OF ARTS AND SCIENCES. 11 



Properties. — It resembles the sodium salt of the bromdinitrophenyl- 

 malonic ester closely in appearance and solubility, but is of a some- 

 what lighter red. Its solution is decomposed, when treated with 

 carbonic dioxide. 



Experiments on the Saponification of BromdinitrophcnyhnaJonic 



Ester. 



In taking up this subject we considered it necessary to study the 

 action of alkalis on the ester, although, owing to the ease with which 

 the nitro groups are attacked, we had little expectation of reaching 

 satisfactory results. In this we were not deceived, but we think it 

 best to give a brief account of these experiments before describing 

 our more successful work with strong hydrochloric acid in sealed 

 tubes. 



A solution of sodic hydrate in water, if boiled with the brom- or 

 anilidodinitromalonic ester, gave a brownish red solution, from which 

 acids precipitated nothing ; but after acidification, and extraction with 

 ether, an unpromising oil was obtained in very small quantity. Cold 

 alcoholic sodic hydrate with the anilido compound gave a somewhat 

 more promising result, but in this case also most of the substance 

 seemed to be decomposed. The bromine compound after standing for 

 two weeks with ammonic hydrate at ordinary temperatures was con- 

 verted into a similar brown solution, which on acidification gave a 

 resinous brown precipitate and a yellow filtrate, from which ether ex- 

 tracted a substance melting above 200° , ammonic bromide being 

 formed during the process. This is the only one of these products 

 which seems worth further investigation. 



o 



Action of Hydrochloric Acid.* 



"When the bromdinitrophenylmalonic ester was heated with strong 

 hydrochloric acid in a sealed tube to 140°-145°, it was decomposed, 

 and upon opening the tube a gas was given off in tolerable quantity, 

 which burnt with a green-bordered flame, and was without doubt 

 ethylchloride. About one gram of the substance and :><> c.c. of 

 common strong hydrochloric acid were used in each tube, and the 

 temperature should not be allowed to go above 150°, as in this r:i-- 

 an impure product was the result. If proper care was used in the 

 heating, the tube contained crystals, or a clear liquid, from which 

 crystals were deposited after the pressure was relieved; these were 



* All our work on this part of the subject must lie regarded as preliminary. 



