18 



March 16, 1854. 



CHARLES WHEATSTONE, Esq., V.P., in the Chair. 

 The following paper was read : 



" On some new Compounds of Phenyl." By A. WILLIAMSON, 

 Ph.D., F.C.S., Professor of Practical Chemistry in Univer- 

 sity College. Communicated by Dr. SHARPEY, Sec. R.S. 

 Received March 15, 1854. 



This communication contains a notice of some of the results ob- 

 tained in an investigation of Carbolic Acid or Hydrated Oxide of 

 Phenyl, conducted, under the author's superintendence, by Mr. 

 Scrugham in the Analytical Laboratory of University College. 



Referring to the substitution products obtained by Laurent from 

 hydrate of phenyl by the action of chlorine and bromine, as well as 

 to its combination with acids prepared by that chemist in conjunc- 

 tion with Gerhardt, the author states that the substance which they 

 conceived to be chloride of phenyl has been found by Mr. Scrugham 

 to be a mixture of two compounds. 



As regards the preparation of hydrate of phenyl from the creosote 

 of coal-tar, it is observed that the numerous fractional distillations 

 by which it is usually isolated may be abridged by crystallization ; 

 for if creosote, having the boiling-point between 186 and 188 Cent., 

 be left for some time in contact with a few crystals of the pure hy- 

 drate, it deposits a considerable quantity of beautiful colourless 

 needles, which, when separated from the mother-liquid, distil at 

 184 Cent., and condense in the neck of the retort into a solid mass 

 of pure hydrate of phenyl. 



When pentachloride of phosphorus is added to hydrate of phenyl, 

 the action is at first very energetic, hydrochloric acid being evolved, 

 and the mixture becoming hot; but after a time the addition of fresh 

 portions of pentachloride produces no perceptible action, unless the 

 mixture be heated. Oxychloride of phosphorus is formed, as well as 



