Mr. A. S. Couper on a New Chemical Theory. 115 



In like manner as to the acids of these glycols ; oxalic acid, for 



p-O-OH 

 instance, may be represented as -...qs 



^"•0-OH 



Respecting these acids, it may perhaps be allowable to suggest 

 the possibility of the molecule having two poles, and that espe- 

 cially the atom of oxygen situated at one or perhaps both, and 

 near to two atoms of oxygen bound together, and forming no 

 secondary combinate, may be in a state presenting great affi- 

 nity for basic oxygen. Analogy with the electric poles may 

 perhaps demand the opinion that all the negative oxygen be 

 situated upon one side of the molecule. It will in that case be 



...02 



V ■ 02 

 preferable to represent the oxalic acid as ri''r).,.r)fr' Be that 



'O-OH 

 as it may, however, the rational method of investigation proves 

 it to be a law, that in acids of the type nCM* the presence of 

 two atoms of oxygen bound together so as to form only a primary 

 part of the same molecule, and situated close to the negative 

 oxygen, is necessary to the calling forth or production of this 

 negative state. 



This is a particular instance, but it moreover shows generally 

 how the electro-positive or the electro-negative value of the elements 

 mutually modify and condition the electro-positive or electro-nega- 

 tive value of each other when in combination. 



This law is different from the electric hypothesis which che- 

 mists have formerly defended, but which never could be traced 

 throughout a thoroughgoing application of their views to organic 

 chemistry. 



The law here distinctly enounced coincides exactly with, and 

 is rendered apparent by the application of the theory of chemical 

 combination which I support. 



But to return. Glycerine is 



.O-OH ,H 



C-O-OH C O-OH 



i'-H , , ., r-O-OH 



(J...JJ2 , and glyceric acid ^...112 



.V H2 :...0^ 



^••0-OH ^•••O-.OH 



Glucose has been perhaps too little investigated to afford data 

 sufficient to determine dttinitcly its formula. Taking, however, 

 mucic and saccharic acids as starting-points, these bodies may 



12 



