674 TRANS. ST. LOUIS ACAD. SCIENCE. 



all non-metallic elements in binary salts are oxidized to ternary 

 salts by passing- through the free state; while metallic {electro- 

 positive^ elements never pass through the free state in the 

 process of oxidation. This fact alone ought to suggest that the 

 elements which pass through the free state (the necessary zero of 

 valence) change sign. 



We find ample proof of this in reactions involving oxidation 

 and reduction. 



The change of valence in oxidation can always be measured by 

 the number of atoms of O or C/, or some equivalent element 

 absorbed. For convenience in comparison we shall use the Qt 

 equivalent. We find it requires 



6C/ equivalents to change bromides to bromates, 



6C/ " " iodides to iodates, 



6C/ " " chlorides to chlorates, 



8C/ " " iodides to periodates, 



8C/ " " chlorides to perchlorates, 



2C/ " " iodates to periodates, 



2C/ " " chlorates to perchlorates, 



cCl " " bromine to bromates, 



^C/ " " iodine to iodates. 



cQl " " chlorine to chlorates, 



yC/ '' '' iodine to periodates, 



yC/ " " chlorine to perchlorates, 



8C/ " " H3A5 to H3A5O4, 



8C/ " " HgS^ to HS^Og, 



6C/ " " HgAi- to H3A5O3, 



6C/ " •' H3S3 to HS/5O2, 



2C/ " " arsenites to arsenates, 



2C/ " " antimonites to antimonates^ 



-iQl " '' Ks to arsenites. 



xQl " '' S^ to antimonites, 



5C/ " " A5 to arsenates, 



^C/ " " '^b to antimonates, 



8C/ " " sulphides to sulphates, 



8C/ " " selenides to selenates, 



8C/ " " tellurides to tellurates, 



6C/ " " sulphides to sulphites, 



