On the Behaviour of the Aldehydes with Acids. 313 
C,, H,, 0, 1,, which will be observed to be 3 atoms of oil of bitter 
almonds, in which 2(O,) is replaced by 2(I,). The authors pro- 
pose for it the name Oxyiodide of Benzaldehyde. The substance 
thus obtained melts at 28° C., and solidifies at about 25° C. into almost 
colourless rhombic plates if rapidly cooled down. When in a liquid 
state, the crystals mostly occur in groups of long needles. The 
colour of the substance in a melted state is brownish yellow; at 
moderate temperatures, and on standing in the air, it becomes still 
darker in colour. It possesses a smell very much resembling cress. 
It volatilizes at common temperatures, its vapour attacking the 
eyes powerfully. Its vapour at higher temperatures, when carried 
away by that of water, becomes more and more intolerable, pro- 
ducing a very inflammatory effect on the eyes and nose, which is 
more painful and permanent than that from acroleine. It is insoluble 
and sinks in water, but can be distilled in the vapour of it. Watery 
solutions of carbonates and sulphites of the alkalies do not act on it. 
Alcoholic solution of potash decomposes it by degrees on heating a 
little, producing much iodide of potassium, some benzoic acid, and 
an oily body that remains dissolved in the alcohol, which is not oil 
of bitter almonds. Alcoholic and watery sclutions of ammonia 
change it slowly into iodide of ammonium and oil of bitter almonds. 
Boiled with solution of nitrate of silver, it-yields iodide of silver, and 
a smell of oil cf bitter almonds. Concentrated hydrochloric acid 
changes it by degrees, becoming brown ; concentrated sulphuric acid 
dissolves it on heating, with the separation of iodine. 
In conclusion, the authors remark that the action of hydrochloric 
acid on aldehyde may be regarded as consisting in the replacement 
of two equivalents of oxygen by two of chlorine in one, two, or three 
atoms of this body : thus, Aldehyde containing chlorine. 
1 atom of aldehyde C,H,O, C,H,Cl, 
See “ C,H,O, -C,H,O0,Cl, — Lieben’s body. 
: + ee Protoxychloride | of 
3 ” 2 C,, Hi,, O, Ce Hy A Cl, | aldehyde. 
The action of hydriodic acid on oil of bitter almonds gives rise also 
to a body derived from 3 atoms of this aldehyde, in which 2 (Q,) is 
replaced by 2 (I,). 
3 atoms of oil of bitter almonds, Oxyiodide of Benzaldehyde, 
C,, Hi, O, : C,, 1 O, I. 
In the case of acroleine, the action of hydrochloric acid is different ; 
it combines directly with it, no elimination of water taking place. If 
we conceive, however, that, in the action of this acid on common 
aldehyde, the water which is there produced is the effect of a 
further decomposition, then we may readily suppose that, if this 
further decomposition had taken place in the case of hydrochloric 
acid and acroleine, a body derived from two atoms of acroleine, 
and having O, replaced by Cl,, corresponding to the second term in 
the combination of aldehyde and chlorine, would have been the re- 
sult; thus— 
2 atoms of hydrochlorate of acroleine— 
C,, H,, 0, Cl,—2(1 O) =C,, H, O, Cl, corresponding to the 
term C, H, O, Cl, in common aldehyde. 
