542 Intelligence and Miscellaneous Articles. 



in solution. Alcohol, though slowly, yet dissolves a considerable 

 quantity of opiaramon ; by spontaneous evaporation some is deposited 

 in crystals, but it is always mixed with opianic acid. When heated 

 it creeps up the sides of the vessel without subliming ; when more 

 strongly heated in the open air, it yields the odour of melted opi- 

 anic acid, and emits a yellow vapour. Diluted acids, even when 

 heated, do nOt alter it. Concentrated sulphuric acid dissolves it even 

 cold, and becomes of an orange-yellow colour ; the solution is rendered 

 milky by the addition of water. If it be heated in this state, it be- 

 comes clear, and on cooling opianic acid crystallizes ; an ammoniacal 

 salt is formed at the same time. 



The analyses of opiammon yielded the following results ; the 

 azote being determined lime and soda :- 



100- 100- 100- 



The mode of production and the properties of this substance indi- 

 cate its composition. It can be produced only by the elimination of 

 a portion of the ammonia, and of the elements of the water of the 

 opianate of ammonia ; the results of the analyses, and the reactions 

 which this substance presents when heated to 302° in sealed tubes, 

 can be explained only by supposing that 4 equivalents of water, and 

 1 equivalent of ammonia have been eliminated from the opianate of 

 ammonia, and consequently its empirical formula is C"*^ H'' NO'^. 



M. Wohler states, that although opiammon possesses the proper- 

 ties of the bodies described under the name of amides, he is of opinion 

 that it cannot be represented by the formula NH- + C^" H'^0'*^ ; but 

 this subject he proposes to reconsider ; he further remarks, that the 

 hydrogen found by experiment does not agree well with that derived 

 from calculation, which may he thinks be attributed to the hygro- 

 metric property of opiammon, or because that which was analysed 

 being yellowish, retained traces of a substance hereafter to be treated 

 of. — Ann de Ch. et de Phys., October 1844. 



XANTHOPENIC ACJD. 



M. Wohler gives this name to a substance which is produced by 

 the action of opiammon and alkalies on each other ; it is an azotized 

 acid, characterized by the yellow colour of its salts. 



When caustic potash is poured on opiammon, it is not immediately 

 acted upon, nor does it evolve ammonia. In a short time it dis- 

 solves ; the solution is of a fine orange -yellow colour, and much am- 

 monia is given out ; the same reaction occurs with the alkaline car- 

 bonates. When the solution is boiled till the evolution of ammonia 

 ceases, its colour does not alter ; in this state It contains opianate 

 and xanthopenate of potash, the acid of which is separated and pre- 



