Researches respecting the radical af Benzoic Acid. 211 



Abstract from this 2 atoms muriate of ammonia, 



14C+22H+20 + 2C/+4N 



/ 



8H +2CZ+2N, we then obtain 



14C4-14H+20+ 2N, which is the true com- 



position of benzamide and by adding to this last 1 atom of water, the 

 formula becomes, 14C + 16H + 30+2N which expresses the true 

 composition of neutral dry benzoale of ammonia. This salt consists 

 of 1 atom benzoic acid, = 14C-f-10H + 3O 



1 " ammonia = 6H +2N 



-|^_ , ^ ■ , mm -. _ _ ^ — — . _ - . - . . _ __^_^mr ■ 1— m-|_m_jwT* 



14C-|-16H-f-30-f2N. 



Benzamide exhibits some phenomena in its decomposition which 

 deserve an ampler consideration than we have bestowed upon them. 

 Heated with a larger quantity of dry caustic baryta, it partially fuses, 

 appears to become a hydrate, evolves ammonia, and then distills over a 

 colorless, oily body, deserving notice. It is lighter than water, in 

 which it is insoluble. It possesses an aromatic, sweetish taste not un- 

 like that of fluid chloride of carbon (C 2 C/ 5 ) and discovers itself par- 

 ticularly by its almost sugar-sweet taste. This oil burns with a clear 

 flame, and is changed neither by caustic alkali nor by acids j even 

 potassium may be melted in it by gentle warmth without change. 



The same substance is evolved in considerable quantity and unac- 

 companied by ammonia, when benzamide and potassium are melted 

 together, in which case the latter without much violence appears to 

 be almost wholly converted into cyanuret of potassium. 



If the vapor of benzamide be conducted through an ignited narrow 

 glass tube, only a small portion is decomposed and that without de- 

 positing a trace of carbon. The greatest part passes over unchan- 

 ged, mingled with a small quantity of the sweet tasting oil before 

 mentioned. This is evidently a peculiar substance, which by its be- 

 havior intimates an altogether simple composition and certainly de- 

 serves much attention. 



Clorobenzbyl and alcohol. — The chlorobenzoyl may be mingled 

 with alcohol in every proportion. By observing the mixture, it will 

 be remarked that it begins to grow warm in the course of a few min- 

 utes and this warmth increases to such a degree, that the fluid enters 

 into self-ebullition, throwing off at the same time thick vapors of hy- 

 . drochloric acid. If water be poured over it when the action is ended, 

 then separates an oily body, colorless, sinking in water and possess- 

 ing an aromatic, fruit-like odor. Washed with water and heated with 



