432 CONINE. 



the same time, it is necessary that the product be still 

 subjected to various other purifying processes (prepa 

 ration of salts, recrystallization and subsequent decom 

 position, etc.). Frequently the extract is mixed with 

 neutral or basic lead acetate for the purpose of pre 

 cipitating foreign substances ; the nitrate is then freed 

 of dissolved lead by sulphuretted hydrogen ; and the 

 alkaloid now precipitated by means of a stronger base. 

 All alkaloids are precipitated from their solutions 

 by tannic acid, by phosphormolybdenic acid,* by potas- 

 sio-mercuric iodide, potassio-cadmic iodide and potas- 

 sio-bismuthic iodide, and can be set free from these 

 precipitates by means of alkalies or barium hydroxide, 

 and extracted by solvents (ether, benzene, amyl alco 

 hol, chloroform, etc.). 



1. Conine. 

 C 8 H 15 ISr - C 8 H 14 .KEL 



Occurrence. In all parts of the hemlock (Conium 

 maculatum), most abundantly in the ripe seeds. 



formation. When butyric aldehyde is treated with 

 alcoholic ammonia a base, butyraldin, C 8 H ir N&quot;0, not 

 known in a pure state, is produced together with other 

 substances. When this is subjected to dry distillation, 

 it yields conine. 



Preparation. The plant or the crushed seeds are dis 

 tilled with dilute caustic potassa, in which process conine 

 passes over dissolved in water. The distillate is satu 

 rated accurately with sulphuric acid, evaporated to a 

 syrupy consistence, and distilled with concentrated 

 caustic potassa, the conine now passing over as an oil, 

 floating on a saturated solution in water. It is freed 

 of ammonia in a vacuum. 



Properties. Colorless, clear, oily liquid, specific grav 

 ity, 0.89 ; of a suffocating, unpleasant odor (somewhat 

 resembling hemlock) ; and a very repulsive penetrating 



* Prepared by precipitating ammonium molybdenate with sodium 

 phosphate, dissolving the well-washed precipitate in hot sodium carbo 

 nate, evaporating, and then igniting the mass. The salt which remains 

 behind is heated with ten parts of water; nitric acid added until the 

 solution shows a strong acid reaction ; and then filtered. 



