Mr. F. Guthrie on Iodide of Acetyle. 185 
Calculated. Found. 
SS 
CP i oe OA. 14°12 = 30 15°39 
Me 3 1:76 ae 2°30 
ESOS! UG 9-41 site 
THD, Ae 74°71 73°68 
The excess in carbon and hydrogen, and the deficiency in 
iodine, show that the liquid was not quite free from anhydrous 
acetic acid. 
Zinc and sodium decompose iodide of acetyle at ordinary tem- 
peratures. Mercury, aided by the sun’s light, also effects a re- 
composition, iodide of mercury being formed, and little or no 
permanent gas being evolved. The products of the action of 
these three metals appear to be alike, and to consist of a body 
or bodies, soluble in ether, and rapidly solidifying in contact 
with the air, probably owing to the absorption of oxygen. These 
bodies have not been obtained in a state fit for analysis. 
If dry ammonia be passed over iodide of acetyle, an elevation 
of temperature occurs, the ammonia being abundantly absorbed. 
In the first place, two atoms of ammonia are concerned, the pro- 
ducts being acetylamine and iodide of ammonium, according to 
the formula 
2NH? + C4 H3 O? 1=NH‘*1+ NH? C* H? O?. 
The iodide of ammonium, being insoluble in acetylamine, sepa- 
rates in the solid form. On continuing the action of ammonia 
upon this heterogeneous product, another atom of ammonia 
engages in the reaction, the iodide of ammonium dissolves, and 
a heavy, brown-coloured, oily liquid results, of spec. grav. 1°52 
at 19° C., which becomes colourless on standing. This liquid 
yields up its third atom of ammonia even on exposure to the air, 
leaving behind acetylamine and iodide of ammonium. Heated 
with soda-lime, according to Will and Varrentrap’s method, 
2684 grm. gave a platinum salt containing ‘3376 grm. of pla- 
tinum, or the liquid contained 21°82 per cent. of ammonia, 
The formula C+ H? O? 14+ 38NH?® requires 23-08 per cent. 
With respect to the rational constitution of this body little 
can be predicted. If the ammonium type be preserved, as is 
probable, it may be represented by the self-explicatory scheme,— 
C4 H? O? 
CO he by 
Treated with hydrochloric acid and bichloride of platinum, a 
