M. Riche on Chhrinated Acetone. 453 



The ultimate products of the action of potash on monochlori- 

 nated ether are alcohol and acetic acid. Potash probably first 

 decomposes it, as does water ; and then the substance formed 

 undergoes a decomposition analogous to that which hydride of 

 beuzoyle experiences under the influence of potash, 



C8 W O-i + KO H0 = C4 H6 02 + C* W K O^. 



Alcohol. Acetate of potash. 



The action of the halogens, chlorine, bromine, &c., is much 

 more powerful in the nascent state than under ordinary condi- 

 tions. Thus the electrolysis of an adequately dilute solution of 

 hydrochloric, hydrobromic, or hydriodic acids, gives rise to the 

 production of oxygen acids of chlorine, bromine, and iodine. 

 Similarly the electrolysis of a mixture of hydrochloric acid and 

 alcohol yields at first acetic, and afterwards chloracetic acid, the 

 formation of which otherwise requires the prolonged action of 

 chlorine in the sunlight. 



Riche* has recently investigated the action of these nascent 

 halogens on some organic compounds. By transmitting the 

 current produced by three Bunsen's cells through a mixture of 

 acetone and hydrochloric acid for about twenty hours, an oil is 

 obtained almost equal in bulk to that of the acetone taken. 

 This, on being washed, dried, and rectified, was found to consist 

 principally of a liquid boiling at 1 18°, and which had the com- 

 position of monochlorinated acetone, C* H^ ClO^. It is a colour- 

 less liquid heavier than water, with a strong odour, and power- 

 fully excites tears. It is somewhat soluble in water, and very 

 much so in ether and in alcohol. 



The action of nascent chlorine on methylic alcohol has yielded 

 to Riche results difi'ering from those obtained by Cloez in his 

 experiments. The crude product of the electrolysis of a mixture 

 of hydrochloric acid and methylic alcohol, on rectification yielded 

 a liquid boiling between 116° and 118°. It gave, on analysis, 

 numbers agreeing with the formula C'* H'^ C10-, which is that of 

 monochlorinated aldehyde, and is isomeric with chloride of ace- 

 tyle. It is insoluble in water, and very soluble in alcohol and 

 in ether. Its density is 1'23; and it distils without any decom- 

 position. 



Liebigt has observed that tartaric acid occurs among the pro- 

 ducts of oxidation of milk-sugar. When the mother-liquor 

 resulting from the preparation of mucic acid from milk-sugar and 

 nitric acid is half neutralized with potash and left to stand some 



* Repertoire de Chimie, May 1859. 

 t Liebig's Annalen, August 1859. 



