THE ODOUR OF MUSK. 7. 
obtained. One hundred parts of the former give a like quantity 
of musk preparation. Three parts of fuming nitric acid of 1°52 
sp. gr. and six parts of fuming sulphuric acid are mixed together, 
and to this mixture is carefully added, whilst cooling, one part of the 
hydrocarbon aforesaid. Each drop causes a violent reaction. As 
soon as all the hydrocarbon is added, the whole mixture is heated 
up to a temperature of about 100° C. After cooling, the nitro- 
product is precipitated by pouring into cold water of about five 
or six times the volume, and is separated from superfluous acid 
by washing with cold water. The nitro-product separates first as 
a heavy viscid oil, which after some time hardens into a firm crys- 
talline substance. The raw nitro-product is then purified by re- 
crystallization from alcohol of 90°/,. The pure product crystallizes 
out in yellowish-white needles possessing a strong smell of musk. 
It is insoluble in water, easily soluble in alcohol and ether, and 
slightly volatile with water-vapour. 
Another “substitute” for musk has been patented in England by 
Emil Schnaufer and Heinrich Hupfeld of Frankfort (No. 18521, 
18 Dec. 1888), according to the specification of which “ three 
parts of metaxylol, two parts of isobutyl alcohol, and nine 
parts of chloride of zinc are heated in a digestor to from 220° to 
240° until the pressure, which at the commencement is from 25 
to 29 atmospheres, sinks to below 6 atmospheres. The resulting 
hydrocarbon, corresponding to the formula C,,Hjg, is collected, and 
the fraction which distils over at from 190° to 230° is nitrated with 
HNO; or with HNO, and H,SO,, whilst being cooled. The pro- 
duct of the reaction is poured into water, whereupon a reddish- 
brown oil separates which is washed several times with alkaline 
water. The formula of this oil is C;},H,;NOg,, and in a concentrated 
condition it possesses a sweet smell, whilst in a dilute solution it 
gives off a penetrating and enduring musk-like odour.” 
The Complete Specification states that “ aromatic hydrocarbons 
containing the iso-propyl, iso-butyl, or iso-amyl group, on treat- 
ment with fuming nitric acid or a mixture of strong nitric acid 
(40° to 44° B.) and sulphuric acid (66° B.), produce derivatives 
which, in very dilute alcoholic solution, furnish a liquid possessing 
an odour resembling tincture of musk in the highest degree.” In 
the Provisional Specification only one example of the process is 
given by way of illustration, but of course the process may be 
carried out with the other well-known homologues. ‘‘ The hydro- 
