M. Nachbaur on a Neiv Base. 133 



may be observed that it differs from picramic acid (which is also 

 produced by the action of reducing agents on picric acid) by 

 the elements of cyanic acid, 



Picramic acid Isopui'puric acid. 



But picramic acid could not be detected among the products of 

 the decomposition of isopurpuric acid. 



Geisse* has found that chloropicrine, C^ CF NO'*, when sub- 

 mitted to the reducing action of acetate of iron, or of protosul- 

 phate of iron, is converted into methylamine. The action is in 

 accordance with the equation 



C2CPN04 + 12H = n|^'}J' + 3HC1 + 4HO. 



Chloropicrine. Methylamine. 



By distilling acetate of lime with prussiau blue or with cya- 

 nide of mercury. Bonnet obtained a product consisting of water, 

 and a colourless, neutral, uninflammable liquid, with an odour 

 resembling both prussic acid and tobacco smoke. This substance 

 he stated to be cyanoform, C^ H Cy^, analogous with chloroform, 

 iodoform, &c. 



Nachbaurf has investigated this reaction, and has found that 

 Bonnet's statements arc erroneous. The crude product obtained 

 by the distillation is a complicated mixture, containing acctoni- 

 trile, acetone, and hydrocyanic acid, and besides this a new and 

 peculiar volatile base. To obtain the latter, the crude product 

 is rectified in the water-bath — about one-half passes over between 

 77° and 80°; the receiver is now changed, and the distillate 

 tested from time to time with sulphuric acid; and as soon as 

 this produces a crystalline precipitate, the receiver is again 

 changed. The distillate now contains the volatile base. It 

 is an alkaline and colourless liquid which becomes gradually 

 yellow. Its odour is unpleasant, and resembles propylamine. 

 Heated for some time with water it is decomposed, with forma- 

 tion of hydrocyanic acid. It gives a ])recipitatc with chloride of 

 platinum. The base could not be obtained pure. Its composi- 

 tion was deduced from that of its salts, which arc with diffi- 

 culty obtained pure from their ready decomposability. 



The oxalate consists of brilliant white crystalline needles. The 

 sulphate is also crystalline. The base forms with iodide of mer- 

 cury a beautiful compound, crystallizing in lustrous lamina;. 



The composition of the base, as deduced from its salts, is 



* Licbig's Annaleii, March 1859. t Ibid. June 1869. 



