no action on the aqueous solution of chlo- 

 rous acid. 



Bromine, when a drop of it is brought in contact with 

 chlorous acid, expels the chlorine and forms first a chloride 

 of bromine, which changes into bromic acid. 



Iodine presents the same action, but with more energy. 

 Heat is disengaged, and chloride of bromine and iodic acid 

 are formed. The acid produces, with nitrate of silver, a white 

 precipitate of iodate of silver soluble in ammonia; it is 

 not, therefore, hyperiodic acid, as stated by Magnus and 

 Ammermutter. 



Hydrogen, Azote, and Carbon, have no action upon chlo- 

 rous acid ; but phosphorus, sulphur, selenium, and arsenic, 

 act upon it with great energy, giving origin to sulphuric, 

 selenic, phosphoric, and arsenic acids, a disengagement of 

 chlorine, and the formation of chlorides of phosphorus, <fec., 

 which undergo a double decomposition in contact with 

 water, the products being water and phosphoric acid, &c. 



Potassium forms with chlorous acid, chloride of potassium 

 and chlorate of potash. 



Iron filings decompose the acid instantly. Heat is emitted 

 and perchloride of iron formed, mixed with chlorate. 



Zinc, lead, tin, and bismuth, have no action unless another 

 acid be present, when the metal decomposes the acid and 

 sets chlorine at liberty, and not hydrogen, which would 

 happen if water were decomposed. 



With copper, chlorine is disengaged, mixed with some 

 oxygen, chloride of copper being formed. With mercury 

 a similar action occurs, but with silver no chlorine is dis- 

 charged, chloride of silver being formed. Chlorous acid 



