Saponification-velocity. —> 
( 620 ) 
2. If it be supposed that both cane-sugar and the products obtained 
by inversion d-glucose and d-fructose are of an acidic nature, then 
the qualitative action in the experiments of RayMAN and SULC may 
be explained by assuming that the produced invert-sugar is a stronger 
acid than the originally present saccharose. 
It was now my object to experimentally prove in the first place 
the correctness of that assumption. If it is correct then it must be 
assumed that by the action of pure water on saccharose two (stronger) 
acids are formed which as their amounts increase will accelerate 
the inversion. 
That cane-sugar behaves like an acid is shown by the researches of 
C. KULLGREN in ARRHENIUS’ laboratory. He determined the influence 
exercised by different non-electrolytes on the saponification-velocity 
of ethyl acetate by sodium hydroxide at 20°.7 C. 
His results are represented graphically in fig. 1. The abscissae 
EERE 
ERE 
Wi 
=_I 
vo 
4 98 32 36 40 44 48 52 56 60 64 68 
Percentages by volume. > 
Fig. 1. 
represent the concentrations of the added non-electrolytes (in per- 
centage by volume). 
Curve I relates to the experiments with acetone. 
” II EE EEE} » 5 ethyl alcohol. 
” HI 22 TRED EE) ” methyl alcohol. 
” TY EE) JRE) 2 ” glycerol. 
V, er Per as »,  saccharose. 
the ordinates the saponification-velocities at 20°.7 C. 
From this representation we see at once that glycerol and parti- 
