M. Bechamp on the alleged production of Urea from Albumen. 139 



tended to the aromatic series of acids. According to analogy, 

 monochlorobenzoate of potash ought to yield oxybenzoic acid, 



Ci"* H-^ KCl 0* + H2 0^ = C^-* H6 06 + KCl. 

 Accordingly chlorobenzoate of potash was heated, both dry and 

 in concentrated aqueous solution, from ISO'^ to 200°. In both 

 cases decomposition ensued, bu.t not as expected; the contents 

 of the tube, instead of an acid, had an alkaline reaction. Pro- 

 bably chlorobenzole and carbonate of potash were formed, 



C''*H''ClKO'i + H2 02=Ci2}PCl + C2 06KH. 



Chlorobenzoate Chlorol)enzole. Carbonate 



of potash. of potash. 



The direct production of urea from albumen by oxidation by 

 means of permanganate of potash, which was stated to have been 

 effected by Bechamp*, has been subjected by Stadelerf to a care- 

 ful examination, and he has arrived at results entirely differing 

 from those of Bechamp. About 50 grms. white of egg (or 6 

 grms. albumen), diluted with water to 180 grms., were heated to 

 a temperature of 50° to 55° C. with 1 grm. permanganate of 

 potash. The action took place very slowly; and when decolori- 

 zation was complete, the solution no longer gave the reactions 

 for albumen : an additional quantity of permanganate was added, 

 and the whole maintained for some time at the previous tempe- 

 rature. The liquid was no longer decolorized; and hence the 

 oxidation for this temperature was complete. To decompose 

 the excess of permanganate, some alcohol was added, the liquid 

 filtered, neutralized with sulphuric acid, and evaporated to dry- 

 ness, the residue extracted with alcohol, the solution poured off 

 from the deposit (which consisted of sulphate of potash and a 

 yellowish syrup), and evaporated to a small volume. This 

 residue contained no crystals of urea ; but when nitric acid was 

 added, crystals were formed which had indeed some resemblance 

 to that substance, but could not be taken for it without further 

 investigation. 



If these crystals were nitrate of urea, urea could readily be 

 obtained therefrom : they were dried between blotting-paper and 

 treated v.ith moist carbonate of baryta, filtered and evaporated, 

 and the residue extracted with alcohol. In this solution no urea 

 was found ; on the contrary, all its reactions exhibited in the 

 most characteristic manner the presence of benzoic acid in the 

 i'ovin of benzoate of baryta. And the presence of benzoic acid is 

 the less surprising, as it was found by. Guckelberger as a product 

 of the action of cliromic acid on proteine substances. It is re- 



* Phil. Mag. vol. xii. p. .5.37. 



t Journal fiir Prakt. Chemie, December 1857- Chemical Gazette, 

 March 15, 18.58. 



