272 M. Wurtz on the Artificial Formation of Glycerine. 
In the paper* in which he described the formation of a new 
series of diatomic alcohols, Wurtz expressed the opinion that the. 
same method would lead to the formation of glycerine. Wurtzt 
has lately realized that anticipation, and succeeded in forming 
glycerine by synthesis. A glycerine may be derived from the 
bromide of a carbohydrogen, C” H"~’ Br’, by substituting for 
each equivalent of bromine an equivalent of water and an equi- 
valent of oxygen. Such a bromine compound is readily pre- 
pared by the action of bromine on iodide of allyle, C® H*I. 
When bromine is added in small portions to iodide of allyle, an 
action takes place which must be moderated by placing the vessel 
in a freezing mixture; iodine is eliminated, and separates out in 
erystalline form, and 3 equivalents of bromine remain combined 
with the group C® H®. 
This terbromide of allyle, when purified, is a colourless heavy 
liquid, which is, however, generally of a beautiful rose tint, from 
the presence of a small quantity of iodine. At 10°C. it erystal- 
lizes in colourless prisms which melt at 17°; it distils without 
decomposition at 217°. 
Three equivalents of acetate of silver were mixed with 1 equi- 
valent of terbromide of allyle dissolved in erystallizable acetic 
acid ; the mixture was heated for several days to 120° C., and 
the mass then extracted with ether. The ztherial solution was 
distilled on the water-bath, and the residue treated with lime 
and then with ether. The colourless etherial solution left, after 
evaporation in the water-bath, a neutral yellowish oil, which after 
appropriate purification was analysed. It gave numbers corre- 
sponding to C!®HO!?, which is the formula of triacetine, 
C® H® 
3(C* HH oy } 
the quantity of acetic acid required by that formula. 
To obtain the glycerine contained in this triacetine, it was 
treated with baryta water, the excess of baryta removed, and the 
liquid filtered and evaporated to dryness. The residue was then 
extracted with absolute alcohol ; the alcoholic solution evaporated 
on a salt-bath left glycerine, which was distilled in vacuo. The 
liquid which passed over had all the physical and chemical pro- 
perties of glycerine, and gave on analysis the numbers required 
by that substance. When treated with iodide of phosphorus, 
PI?, it gave iodide of allyle. 
O®, and a portion of this treated with baryta gave 
The action of chlorides of the negative radicals on sodium 
and potassium alcohols generally gives rise to compound ethers. 
* Comptes Rendus, July 25 and September 1. Phil, Mag. Supplement, 
January 1857. 
+ Comptes Rendus, April 13, 1857. 
