174 Intelliffence and Miscellaneous Articles. 



This substance is a colourless mobile liquid, which is insoluble in 

 water, but imparts a peculiar odour to it. It becomes coloured by 

 exposure to the air. It is less dense than water. Its boiling-point 

 is 165°. According to the authors its formula is C" H" O, and its 

 formation may be explained by the annexed equation : — 

 Ba, C- H" 0^= Ba CO^ + C" H" O. 



Caprone is readily acted upon by nitric acid; "When the product of 



the reaction is saturated by carbonate of potash, an oily liquid of a 



peculiar aromatic odour separates, while the potash combines with 



f H^ "I 

 a particular acid, probably the nitrovaleric acid, 0'° < ^^^ > O*. 



It will be observed that caprone acts under the influence of oxi- 

 dizing reagents, like butyrone. The authors are of opinion, that, if 

 this observation be confirmed, it will not be favourable to the ideas 

 put forth by M. Chancel relative to the constitution of the acetones. 

 In fact, if, as this chemist thinks, the acetones are conjugated com- 

 binations of aldehyde with carburetted hydrogens, if butyrone and 

 caprone ought to be considered, the first as butyral plus propylene 

 (CH H'< 0^=C^ W O^ + C H"), and the second as capronal plus amy- 

 lene (0=^- H" 0== C'"- H'" 0" + C'° H"), the question is. what becomes, 

 during the action of the nitric acid on these conjugated bodies, of 

 the aldehydes so easily oxidized and converted into corresponding 

 acids. As to what regards caprone, let it be added, that the experi- 

 ments of the authors are not sufficiently complete to allow of the 

 admission, that, during the action of nitric acid on this body, nitro- 

 valeric acid onli/ is formed. 



The authors also remark, that the boiling-points of caprone and 

 caprylone do not agree with the theoretical views of M. Chancel. 

 Caprone, which boils at 165°, ought not to boil lower than 232°; 

 caprylone, which boils at 178°, ought not, according to theory, to 

 boil below 320°. As a knowledge of the phsenomena of ebullition 

 is in general but little advanced, the authors add, that too great 

 value should not be attached to considerations of this nature, espe- 

 cially as the boiling-points of acetone and butyrone agree well with 

 theory. 



Decomposition of Caproic Acid under the influence of the Voltaic 

 Battery. — When a solution of caproate of potash is submitted to the 

 action of the battery, an oily liquid separates from the liquor, and at 

 the same time a gas is disengaged, formed principally of a mixture 

 of hydrogen and carbonic acid. 



The oily liquid having been distilled with an alcoholic solution of 

 potash, caproate of potash was formed. The alcoholic liquid con- 

 densed in the receiver was mixed with water, which occasioned the 

 separation of a light aromatic liquor, boiling at 155°, and possessing 

 all the properties of the amyle of Mr. Frankland. It is well known 

 that this compound, the composition of which is represented by the 

 formula C'"H" (C'"H"?), was first obtained by the action of zinc 

 upon amyliodhydric acid. 



Decomposition of Wnanthylic Acid by theVoltaic current. — The phse- 

 nomena observed during the decomposition of cenanthylate of potash 

 by the battery are exactly similar to those stated with respect to the 



