526 Intelligence and Miscellaneous Articles. 



The action is very simple. The bromine combines with the metal 

 of the oxide, while the oxygen of the latter acts upon the oxalic acid 

 to form carbonic acid; the result being C> O^, MO + Br- = MBr*» 

 + 2C^0'-. 



Action of Bromine on Acetates. — When bromine is poured into a 

 solution of acetate of potash or of soda, no reaction takes place, nor 

 is there any increase of temperature; the only observable phaenoraenon 

 is the solution of a considerable quantity of bromine. The liquor is 

 gradually decolorized during spontaneous evaporation, owing to the 

 disengagement of bromine, accompanied with the odour of the hypo- 

 bromites ; if it be lieated the decolorization is more rapid. 'I'he 

 liquid when evajjoratcd to dryness yields a residue which is almost 

 entirely soluble in alcohol. The alcoholic liquor, when exposed to a 

 gentle heat, leaves pure acetate of potash. 



The modes of action of bromine upon alkaline oxalates and 

 acetates are so distinct, that it is evident, if citric and tartaric acids 

 contained oxalic and acetic acid, the former would be entirely con- 

 verted into carbonic acid, while the latter would remain unacted 

 upon, unless in the nascent state in the presence of bromine, it 

 formed new derivative products. 



Action of Bromine on Citrate of Potash. — When bromine is gra- 

 dually added to a concentrated solution of citrate of potash, it soon 

 disappears, and the liquid becomes hot, accompanied with the biisk 

 effervescence of pure carbonic acid. 



Bromine is to be added till effervescence ceases, and the liquor 

 becomes of a permanent reddish tint; if the excess of bromine be then 

 removed by the cautious addition of a dilute solution of potash, an 

 oily, colourless, very heavy and fluid liquid is precipitated, the aro- 

 matic odour of which resembles that of bromoforni. 



This liquid is extremely complex, and contains three distinct sub- 

 stances : the most volatile is easily obtained in a pure state ; it is 

 broraoform. The least volatile ])rodact is solid and crystallizable ; 

 it is pirtly altered by heat, and is evidently a new substance. I'he 

 third compound, which arises during the reaction, is formed only in 

 very small pro])ortion, and it is impossible to deprive it entirely of 

 bromoform or the crystallized substance. 



In order to separate these substances, the rough oil is first to be 

 washed with water to dejirive it entirely of bi'omide of potassium ; 

 the mixture of oil and water is then to be submitted to careful 

 distillation, stopping it as soon as but few small droj)s only of oil 

 pass over with the vapour of water. This first liquid is separated 

 from the water by decantation, dried over fused chloride of calcium, 

 and then distilled alone, as long as its boiling-point remains constant. 



The product thus purified is a colourless liquid of an agreeable 

 aromatic and somewhat intoxicating odour; its sp. gr. is 2"90 at 

 54' F.; it boils at 305° F. When boiled with a concentrated solu- 

 tion of potash it is decomposed, giving rise to the formation of 

 cl Ijride [bromide] of potassium and formiate of potash. 



It ai)peared to consist of, in 100 parts, — 



