Intelligence and Miscellajieous Articles, 313 



One hundred parts give — 



Experiment. Theory. 



Carbon 54*4; . . 54*3 



Hydrogen 15*9 . . 15*5 



Nitrogen 30-9 31-3 31-2 



Comptes Rendus, Aout 13, 1849. 



ON VALERAMINE OR VALERIC AMMONIA. 



M. A. Wurtz states that cyanate of amylene, which he obtained by 

 distilling sulphaniylate of potash with cyanate of potash, is easily 

 decomposed by solution of potash. The reaction, favoured by the 

 action of heat, gives rise to carbonate of potash and a volatile base, 

 valeramine, which distils when the solution of potash is boiled. It 

 is found in the receiver in solution in water which is volatilized and 

 condensed with it. 



On saturating this solution of valeramine with hydrochloric acid, a 

 perfectly neutral hydrochlorate is obtained, which by evaporation is 

 obtained in the form of white scales, greasy to the touch, very so- 

 luble in water and soluble in alcohol ; it does not deliquesce in the 

 air. By analysis it yielded — 



Experiment. Calculation. 



Carbon 48'2 48-5 



Hydrogen 11-4 11*3 



Chlorine 28-3 28-7 



Nitrogen 11'5 



This analysis agrees perfectly with the formula HCl, C'^' H'^ N. 



The accuracy of this formula was verified by analysing the double 

 salt M'hich is precipitated when concentrated solutions of chloride 

 of platina and hydrochlorate of valeramine are mixed. As it is con- 

 siderably soluble in water, it is advantageous to add a little alcohol 

 to the mixture. After having collected and pressed the precipitate, 

 it is to be redissolved in boiling water ; on cooling, it precipitates 

 in fine scales of a golden-yellow colour, the composition of which is 

 represented by the formula HCl, 0'° H'3 N, PtClS as deduced from 

 the following results of the analyses: — 



Experiment. Calculation. 



Platina 32-6 32-9 



Chlorine 36-0 36-5 



Carbon 20-4 20-5 



Hydrogen 



Nitrogen 4'8 4*8 



When hydrochlorate of valeramine is distilled with lime, the vola- 

 tile valeramine passes over into the receiver. When pure, this base 

 is liquid ; its taste is both burning and bitter, and its odour strongly 

 ammoniacal. It is soluble in water, and the solution precipitates the 



