1863.] 643 



before it was converted into the final product 



c H NI-< C H 



^HNI- 



The pentamethylated iodide, when treated with hydriodic acid 

 instead of iodide of methyl, furnished the di-iodide of pentamethyl- 

 phenylene- diammonium, 



The two phenylene-diamines are thus seen not only to be isomeric, 

 but to have actually the same degree of substitution, as far as the 

 latter may be rendered transparent by the action of iodide of methyl. 

 Under these circumstances I was pleased to observe some additional 

 phenomena which removed every doubt regarding their indivi- 

 duality. 



On mixing a solution of beta-phenylene-diamine in sulphuric acid 

 with peroxide of manganese, the odour of kinone becomes at once 

 perceptible, and on heating the mixture, kinone distils over 

 the residuary liquid containing the sulphates of manganese and 

 ammonium, 



C 6 H 8 N 2 + 2H 2 S0 4 +Mn 2 O 2 =C 6 H 4 O 2 +Mn 2 SO 4 + (H 4 N), SO 4 . 

 Beta-pheny- Kinone. 



lene-diamine. 



The reaction proceeds with such ease that a few milligrammes of 

 the diamine, when submitted to this treatment in the test-tube, yield 

 a distinct crystalline sublimate of kinone, readily recognizable by its 

 many salient properties. Alpha-phenylene-diamine, when similarly 

 treated, evolves a faint odour of kinone, but does not yield crystals of 

 this substance. 



The elegant and easy formation of kinone in this reaction presents 

 some interest, inasmuch as the process appears to be of general 

 application, and will probably lead to the preparation of the higher 

 homologues of kinone. 



I have observed the formation of beta-phenylene-diamine in two 

 additional reactions, which, in conclusion, I beg leave to mention. 



In the hopes of obtaining the triamine of the phenyl-series 



/fl TT \ 



I v/g **-a) 



C.H 8 N a = H 3 



