M.\BERY. — CONSTITUENTS OP PETROLEUM. 165 



A determination of the molecular weight by the method of Beckmann 

 gave 154; the formula CuHoo requires 154. 



These results indicate the series C^Hj,!, and that the series C„H2„+2 

 has ceased to represent the principal compositiou of Canadian [letroleum 

 at the boiling point 196°. But with reference to the series of hydro- 

 carbons that are now recognized as constituting the main body of petro- 

 leum, it is not easy to classify this hydrocarbon. It is certainly not an 

 unsaturated member of the ethylene series because it lacks additive 

 power for the halogens, fuming sulphui'ic acid, etc. Its specific gravity 

 is much less than that of the naphtene that MarkownikofF and Oglobiue 

 separated at 196°-197° from the Russian oil, 0.8010 at 20°. But it is 

 interesting to observe that the specific gravity of this hydrocarbon is 

 practically the same as Pelouze and Cahours found in the hydrocarbon 

 separated by them at 196°-200° from American petroleum, and which 

 yielded them analytical values, as has already been explained, page 134, 

 corresponding closely to the formula CioHoe- Since the specific gravity 

 of Pelouze and Cahours is so much larger than that of the crude distil- 

 late from Pennsylvania petroleum, 0.7673, it is difficult to escape 

 the conviction that their distillates were prepared from Canadian petro- 

 leum, especially since they allude to an examination of oil from Can- 

 ada, although the source of the particular oil from which w^ere separated 

 the individual hydrocarbons which they described is not evident from 

 their statements. 



In studying the constituents of Pennsylvania oil, it has already been 

 shown that chlorine acts less readily on the principal hydrocarbons than 

 on other constituents. Since this difference on the action of chlorine 

 seemed to afford a means of ascertaining whether Canadian distillates 

 contain any of the series C„H2„ + 2< a small quantity, 16 grams, of the dis- 

 tillate 189°-190° purified with fuming sulphuric acid remaining after the 

 examination already described, was exposed to the action of chlorine 

 until three grams was absorbed, and the product was fractioned in 

 vacuo until a small portion, six grams, distilled at 189°-190° atmospheric 

 pressure. This fraction was boiled with sodium to remove, so far as 

 possible, any chlorine derivative remaining, shaken with sulphuric acid, 

 and again distilled. There was finally obtained about three grams that 

 gave percentages of carbon and hydrogen agreeing fairly well for C11H.24. 



