191 



The analysis of this substance leads to the formula 



C 4 H 4 Cy 2 S 4 , 

 and its formation may be represented by the equation 



C 4 H 4 Cl 2 + 2KCy S 2 =2K C1+ C 4 H 4 Cy 2 S 4 . 



Sulphocyanide of ethylene fuses at 90 C. and solidifies at 83. 

 It is but slightly soluble in cold water, more so in boiling water, 

 from which it crystallizes in groups of needles. It is decomposed at 

 a higher temperature, and evolves a highly pungent vapour, the 

 odour of which very much resembles that of burnt onions. On 

 boiling a solution of sulphocyanide of ethylene in water, a very acrid 

 odour is observed, which produces lacrymation and violent sneezing. 

 Sulphocyanide of ethylene has a sharp taste, causing a burning sen- 

 sation in the throat. 



Solution of ammonia decomposes sulphocyanide of ethylene even 

 at the common temperature. A flocculent substance separates, and 

 the solution contains several compounds which I have been unable 

 to separate. 



At the temperature of boiling water sulphocyanide of ethylene 

 mixes with aniline in every proportion ; no reaction, however, is per- 

 ceptible. But on boiling the mixture decomposition sets in, and a 

 volatile substance is evolved which restores the colour of reddened 

 litmus paper. 



When boiled with solution of hydrate of baryta and oxide of lead 

 or mercury, sulphocyanide of ethylene loses its sulphur; the substance 

 left behind possesses very little power of crystallizing. In the case 

 of oxide of mercury, besides sulphide of mercury and carbonate of 

 barium, a difficultly soluble body containing mercury is formed. 



At the temperature of boiling water, sulphocyanide of ethylene 

 dissolves readily in very dilute nitric acid ; on cooling of the solution 

 the substance is deposited unchanged. On treating it with stronger 

 nitric acid a decomposition takes place, and a crystalline acid is 

 formed. This acid is best produced by heating sulphocyanide of 

 ethylene on the water-bath with dilute nitric acid as long as red 



led to the discovery of this substance. Sonnenschein's results, which are pub- 

 lished in the Journ. fiir Prakt. Chem. June 1855, came to our knowledge only 

 after a summary of the results had been sent to the editor uf the Annalen der 

 Chem. und Pharm. A. W. H. 



R2 



