263 



The hydrates of the diatomic pyridine-derivatives are far less stable 

 than Professor Hofmann's ethylated bases in the nitrogen- and phos- 

 phorus-series. Even at the common temperature, much more so by 

 ebullition, the solution of the free base becomes pink, violet, and 

 finally ruby-red, and deposits after some time a brown powder, 

 a peculiar odour like that of the heliotrope being at the same time 

 evolved. I have not examined more minutely the changes which 

 the pyridine-compound thus undergoes. 



The above experiments were performed in Dr. Hofmann's labora- 

 tory. 



VI. " On a New Class of Organic Bases, in which Nitrogen is 

 substituted for Hydrogen." By PETER GRIESS, Esq. 

 Communicated by Dr. HOFM ANN. Received May 24, 1 861 . 



In a previous Note I have called attention to two new bodies pro- 

 duced by the action of nitrous acid upon the alcoholic solution 

 respectively of aniline and nitraniline. Both substances*, 



Aniline derivative . . . . C 12 H u N 3 , 

 Nitraniline derivative . . . C 12 H 9 (N0 2 ) 2 N 3 , 



are generated by the substitution of one equivalent of nitrogen for 

 three equivalents of hydrogen in the original compounds. 



In continuing my experiments on the replacement of hydrogen 

 by nitrogen in organic bodies generally, I have not only succeeded 

 in producing similar compounds from nearly all the basic derivatives 

 of aniline, but have also obtained corresponding products from 

 toluidine and anisidine. The following equation represents the 

 formation of these compounds in the aniline-series : 



2 (C n H (n +i) N) + HN0 2 = C 2n H.n-! N 3 + 2H 2 O. 



Two equivalents New compound, 



of aniline. 



I do not at present venture to express an opinion regarding the 

 constitution of these bodies; nevertheless their formation, their 

 mutual relations, and their decompositions may in a measure be 



* H = l; = 16; C = 12, &c. 



