182L] Royal Society, 65 B 



out; and, as connected with chemistry, he recommended the ^;v 

 subjects of fluorine, and the amalgamation of ammonia with-^ 

 mercury. it 



jjqc. 14. — A paper, by Mr. Faraday (communicated by tho 

 Secretary), was read. It described the composition and proper- ^ 

 ties of two new compounds of chlorine and carbon, and one of 

 iodine, hydrogen, und carbon. The reading of this paper was 

 conchidedon the 21st, when the Society adjourned. 



The flrst chloride of carbon obtained by Mr. Faraday was : 

 procured by acting upon chloric ether with chlorine. The 

 muriatic acid gas formed by their mutual action, when exposed : 

 to the sun's rays, being repeatedly expelled by the introduction 

 of fresh chlorine, a crystalline substance was obtained, which is r 

 the perchloride of carbon. Mr. Faiaday then details a method 

 by which it may be obtained in purity, and it then has the fol- 

 lowing properties : It is colourless and transparent : its smell is 

 rather aromatic, somewhat resembling that of camphor. Its 

 taste is very slight; and it is nearly twice as heavy as water. 

 It is easily pulverized ; when scratched, it has the appearance of 

 white sugar, and it is of about the same degree of hardness as ' 

 this substance. It is a non-conductor of electricity. At a • 

 medium temperature, it volatilized slowly; at 320° it melts ; t 

 and at360° it boils. It is insoluble in water, but soluble in alcohol ; 

 and in ether ; it is not readily combustible under common circum- 

 stances ; but heated in pure oxygen gas it burns, and sometimes 

 briUiantly. When heated, it sublimes in a crystalline form, and 

 those crystals obtained from its solution in ether are quadrangular 

 plates. It appears to be composed of three atoms of chlorine = 

 100*6, and two atoms of carbon = 11*4. 



It is soluble in oils, both volatile and fixed. At a red-heat, 

 but not below it, oxygen acts upon it ; the electric spark did not 

 inflame a mixture of the vapour of it with oxygen even at about 

 400° Fahr. nor did hydrogen cause any change in it under the 

 same circumstances ; but on passing them through a red-hot 

 tube, decomposition took place. Muriatic acid gas was formed, . 

 and carbon deposited. Sulphuric acid does not appear to act 

 upon it at all. The metals for the most part decompose the per- 

 chloride of carbon at high temperatures. Potassium burns 

 brilhantly in the vapour of it; and iron, tin, &c. combine with 

 the chlorine, and deposit the carbon. 



When passed through a red-hot tube, it is decomposed, - 

 chlorine is evolved, and the protochloride of carbon obtained. 



Protochloride of Carbon. — This is formed by heating the per^ - 

 chloride to dull redness; it at first sublimes, but eventually 

 chlorine is evolved, and the protochloride formed ; and being , 

 vaporized is condensed into a fluid. By repeated distillations 

 it is procured perfectly colourless and limpid, and possessing the ' 

 following properties. Its specific gravity 1*5526. It is a non- . 

 conductor of electricity j its refractive power is very nearly that'> 



l^ew Series, vol. i. e 



