19 



a neutral oily body, which is insoluble in aqueous potash at the 

 common temperature, but soluble with decomposition in boiling pot- 

 ash. This oily compound would, from its mode of formation, be 

 naturally supposed to be the chloride of phenyl, and it has been so 

 considered by some distinguished chemists. It may, however, be sepa- 

 rated by distillation into two perfectly definite and distinct bodies, one 

 of which boils at 136 Cent., the other at a temperature above the 

 range of mercurial thermometers. The former of these is a colour- 

 less mobile liquid, possessing a fragrant smell, not unlike that of 

 bitter almonds. The latter is a more consistent inodorous liquid, 

 which solidifies at a low temperature into a mass of colourless cry- 

 stals. The liquid having the boiling-point of 136 is nothing else 

 than the chloride of phenyl. The crystalline body is the phosphate of 

 phenyl, one of the most beautiful products in organic chemistry. In 

 the liquid state it is slightly yellow by transmitted light, and it re- 

 flects the more refrangible rays with a fine opalescent appearance, 

 due no doubt to the so-called epipolic refraction. The epipolic rays 

 visible by ordinary daylight on and at some depth below its sur- 

 face, are of a fine violet tint, differing decidedly from the blue colour 

 exhibited by disulphate of quinine in like circumstances. The flame 

 of sulphur does not bring out this effect more strongly than the 

 diffused light of the sun. 



Phosphate of phenyl dissolves in strong nitric acid with evolution 

 of considerable heat, and the solution gives out nitrous fumes on 

 ebullition. A heavy yellow oil is precipitated by water from this 

 solution, and collects in drops which ultimately solidify, and their 

 solidification is, singularly enough, accelerated by hot water, by 

 reason of its more quickly dissolving out the nitric acid which at first 

 holds the solid body in solution. Nitrophosphate of phenyl is an acid, 

 and forms with potash a beautiful crystalline salt. 



An alcoholic solution of phosphate of phenyl decomposes acetate 

 of potash on ebullition. After the alcohol is distilled off, the tempe- 

 rature of the mixture rises rapidly on the application of further heat, 

 and a limpid oleaginous substance, having a very peculiar odour, 

 distils over, which possesses the composition of acetate of phenyl. 

 This compound boils at 1 90 Cent. ; it is heavier than water, and 

 very slightly soluble in that liquid. It dissolves with decomposition 

 in boiling potash. 



