ITS PRODUCTS OF DECOMPOSITION. 69 
alcohol, and precipitated by ether from the solution. It fuses at 212° into a black - 
resinous mass. In acids it is readily soluble, with the formation of salts which 
are amorphous, and dry up by evaporation into brown resins. 
Analysis gave the following results :— 
5:400 grains amorphous codeine gave 
I 14:240 --- of carbonic acid, and 
3663 ++. of water. 
4-532 grains amorphous codeine gave 
II. < 12-054 --- of carbonic acid, and 
2-781 «-- of water 
Experiment. Calculation. 
I. Ii. 
Carbon, . ; é f , 71:92 72-53 72°24 
Hydrogen, : 4 é ; 7-538 6°84 7:02 
Nitrogen, $ F 5 ahs hs 6°68 
Oxygen, ° ‘ sao bbe 16:06 

100-00 
These results correspond sufficiently closely with those of codeine to shew 
that this substance is represented by the same formula. At the same time it is 
to be observed, that the action does not stop at the point at which amorphous 
codeine is formed; for the excess of carbon and deficiency of hydrogen in the 
second analysis (which occurred also in another analysis from a different prepa- 
ration), appear to me to shew that some farther change had taken place. Indeed, 
by continuing the action of sulphuric acid, a deep-green powder was obtained, 
which contained sulphur, and agreed in its general properties with the sulpho- 
morphide described by Arpre, and the corresponding sulphonarcotide of Laurent 
and GERHARDT. 
IV. Action of Nitric Acid. 
Mitrocodeine—When strong nitric acid is poured upon codeine, and heat ap- 
plied, violent action takes place, nitrous fumes are abundantly evolved, and the 
solution acquires a red colour. If the fluid be evaporated on the water-bath, a 
yellow resinous acid is left, which dissolves in ammonia and potash solutions, 
with a red colour.* Ifthe nitric acid be employed in a sufficiently dilute state, a 
different result is obtained, and a nitrobase is formed, to which I give the name of 
nitrocodeine. 
The preparation of this substance is a matter of some nicety, as by the con- 
tinued action even of very dilute nitric acid it is rapidly destroyed. The opera- 
tion succeeds best when the acid employed is of a specific gravity of 1:060. Acid 
of this density is heated in a flask, but not to ebullition, and finely-powdered co- 
deine is added, and a moderate heat is sustained. In the course of a few minutes 
a small quantity of the fluid is poured out into a glass, and an excess of ammonia 

* The constitution and properties of this substance will be detailed in a future communication. 
VOL. XX. PART I. T 
