CHEMISTRY, 415 



sunlight, but he can not find any other explanation of the facts. He 

 thinks that there is evidence of the existence of orotophylline in living 

 plants. He also finds that by pushing the reducing action of nascent 

 hydrogen further another and colorless substance is obtained, which is 

 now under examination. (Comptes Rendus, cii, 687.) 



Acetophenone, a new Hypnotic. — Acetophenone, also called acetylben- 

 zene, CeHs . CO . CH3, has been found to possess valuable hypnotic 

 properties. It is as yet only a laboratory product, but there should be 

 no great difficulties in manufacturing it on a commercial scale. It is 

 commonly obtained by distilling a mixture of calcium benzoate and cal- 

 cium acetate, though many other methods are named in hand-books. It 

 forms at ordinary temperatures a clear, colorless liquid, having a per- 

 sistent characteristic odor; at a lower temperature it forms large flaky 

 crystals, melting at 20^.5 C. Dr. Dujardin-Beaumetz, who has discov- 

 ered its hypnotic properties, recommends it for simple insomnia, and 

 says its use is not followed by disagreeable after-symptoms, such as 

 nausea, headache, etc. He proposes for this substance the trade-name 

 "hypnone." (Bull. G^nerale de Therapeutique, 1886.) 



On Thionaphthenes, by Victor Meyer. — The author states that the first 

 thiophene of the naphthalene series, which he names thionaphthene, has 

 been obtained in his laboratory by A. Biedermaun. It has the consti- 

 tution 



H 

 . C 



/ \ 

 HC C CH 



II II I 



HC C CH 



\ / \ ^ 

 S - c 



I 



OH 



The author has obtained thionaphthene itself by the action of phos- 

 phide of sulphur on cumarone, the analogies of which are shown by 

 the following schemes : 



H H 



C C 



^ \ ^ \ 

 HC C CH HC C CH 



I II II I II II 



HC C CH HC C CH 



\ / \ / \ / \ / 



CO c s 



H H 



Cumarone. Thionaphthene. 



(Ber. d. cbem, Ges., xix, 1432 and 1615.) 



