178 PROCEEDINGS OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY. 



0.3012 gram of the substance gave 0.0681 gram of sodic sulphate. 



Calculated for CeHjCNGjJaOCaHiiNaOCjHB. Found. 



Sodium 7.23 7.32 



This result seems to indicate that the body is the ethyl compound, but 

 is not conclusive, as the difference between the percentages of sodium in 

 the methyl and ethyl compounds is only 0.46 per cent, and the experi- 

 mental error may well reach or even exceed this amount in the case of 

 compounds whicli are so hard to purify on account of their instability. 

 But we do not have to depend on the analysis in this case, as upon de- 

 composing the substance with an acid, and recrystallizing the product 

 from alcohol long nearly colorless needles were obtained, which melted 

 at 78°-79°, and were, therefore, the ethyl ether of picric acid. We 

 hope that further experiments in this direction will be tried in this 

 Laboratory during the coming year. 



An attempt to make this ethyl compound direct from sodic ethylate 

 and picrylchloride did not lead to the desired result ; a mass of red crys- 

 tals was formed to be sure, but these dissolved, when treated with water 

 to wash out the sodic chloride, giving a red solution, which gradually 

 turned yellow, and then deposited needles of the ethyl picrate. 



Action of Sodic Propylate on Picrylchloride. 



A concentrated solution of picrylchloride in benzol was mixed with an 

 excess of sodic propylate dissolved in a little propyl alcohol ; a heavy 

 precipitate of red needles was formed, which was washed thoroughly at 

 first with benzol and afterward with water. It was then dried on a 

 porous plate, and at last at 110°, when the following results were 

 obtained on analysis. 

 I. 0.2960 gram of the substance gave on combustion* 0.4390 gram of 



carbonic dioxide and 0.1260 gram of water. 

 II. 0.6223 gram of the substance gave 0. 1235 gram of sodic sulphate. 



Calculated for Found. 



C6U2(NOo)30C„HjNaOC3H7. I. H- 



Carbon 40.79 40.45 



Hydrogen 4.53 4.73 



Sodium 6.54 6.44 



The formula C6nNa(NO.,);;OC3H^ requires 36.85 per cent of carbon, 

 2.73 of hydrogen, and 7.85 of sodium. 



* Tlie substance was mixed with chromic oxide to decompose the sodic 

 carbonate formed. 



