342 ALPHAXYLYLIC ACID, ETC. 



brometh} T lbenzene ; and by oxidation of diethylbenzene 

 with dilute nitric acid. Colorless, lustrous laminae, 

 similar to benzoic acid. But slightly soluble in cold 

 water, more readily in hot water, very easily soluble 

 in alcohol. Fuses at 110. Further oxidation con 

 verts it into terephtalic acid. 



5. Alphaxylylic acid, C 6 II 4 j c *p CQ Q H Is pro 



duced from tolyl cyanide (p. 315) by boiling with alco 

 holic potassa. Colorless, lustrous, broad laminae. 

 Easily soluble in hot water. Fuses at 42. 



6. Hydrocinnamic acid (Phenylpropiome acid), 

 C 6 IP.CII 2 .CII 2 .CO.OII. Is formed by the action of 

 nascent hydrogen (sodium-amalgam) on cinnamic acid ; 

 and by boiling benzene-ethyl cyanide (p. 285) with al 

 coholic potassa. Crystallizes from water in long, fine 

 needles. Easily soluble in boiling water and in alco 

 hol, difficultly soluble in cold water, but more readily 

 than benzoic acid. Fuses at 47, and boils without 

 decomposition at 280. Chromic acid oxidizes it, 

 forming benzoic acid. 



7. Hydratropic acid, C C IF.CII j QQ QH Is l )ro &quot; 

 duced by the action of nascent hydrogen (sodium-amal 

 gam) on atropic acid. Colorless liquid, which does not 

 congeal at a low temperature. 



4. Acids, C 10 II 12 3 . 

 1. Durylic acid (Cumylic acid), C 6 IF j Is 



obtained by oxidizing durene with dilute nitric acid. 

 Crystallizes from alcohol in lustrous, hard prisms ; fus 

 ing point, 149-150. Almost insoluble in cold water, 

 easily soluble in alcohol and ether. &quot;When further 

 oxidized it is converted into cumidinic acid. 



