408 PROCEEDINGS OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY. 



The fact that this substance is not acted on by cold sodic hydrate 

 proves that it contains the second atom of bromine attached to the 

 malonic ester radical and not to the benzol ring. 



Properties of Bromdinitrophenylhrommalonic Ester. — It crystallizes 

 from alcohol in long white prisms terminated by a single plane at an 

 acute angle and arranged in radiated groups ; these crystals are some- 

 times a centimeter long. It melts at 72°-73°, and is very soluble 

 in benzol, chloroform, acetone, carbonic disulphide, or glacial acetic 

 acid ; not freely soluble in cold alcohol, but easily in hot ; more 

 soluble in methyl than in ethyl alcohol ; insoluble in cold ligroine, 

 slightly soluble in hot ; insoluble in water, but if boiled with water 

 for some time, fresh water being added to take the place of that which 

 evaporates, it is finally brought completely into solution. This action 

 is undoubtedly due to the removal of the side-chain bromine as hydro- 

 bromic acid. It will be studied more carefully hereafter. Strong 

 sulphuric acid does not act upon it m the cold, and when hot it acts only 

 very slowly. Strong nitric acid also has no action when cold, but if 

 hot dissolves it. Strong hydrochloric acid does not act upon it in the 

 cold, and when hot has rather less effect than sulphuric acid. Strong 

 solutions of sodic hydrate and ammonic hydrate have little or no 

 action in the cold ; when warmed they convert it into a red substance, 

 probably a salt formed after the removal of the side-chain atom of 

 bromine. The whole subject of the replacement of this second atom 

 of bromine by other radicals must be studied more carefully before 

 any account can be given of it. It is hoped that this work can be 

 carried on in this Laboratory during the coming term. 



