180 PROCEEDINGS OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY. 



Action of Sodic Benzylate on Picrylchloride. 



When picrylchloride in benzol solution was treated with an excess of 

 sodic benzylate, a mass of beautiful red needles was formed, which, after 

 washing thoroughly with benzol and water, was dried on a porous plate, 

 and afterward at 110", and analyzed with the following result: — 



0.3125 gram of the substance gave 0.0470 gram of sodic sulphate. 



Calculated for CeHsCNOjlsOCiHjNaOC,!!,. Found. 



Sodium 5.12 4.87 



The formula CgHNa(N02)30Cj.Hj. requires 6.74 per cent of sodium. 



Properties of the Addition Product of Benzyl Picrate and Sodic Benzyl- 

 ate. — This substance crystallizes in red needles of a somewhat lighter 

 shade than the propyl compound, and shows a distinct fluorescence. It 

 is also more stable than the propyl compound, since a sample of it stood 

 exposed to the air in a watch glass for some months without any visible 

 change. Water decomposes it, but much more slowly than the other 

 compounds of tliis class. In this decomposition, as well as in that by an 

 acid, the principal products are benzyl alcohol and the benzyl picrate. 



Benzyl Picrate, CgH2(N02)30C\Hy. 



This substance, prepared by the action of an acid on the addition pro- 

 duct just described, was purified by recrystallization from alcohol, until it 

 showed the constant melting point 115°, when an analysis gave the fol- 

 lowing result : — 



0.3828 gram of the substance gave on combustion 0.6805 gram of car- 

 bonic dioxide and 0.1090 gram of water. 



Calculated for CcHjCNGolaOCjHj. Found. 



Carbon 48.90 48.48 



Hydrogen 2.82 3.16 



Benzyl picrate crystallizes from alcohol, in which it is difficultly soluble, 

 in nearly colorless plate.'*, melting at 115°. It is gradually decomposed 

 by acids, forming picric acid. 



Action of Baric Hydrate on Picrylchloride, or on Trinitranisol in MetJiyl 



Alcoholic Solution. 



When a concentrated solution of picrylchloride in methyl alcohol 



was treated with an excess of an aqueous solution of baric hydrate, a 



dense mass of red crystals was formed, which were collected, and washed 



with water as quickly as possible to prevent the formation and precipi- 



