448 RECORD OF SCIENCE FOR 1887 AND 1888. 



This order of syntheses is discussed iu previous papers. In the present 

 essay the reactions are but little more complex. In the first case, in 

 which oxygen is taken up to form phenol, the equations are as follows: 



C6H6 + + Al2ClG = C6H5.0.Al2C]5+nCl, 



an oxygenated compound being formed which, upon treatment with 

 water, is destroyed and phenol is generated. 



06H5.O.Al2Cl5 + H2O = C6H5On + Al2Cl5(OH). 



The definite addition compounds of aromatic hydrocarbons and alumi- 

 num chlorides which were some time ago described by Gustavson, Frie- 

 del and Crafts were unable to prepare. Instead they obtained variable 

 mixtures. They describe, however, a definite aluminum-phenyl, which 

 serves as a starting point for still other syntheses. (Ann. Chim. Phys. 

 (6), XIV, 433.) 



The application of aluminum chloride to organic syntheses in the 

 fatty series has also been studied by Combes {Ibid., xir, 199), with ref- 

 erence to diphenyl by Adam {ibid., xv, 224), and in connection with 

 naphthalene derivatives by Eoux {ibid., xir, 289). 



Inosite. — This substance, isomeric with glucose, has been elaborately 

 studied by Maquenne. With acids it yields ethers which prove it to 

 be a hexatomic alcohol, while with reducing and oxydizing agt- nts it 

 gives derivatives belonging in the aromatic series. Its constitution, 

 therefore, seems to be "hexagonal" like that of benzene; but the evi- 

 dence leads Maquenne to suppose that it contains no double bonds and 

 is to be regarded rather as a derivative of hexaniethylene. As existing 

 in j)lants it is perhaps an intermediary between the fatty and the aro- 

 matic compounds, and one of the sources from which the natural ben- 

 zene derivatives originate. (Am. Chim. Phys. (G), xii, 80.) 



Perseite. — Maquenne, in a new research upon this carbohydrate, finds 

 by Eaonlt's method that its molecular weight is represented by the 

 formula C6H]40,i. It acts as a hexatomic alcohol, and its hexacetate, 

 hexnitrate, etc., are described. (Compt. Rend., cvi, 1235.) 



In a later paper Maquenne revises his former conclusions, and shows 

 that i)erseite is really a heptavalent alcohol of formula 07tIi6O7. On 

 treatment with boiling hydriodic acid it yields heptine, C7H12. (Compt. 

 Rend., cvii, 583.) 



Graminin and phlein. — Two new carbohydrates, isomeric with inulin, 

 are given the above names by Ekstrand and Johanson. The first is de- 

 rived from the rhizomes of Trisetnm alpestre ; the second from Phleum 

 pratense. (Berichte, xxi, 594.) 



Cadaverin. — This base, derived from i^utrefaction, has been identified 

 by Ladenburg as pentamethylenediamine. Both cadaverin and the 

 synthetic compound forni the same double salt with mercuric chloride. 

 (Berichte, xx, 2217.) , 



fl 



