751 
found GH: 0,(0CH}); 
1) 13:010/, OCH;, 13:36°/, OCH; 
2) 1302, „ 
Whether this substance represents really a chemical individuum, 
methyl-bixin, we eannot say with certainty, but we think it probable. 
Reduction of bixin. 
The reduction of bixin has been tried by Etti and later on by 
Zwick, but the results were of little importance. We succeeded in 
obtaining a crystallized reduction product, which is however very 
unstable in the presence of air. Its preparation is rather tedious 
and the yields unsatisfactory. 
We proceeded as follows: 5 g of bixin were heated with 100 cm 
of glacial acetic acid to the boiling point of the latter, and to the 
solution gradually added 10 g of zincdust. After a few minutes 
the original red brown colour of the solution turned bright orange; 
at this stage the vessel was closed with a stopper provided with 
a Bunsen ventil and heated on the water bath for 3 hours, and 
finally filtered. Very soon there were formed in the filtrate orange. 
glittering crystals; these were filtered off and dryed over potassium 
hydrate in vacuo. The dry crystals were then washed with water 
and dryed again over sulphurie acid in a current of carbon bio- 
xide. Finally the product was reerystallized three times from gla- 
cial acetic acid and dryed at first in a desicator over conc. sul- 
phuric acid in a current of carbon bioxide and finally in a U-tube 
at 900, also in a current of carbon bioxide. 
This reduction product represents a beautifully crystallized sub- 
stance, orange in Colour, possesing metallic lustre. Under the mi- 
eroscop it represent rhombs. The best solvent for it is glacial acetie 
acid; chloroform takes it up in small quantities only. still less al- 
cohol and ether. An aequous solution of potassium hydrate does 
not act upon the crystals, alcoholic takes it up readily. Melting 
point 200:5°, heating quickly 208—210°. 
Analysis: 
1) 0:1242 g gave 00854 & H,0. 03435 g CO, 
I), I UNS START 
I) Me 7 BO rn VE 
