82 Mr. T. G. Tilley on (Enanthal, its Compounds, 



Carbon . 

 Hydrogen 

 Oxygen . 



(Enanthal boils at 155° Centigrade, but is somewhat de- 

 composed by long ebullition, its colour becoming brown and 

 its reaction acid, while its boiling-point rises. This takes 

 place to a slight extent even in an atmosphere of carbonic 

 acid gas. Bussy found the boiling-point to be 155°-158°, 

 which difference is explained by the above observation. 



Action of Nitric Acid on (Enanthal. 



Nitracrol, Nitracholic Acid, Cholacrol, (Knanthylic Acid, 

 Caproic Acid, and Oxalic Acid. 



(Enanthal purified by distillation in a stream of carbonic 

 acid, as above described, is allowed to fall drop by drop into 

 a retort containing strong nitric acid. The action is very 

 violent, and the oxidation quickly established. In the receiver 

 is found a mixture ofcenanthylic and caproic acids, and nitra- 

 crol, and there remain in the retort, dissolved in the strong 

 nitric acid, cenanthylic, caproic and oxalic acids. 



Nitracrol. — This substance was discovered by Redtenbacher 

 among the products of the action of nitric acid on choloidinic 

 acid. It seems to be frequently produced in actions of a similar 

 nature, and to account for the yellow colour observed on neu- 

 tralising by an alkali the acid products obtained. When 

 cenanthal is distilled with nitric acid, nitracrol is found in the 

 receiver mixed with the fatty acids and dissolved in nitric acid. 

 When this is diluted with water, a stratum of oil separates 

 which swims on the surface, and heavy oily drops sink to the 

 bottom of the fluid. These heavy drops when washed con- 

 stitute a colourless fluid very sparingly soluble in water, and 

 possessing a most penetrating and powerful odour; so powerful 

 indeed, that the mucous membrane of the nose is frequently 

 inflamed after smelling it. 



Heated to 100° with water it is decomposed, nitrous acid 

 passing over with another body which Redtenbacher has 

 called cholacrol. Mixed with caustic potash, it assumes im- 

 mediately a yellow colour, and in a short time crystals appear, 

 while an oil heavier than water remains undissolved. These 

 crystals are beyond all doubt the nitrocholate of potash obtained 

 by Redtenbacher, and found by him to have the following 

 formula : — 



C 9 HN 4 O q +KO. 



