OP ARTS AND SCIENCES. 323 



nite conclusion as to the composition of the main product from analy- 

 ses of the small purified residue, and we therefore determined to 

 examine the products formed from it by the action of alkalies. In- 

 stead of extracting with ether the solution neutralized with calcic 

 carbonate, we added to it a slight excess of potassic hydrate, and dis- 

 tilled, after neutralizing the slightly alkaline solution, with hydro- 

 chloric acid. In this way we obtained a colorless, heavy oil, which 

 was easily recognized as bromoform. After drying over fused calcic 

 chloride, it boiled at 147-150°, under a pressure of 748 mm. Its 

 identity was further established by analysis. 



I. 0.1739 grm. substance gave 0.3893 grm. AgBr. 

 II. 0-2202 grm. substance gave 0.4940 grm. AgBr. 



Br 



The weight of bromoform thus obtained amounted to between sixty 

 and seventy per cent of that required by the assumption that each 

 molecule of the acid yielded one molecule of broraal. 



The residue left after distilling off the bromoform was then acidified 

 and distilled with steam. The acid distillate contained formic acid, as 

 was shown by the ordinary qualitative tests, and by the analysis of 

 the lead salt jirepared from it. 



0.3193 grm. of the salt dried at 100° gave 0.3256 grm. PbSO^. 



Calculated for Pb . (01102)3. Found. 



Pb 69.69 ' 69.66 



One of the products of the reaction was therefore bromal. In the 

 insoluble residue removed by filtration after neutralizing with calcic 

 carbonate was found oxalic acid in abundance, which was identified 

 by qualitative reactions and by the analysis of its calcium salt. 



0.3779 grm. of the salt dried at 100° gave 0.3490 grm. CaSO^. 



Calculated for CaCjO^ . HjD. Found. 



Ca 27.39 27.16 



The decomposition of mucoxybromic acid by aqueous bromine may 

 therefore be expressed by the equation 



C,H3BrO, + 2 Br^ + H.O = aHBr,0 + H,C,0, + 2 HBr. 



