626 SCIENTIFIC EECORD FOR 1682. 



mellitic acid and some of its derivatives, such as tbe bydro-mellitic, 

 pyro-mellitic, and hydro-pyro-mellitic acids. 



Tbe muddy deposit contained a black substance soluble in liot water 

 and alkalies, but insoluble in most mineral acids and in tbe majority of 

 organic solvents. Tbe autbors named tbis body mellogen, since, on 

 oxidation, it yields acids of tbe benzo-carbouic series. It bas tbe com- 

 position CuB^Oi. {Comptcs Rendus, May 15, 18S2.) 



Acctoxims. — By tbe action of acetone on bydroxylamin, Alois Janny 

 has obtained tbe first member of a new series of bodies, for wbicb series 

 he i)roposes tbe name of acetoxims. Tbis name is applied to bodies 

 containing (be group =CNOH united on two sides to carbon. When 

 only one bond of tbe carbon group is united to carbon and tbe other 

 to hydrogen, derivatives of aldehyde are formed for which the name 

 aldoxims is suggested. 



Tbe simplest body of the acetoxims is dimetbylacetoxim, having the 

 formula CH3 — C(NHO) — OH3. This is obtained by mixing an, aqueous 

 solution of hydroxylamine with acetone and extracting ether, which 

 leaves, on evaporation, brilliant white, hard, volatile, prismatic crys- 

 tals. It is soluble in water, alcohol, ether, «&c., and melts at 59^ to 60° 

 C, distilling without decomposition atl34o.8C. It is a neutral sub- 

 stance, and has a slight odor, resembling chloral. 



Tbe author has also prepared and studied ethyl-metbylacetoxim, 

 metbylpseudobutylacetoxim, and some analogous phenyl derivatives. 

 {Berichte d. chem. Ges., XV, pp. 1324 and 2778.) 



JJiplwnylaminacroleine has been prepared by Prof. Albert E. Leeds*by 

 heating an alcoholic solution of dipbenylamine with an excess of acro- 

 Icine. After a few hours' digestion a heavy red precipitate forms, soluble 

 in boiling alcohol, together with a sticky insoluble mass. Tbe latter is 

 treated with alcohol and water until it becomes pulverulent and capa- 

 ble of being powdered in a mortar. Tbis amorphous substance proves 

 to be diphenylaminacroleine (Ci2HioN)2 C3H4. It does not fuse nor 

 sublime, but is decomposed, on beating, into a carbonaceous mass. It 

 is insoluble in ether, slightly soluble in alcohol and acetic acid, and solu- 

 ble in chloroform, yielding a dark red liquid. It could not be obtained 

 in crystals. Bromine converts it into a bromo-compound, also amor- 

 phous, and not further examined. 



Homoquinine, a netv Alkaloid. — Howard and Hodgkin have obtained 

 a new alkaloid from cinchona bark, for wbicb they projiose tbe name 

 hotnoquinine. Its properties are similar to those of quinine, having the 

 same 8i)ecific rotary power, and nearly tbe same composition, but it 

 crystallizes from ether more readily, and differs in tbe solubility of its 

 salts. One part of tbe sulphate of bomoquinino requires more than 100 

 of water for solution. Alcohol of 90 per cent, dissolves 7.64 parts of 

 the alkaloid, a 5 per cent, solution of which shows a rotation of — 158<5. 

 (J, Chem. ISoe., xx<i, p. 66.) » 



