Dr. Kolbe on the Decomposition of Valerianic Acid. 349 



alcoholic solution of potash treated with it is found to con- 

 tain as a product of decomposition a considerable amount of 

 valerianate of potash. But on account of the small quantity 

 of material which has been at my disi)0sal, I have not suc- 

 ceeded in separating the alcohol Cg Hjq Og, which must have 

 been formed at the same time. 



The gaseous carbo-hydrogen, which is evolved with the hy- 

 drogen^ is a substance analogous to defiant gas ; it is cha- 

 racterized by a peculiar aethereal smell, and has a specific 

 gravity double that of olefiant gas. It unites with chlorine 

 even in the dark, forming a heavy oily liquid, having a marked 

 similarity to chlorelayl, and is generally composed of a mix- 

 ture of several products of substitution. Its rational com- 

 position is expressed by the formula Cg Hg. The changes 

 which valerianic acid undergoes, in accordance with the fore- 

 going experiments, are capable of a very simple explanation, 

 if we consider that acid as a conjugated combination of the 

 carburetted hydrogen, or the radical Cg H^ with oxalic acid, 

 in a similar manner to the new view taken of the constitution 

 of acetic acid. For whilst by the addition of one atom of 

 oxygen oxalic acid becomes converted into carbonic acid, this 

 radical is set free ; but a portion of it unites w ith the excess 

 of oxygen to form an oxide, and this enters into combination 

 with a portion of undecomposed valerianic acid, giving rise 

 to a new aether, Cg Hg O + Cg H9 Cg O3. 



Another portion of the radical is probably decomposed at 

 the moment of its formation, in consequence of the conco- 

 mitant evolution of heat into hydrogen and the gaseous carbo- 

 hydrogen Cg Hg. This latter view is supported by the fact, 

 that if the temperature of the solution of valerianate of potash 

 exceeds a certain point during the decomposition, not a single 

 drop more of the aitherial oil is produced. 



The following formula will throw light on this decompo- 

 sition : — 



o/-lc, 



KO + Cg Ho C2 0^\ _ /KO + 2CO2 



^8 "9- 



Both butyric and acetic acids are acted on in a similar 

 manner to valerianic acid ; the products of decomposition of 

 acetic acid are all gaseous, and appear to contain oxide of 

 methyle. Butyric acid gives in addition to the gaseous com- 

 pounds a volatile oil composed of Cg H7. 



The minute description of this product will form the sub- 

 ject of a future memoir. 



The foregoing investigation has been carried out during 

 the late session in the laboratory of Dr. Lyon Playfair, as 

 whose assistant I have been engaged during that time j and I 



