299 



If ammonia and glyoxal decompose each other, four equivalents of 

 the first transfer their nitrogen to one equivalent of the base pro- 

 duced. The direct derivation from ammonia of a base which con- 

 tains four equivalents of nitrogen, seems to me to be very interesting. 



The rational formula of glycosine is probably 



C 3 H 2 



C 2 H 2 being equivalent to H 4 . 



It is worthy of notice, that in chemical decompositions very often 

 three equivalents of an aldehyde unite and act like one molecule. I 

 will only mention, as examples, mesitylene, acetonia, thialdine, hy- 

 drosalicylamide, and amarine. 



Glyoxaline =C 3 H 4 N 2 is obtained as binoxalate from the mother- 

 liquor of glycosine, if, after expelling the ammonia by gentle heating, 

 an excess of oxalic acid is added. The binoxalate crystallizes very 

 well and may be purified easily. The composition of it is expressed 

 by the formula C 3 H 4 N 2 + C 2 H 2 O 4 . The base is obtained from this 

 salt by treating it with carbonate of lime, and evaporating the filtrate 

 from the oxalate of lime to the consistency of a strong syrup. 



Glyoxaline crystallizes with difficulty in prismatic crystals, radia- 

 ting from one centre. It is easily soluble in water, has .a strong 

 alkaline reaction, neutralizes acids perfectly, but does not appear to 

 form a compound with carbonic acid. It melts easily, smells like 

 fish, and evaporates at a higher temperature in dense white fumes. 

 Chloride of copper forms a precipitate with glyoxaline, which is 

 soluble in an excess of the base. 



The chloroplatinate, C 3 H 4 N a + HC1 PtCl 2 , crystallizes in large red 

 prisms, and is easily soluble in hot water. 



The formation of glyoxaline takes place according to the following 

 equation : 



2(C 2 H 2 2 ) + 2NH 3 =C 3 H 4 N 2 + CH 2 O 2 +2H 2 O 



Glyoxal. Glyoxaline. Formic acid. Water. 



Glyoxaline is homologous with sinnamine. 



