( 182 ) 
case it ought to be possible to calculate a constant by means of the 
formula employed for monomolecular reactions. 
We are, therefore, dealing here with a case quite analogous to 
that of the spontaneous decomposition of alkyl sulphurie acid and 
nitrocellulose mentioned by Osrwarp; it is known that this may be 
prevented by adding a little K, CO, or Ca CO,, 
The reaction in the presence of alcohol takes place in a similar 
manner ; on warming on the waterbath it may according to CHATTAWAY 
and Orton become so violent that the aleohol begins to boil. This 
may be prevented by adding a trace of Na,CO, which fact has been 
noticed by ARMsTRONG (L. ¢.). 
We therefore, see: 
1. That the conversion of acetylechloroacetanilide into p-chloro- 
acetanilide proceeds like a monomolecular reaction and that it repre- 
sents a true intramolecular rearrangement of atoms. It may therefore 
be compared to the case of the transformation of the bromo-amides 
under the influence of alkalis studied by van Dam and ABERSON ’). 
2. That Br, Cl, NO,, NO, and O attached to N change place, under 
the influence of sunlight, with an H-atom present in the nucleus. 
3. That the conversion of acetylchloroacetanilide in aleoholie or 
acetic acid solution is caused by the formation of a catalyser which 
causes the reaction to proceed at an increasing rate (particularly in 
sunlight); this may ‚be prevented by adding a trace of sodium carbonate 
or acetate as this removes the catalyser. 
The investigation will be continued in various directions. 
Chemistry. — “Galvanic cells and the phase rule.’ By Dr. W. 
Rempers of Breda. (Communicated by Prof. H. W. BaKnuis 
RoozrBoomM). 
9 
Nernst 7) and, more recently, Bancrorr*) have tried to establish a 
relation between galvanic cells, consisting of a combination of two 
metals surrounded by electrolytes in communication with each other, 
and the phase rule. Neither of them, however has paid sufficient 
attention to the fact that: When the phase A is in equilibrium with 
B and also with C, then B must be also in equilibrium with C. 
They regard the liquid electrolyte, in contact with the metals, as 
one homogeneous phase, whilst in reality two phases exist which are 
1) Recueil 19. 318 (1900). 
2) Theor. Chem. le Aufl. p. 560, 3e Aufl. p. 660. 
5) J. of phys. Ch. Il 427 (1898), 
