JACKSON AND GAZZOLO. — NITRO COMPOUNDS, 271 



It was evident, therefore, that we had only the color formed from sodic 

 methylate, and that the acetacetic ester took no part in the reaction. In 

 order, then, to obtain an acetacetic ester addition, it was obviously neces- 

 sary to exclude all alcohol and alcoholates ; we accordingly proceeded as 

 follows. To an excess of acetacetic ester mixed with beuzol a quantity 

 of sodium in the form of ribbon was added (iu our later preparations the 

 amount of sodium used provided three atoms of it to each molecule of 

 triuitranisol). After the sodium had disappeared, the liquid thus obtained 

 was added drop by drop to a benzol solution of triuitranisol. It is un- 

 necessary to say that absolute benzol was used iu all this work. The 

 first drop imparted a deep vermilion color to the solution, and this color 

 became more and more intense as the reaction proceeded. During the 

 process the mixture was kept cool by surrounding the beaker with ice. 

 After all the sodic acetacetic ester had been added, the liquid was mixed 

 with an excess of anhydrous benzol, which threw down a semi-gelatinous 

 or oily precipitate. This was filtered out, washed with beuzol, and 

 pressed upon a porous plate, all these operations being carried, on as 

 quickly as possible.' The dark colored dried product crumbled easily 

 into a red amorphous powder of a much darker color than the addition 

 product from sodic methylate. It was dried in vacuo, and analyzed with 

 the following results : — • 



I. 0.2376 gram of the substance gave 0.0740 gram of sodic sulphate. 



11. 0.2196 gram of the substance gave 0.0697 gram of sodic sulphate. 



III. 0.1928 gram of the substance gave 0.0700 gram of sodic sulphate. 



IV. 0.2596 gram of the substance gave on combustion 0.4028 gram of 



carbonic dioxide and 0.1148 gram of water. In this combustion 

 the substance was mixed with chromic oxide to drive out car- 

 bonic dioxide from the carbonate formed, and was spread out in 

 a long copper boat, which was heated gently and gradually to 

 avoid explosions. 



There can be no doubt, therefore, as each analysis is of the product of 

 a separate preparation, that the substance is a definite compound, and is 

 formed by the addition of three molecules of sodic acetacetic ester to 

 one of trinitranisol. The variation in the percentages of sodium in the 



