322 Drs. Muspratt and Hofmann on Nitraniline, 



compound of the new base with bichloride of platinum. On 

 igniting this salt 0-5240 grm. gave 0-1500 grm.= 28*62 per 

 cent, of platinum. 



Atomic weight from experiment . . 1739*5 

 Atomic weight, theoretical .... 1729*0. 

 The metamorphosis of dinitrobenzole under the influence of 

 reducing agents is thus perfectly analogous to the transfor- 

 mation of nitrobenzole. In fact the decomposition is very 

 simple, if we regard dinitrobenzole as nitrobenzole, in which 

 one equivalent of hydrogen is replaced by hyponitric acid. 



c ^{n6 4 } no ^ +6HS=c ^{n6 4 } n+4HO+6S 



l , ' I , y- 



Dinitrobenzole. Nitraniline. 9 



Properties of Nitraniline. 



Nitraniline, as we have stated, is obtained from a hot 

 aqueous solution, in the form of long yellow crystals. It is 

 very sparingly soluble in cold water, so that nearly the whole 

 is separated by crystallizing from this solvent. Alcohol and 

 ether also dissolve this base ; from the former it crystallizes 

 in silky needles, and from the latter in the same form, but 

 not so well defined. Nitraniline dissolves in all acids, from 

 which potassa separates it in yellow flakes, which under the 

 microscope have a confused, needle-like structure. At the 

 ordinary temperature the base possesses no odour, but when 

 slightly warmed, it evolves a peculiar aromatic odour, which 

 somewhat resembles aniline. Its taste is burning. When 

 the crystals are heated they melt into a deep yellow oil, which 

 passes into a yellowish vapour, condensing in beautiful iri- 

 descent plates upon the cold interior surface of the vessel. 

 Nitraniline sublimes without fusing when heated in a water- 

 bath, yielding a sublimate of most beautiful crystals. At a 

 higher temperature the base distils, leaving no residue, and 

 the liquid which passes over solidifies in the receiver or in the 

 neck of the retort into a scaly mass. The boiling-point of 

 the base lies higher than 285° C. (545° Fahr.), and the fusing- 

 point at about 110° C. (230° Fahr.). Its vapour burns with 

 a smoky flame. 



Nitraniline is specifically heavier than water ; it affords not 

 the slightest reaction with test papers ; even rose paper, which 

 is so exceedingly sensitive for alkalies, is not at all affected by 

 it. The properties of nitraniline agree in many inspects with 

 those of aniline, chlor- and bromaniline. Like these bases it 

 possesses in a high degree the property of imparting an in- 

 tense yellow colour to fir-wood. This base also stains the 



