Dr Anderson on the Properties of Picoline. 295 



This salfc differs in constitution from the aniline salt, which 

 is represented by the formula 2 (C12 H7 N) -f 3 Hg CI2 ; it 

 tallies, however, perfectly with the compound of chinoline and 

 bichloride of mercury, which is C18 H« N + Hg CI2. 



I have not particularly examined the other compounds of 

 picoline. 



Products of Decomposition of Picoline. 



The small quantity of picoline at my disposal has hitherto 

 prevented my examining particularly the products of its de- 

 composition, a branch of the subject which presents numer- 

 ous points of interest. Such results, however, as I have ob- 

 tained, indicate a striking difference between the products 

 afforded by it and aniline. 



When treated with nitric acid of specific gravity 1*5, pico- 

 line is immediately dissolved, but without communicating to 

 the fluid the fine indigo-blue colour which aniline produces 

 under similar circumstances. On the application of heat 

 there is produced an extremely slow evolution of nitrous 

 fumes, which contrasts strikingly with the tumultuous action 

 which aniline produces. After very long-continued treat- 

 ment with nitric acid, the fluid was evaporated to a very 

 small bulk, when it deposited large crystals in the form of 

 rhomboidal tables. These crystals, on being treated with 

 potass, evolved picoline unchanged. The potass solution was 

 red, but it contained no carbazotic acid, at least no carbazo- 

 tate of potass was deposited on evaporation. 



An excess of bromine water added to picoline causes an 

 immediate and abundant precipitate of a reddish colour, 

 which, on standing during the night, deposited itself in the 

 form of a transparent reddish oil. This substance is desti- 

 tute of basic properties, and is readily soluble in alcohol and 

 ether, but not in water. Aniline, when treated in the same 

 manner, gives, as is well known, the bromaniloid of Fritsche, 

 which is solid, and crystallises in silky needles, fusible at 

 232°. It seems probable that the oily fluid obtained from 

 picoline may possess a constitution similar to that of broma- 



