CHEMISTRY. 509 



volume of the liquid increases greatly (2J times) aud the yellow color 

 passes to browD, and at the end of the reaction to a dark green. The 

 products form two layers ; one is aqueous and contains nitrous acid 

 and the oxidation products of glycerine ; the other, which is three times 

 greater in volume, contains chiefly a nitrous ether of glycerine. To 

 isolate the latter the two layers are separated, and the larger portion is 

 distilled on a water-bath in a strong current of hydrogen. The dis- 

 tillate is the trinitrous ether of glycerine, C3H5(N02)3, mixed probably 

 with the dinitrous compound. 



This new body is a yellow, mobile liquid, volatile at ordinary temper- 

 atures, distilling at 150°, and decomposing in part with liberation of 

 reddish vapors. Its density at 10° is 1.291. It burns with a white flame 

 and does not detonate when struck. It has a strong nitrous odor. It 

 is soluble in ether, in chloroform, aud in benzine, and insoluble in car- 

 bon disulphide. It dissolves in acetic acid, with a green color and lib- 

 eration of NO ; it is rapidly reduced by H2S ; it is decomposed by 

 K2CO3, forujing KNO3. This ether is insoluble in water, but the latter 

 liberates NO at the point of contact, especially when warmed or agi- 

 tated. Exposed to the air in presence of moisture the body forms crys- 

 tals of oxalic acid. It cannot be preserved in sealed tubes, for it spon- 

 taneously decomposes with evolution of gas in such quantities as to 

 break them. {Journ. Chem. Soc, XLiii, 341.) 



Synthesis of a Coloring Matter similar to that of Litmus^ by M. 0. Traub 

 and C. Hock. — By the action of small quantities of sodium nitrite on 

 resorcine at 150° a deep-blue material is obtained, which is reddened 

 by an acid in the same manner as a litmus solution. 



The best method of preparing the new body is as follows : 100 parts 

 of resorcine, 5 of sodium nitrite, and 5 of water are heated in a flask 

 over an oil-bath gradually to 110°. The yellow mass becomes darker 

 and a lively reaction sets in, necessitating moderation of heat; the con- 

 tents of the flask becomes raspberry-red and the action is quieter; 

 then the heat is increased to 115°, or 120° at the highest, ammonia be- 

 ing disengaged and the material becoming blue. 



The deep-blue solution is diluted and a quantity of hydrochloric acid 

 is added, forming a precipitate, which is collected on a filter aud dried. 

 As thus obtained it forms a shining, red-brown, amorphous body, insol- 

 uble in chloroform, benzene, and benzine, and soluble in methyl-, ethyl- 

 aud amyl-alcohol, in ether, and pure water. All these solutions show 

 a peculiar red color, which is turned to blue by the slightest trace of an 

 alkali. The alkaline solution shows a broad band in its spectrum near 

 the line D, which shades off toward E. In acid solution it cuts off the 

 more refrangible parts of the spectrum. 



The exact nature of this substance is under investigation. {Berichte 

 d. chem Ges. xvii, 2015.) 



