118 M. Stadeler on Acetone. 
Boilings 
oint. 
Oxide of mesityle . C!® H!90?=2 Acetone—2HO 1381%5 
Phorone? . . C8 H40?=83 Acetone—4HO 210 
Mesitylene . . C'8&H!2? =83 Acetone—6HO 155 
Xylite Naphtha . C* H??0%=4 Acetone—2HO 119 
Xylite oil =. . C*H'8O?=4 Acetone—6HO 200 
Chlorine acts on acetone in diffused light with great energy. 
The product of the action was washed, dried, and distilled. On 
rectification its boiling-point was found to be 120°C. _ Its 
analysis and the determination of its vapour-density give for its 
composition the relation C® H* Cl? 0?, which is that of Kane’s 
Mesitchloral. Fittig considers it to be bichlorinated acetone. 
That it belongs to the acetone type, is evident from its forming a 
érystalline compound with bisulphite of soda. It is a colourless 
liquid with a penetrating odour, and strongly affects the eyes. 
It has an extremely caustic action on the skin. It is insoluble 
in water, but dissolves in alcohol and ether. 
By the action of nitric acid on acetone a heavy yellowish oil 
is obtained, which from its ready decomposability and explosive- 
ness appears to be a nitro-compound. Its properties precluded 
any accurate examination. 
Fittig has further * examined the products of the destructive 
distillation of acetates. He finds that acetone is not the only 
product, but that other allied substances are formed at the same 
time. In their separation he found it most convenient to use the 
oil which floats on the surface of the crude acetone, in its pre- 
paration. He succeeded in isolating the following bodies :— 
Methylacetone, C’ H® O?, a colourless liquid resembling acetone, 
but boiling between 75° and 77°. 
Ethylacetone, C!© H!° 02, a colourless liquid also like acetone, 
and boiling between 90° and 95°. Both these bodies form ery- 
stallized compounds with bisulphite of soda. 
Dumasine. —This substance was first. discovered by Kane, who 
assigned to it the formula C!?H*®O. It is a colourless liquid, 
which, however, gradually becomes yellow. It is lighter than, and 
insoluble in water, but quite soluble in alcohol. Fittig’s analysis 
gives for it the formula C!? H!° 0%. It is isomeric with oxide 
of mesityle, but is distinguished by forming a crystallized com- 
pound with bisulphite of soda, which oxide of mesityle does 
not. Dumasine forms a chlorinated substitution product, 
C!? H8 Cl? 02. 
Stadeler+ has published an investigation of acetone, the greater 
part.of which consists of the details of experiments the results of 
which have been already announced. 
* Liebig’s Annalen, April 1859. ¥ Ibid. Sept. 1859. 
