194- Dr. A. W. Hofman on the Organic Bases 



matters; for, while the latter does not crystallize with certain 

 acids, the former instantly produces a white crystalline mass 

 on being brought in contact with them. By recrystallization 

 from alcohol or boiling water, beautiful inodorous crystals of 

 these salts may be obtained, nearly all of which, when first 

 prepared, are white; but on exposure to the air, particularly 

 in a moist state, become rapidly rose-red. Combinations of 

 cyanol with acids possess the character of true salts, they are 

 capable of undergoing double decomposition, and their forma- 

 tion is attended with evolution of heat. 



The high saturating capacity of this base is remarkable; its 

 atomic weight (1174*6) is next to that of nicotine (1035*4), 

 which is the smallest of all the organic bases. 



The salts of cyanol are decomposed with facility by the al- 

 kalies, the base separating in colourless globules. This change 

 is also effected by ammonia. 



At a boiling temperature cyanol however displaces ammo- 

 nia from its combinations, evidently owing to the greater vola- 

 tility of the latter. 



Cyanol combines directly with the hydracids, but with the 

 oxygen acids the combination is effected by the appropriation 

 of the elements of one atom of water, analogous to the other 

 organic bases and ammonia. I have in vain endeavoured to 

 extend this analogy with ammonia by the formation of com- 

 pounds similar in constitution to amide and ammonium. 

 Cyanol is not acted upon by oxalate of the oxide of ethyle ; 

 potassium amalgam decomposes the neutral salts of this base, 

 with the elimination of hydrogen gas and the separation of 

 cyanol. 



Sulphate of Cyanol. — I obtained this salt by treating an aethe- 

 real solution of the crude oil with some drops of concentrated 

 sulphuric acid. The whole liquid became a white crystalline 

 mass. By washing with absolute alcohol all the leucol is re- 

 moved. I dissolved the washed crystalline mass in boiling 

 absolute alcohol, which separated the last trace of ammonia. 

 This salt is insoluble in aether, difficultly soluble in absolute 

 alcohol, but easier in dilute; in water, particularly when boil- 

 ing, it is copiously dissolved. The boiling saturated solution 

 solidifies on cooling. The sulphate crystallizes, when allowed 

 to evaporate spontaneously, in a crust upon the vessel ; the 

 crystalline form cannot be accurately determined. The solu- 

 tion is acid, and becomes quickly red when exposed to the air ; 

 a stream of hydrosulphuric acid destroys this colour, depositing 

 sulphur. 



This salt can be dried on a water-bath without decomposi- 

 tion. It assumes a light fawn colour. At a higher tempera- 



