198 



VIII. " Researches on Organo-metallic Bodies." Third Memoir. 

 On a New Series of Organic Acids containing Nitrogen. 

 By EDWARD FRANKLAND, Ph.D., F.R.S. Received June 

 19, 1856. 



(Abstract.) 



The author, in pursuing the line of research indicated in his 

 former memoirs, has investigated the action of zincethyl and zinc- 

 methyl upon binoxide of nitrogen, and has succeeded in producing a 

 new series of organic acids, by the substitution of oxygen in binoxide 

 of nitrogen by methyl, ethyl, &c. Binoxide of nitrogen is slowly 

 absorbed by zincethyl, and the sole product of the reaction is a body 

 which is deposited in magnificent rhomboidal colourless crystals. 

 This body has the composition expressed by the formula 

 N 2 C 4 H 5 4 Zn + C 4 H 5 Zn, 



and consists of the zinc salt of a new acid, for which the author 

 proposes the name dinitroethylic acid, united with zincethyl. The 

 dinitroethylate of zinc and zincethyl is produced from binoxide of 

 nitrogen and zincethyl according to the following equation, 



The crystals of dinitroethylate of zinc and zincethyl instantly 

 become opake on exposure to the air, owing to the formation of an 

 oxidized product. They are tolerably soluble in anhydrous ether 

 without decomposition, but are instantly decomposed by anhydrous 

 alcohol and by water. Exposed to the gradually increasing heat of 

 an oil-bath, dinitroethylate of zinc and zincethyl fuses at 100 Cent., 

 froths up, and begins slowly to evolve gas. At 180 the colour 

 darkens, a small quantity of a highly alkaline liquid distils over, and 

 a large amount of gas is evolved. The latter consists of carbonic 

 acid, olefiant gas, hydride of ethyl, nitrogen and protoxide of ni- 

 trogen. When brought into contact with water, dinitroethylate of 

 zinc and zincethyl is immediately decomposed with lively efferves- 

 cence, due to the evolution of pure hydride of ethyl. An opalescent 

 solution is formed, possessing a powerfully alkaline reaction and a 



