M. Heinz on two New Series of Acids. 387 
Heinz found that, when treated with caustic soda, it yielded a 
soda salt which was not glycolate of soda. Another supposition 
is that it is glycolic acid im which the atom of hydrogen more 
readily replaced by an acid radical is replaced by methyle; on which 
view its constitution would be represented thus, C+H?O? | oa 
C? B34 ' 
Heinz found that the acid, when treated with benzoic acid, did 
not form benzoglycolic acid, as might have been expected on 
this view. 
Heinz considers that the acid is oxacetic acid (glycolic acid) 
in which an atom of methyle is contained in the radical. He 
writes the formula thus, C® H®O* 02 . 
H , and names it methox- 
acetic acid to express this mode of deriving it, The homologous 
acids, formed by the same reaction, receive the names ethoxacetic 
acid, amoxacetic acid, &e. 
Heinz has described several of the salts. Methoxacetate of 
ammonia forms a mass of radiating crystals which are very 
deliquescent. Methoxacetate of baryta, BaO C® H® 0°, forms 
colourless, transparent, prismatic crystals, readily soluble in 
water, but difficultly so in alcohol. Methowacetate of copper, 
CuO C6 H®0°+2HO0, forms bluish-green, transparent, acute 
rhombic prisms with good reflecting surfaces. They are per- 
fectly soluble in water, but little so in alcohol. Methoxacetate 
of lime forms a syrupy solution which does not crystallize ; but if 
evaporated over sulphuric acid, it dries up to a solid mass, 
which gradually becomes crystalline. Methowacetate of potash, 
KO CS H®0°+8HO, forms large colourless transparent prisms 
permanent in the air. They are readily soluble in alcohol. On 
the addition of ether to this solution, a salt of the formula 
KO CS H®°0°+6HO is precipitated. Methowacetate of lead, 
PbO CS H® 05, forms a solid, white, crystalline mass like Wavel- 
lite. Methowacetate of silver, AgO C® H® O®, forms fine needles, 
which are somewhat soluble in cold and readily so in hot water. 
Ethoxacetic acid, C’ H® O°=C* H’ O? OF in ital ‘ 
H , is obtained in a 
similar manner to methoxacetic acid. It boils at about 190° C. 
The baryta salt is very readily soluble in alcohol and ether. 
Dissolved in water and evaporated, it forms a syrupy solution, 
which crystallizes, after some time, in small needles. 
4 : 14 1114. 06 — C4 F338 C2 
Amoxacetic acid, C4 H'4 Of = C4 H 04, is similarly 
obtained by the action of chloracetie acid on amylate of soda. 
A solution’ of its zinc-salt in dilute alcohol is decomposed by 
sulphuretted hydrogen and distilled. At first alcohol and water 
pass over, and then the acid at a temperature of about 2385— 
