321 



completely asymmetrical synthesis, according to Byk's views, 

 is, therefore, indirectly demonstrated and its experimental verifica- 

 tion is only a matter of finding out the suitable materials and 

 experimental arrangements. This solution must, therefore, probably 

 be sought in the field of photochemistry. 



13. It is not our intention to consider in detail the different 

 ways in which, in the present author's opinion, the experimental 

 solution of the problem under consideration should be sought, 

 and investigations there-upon could be started. 



A single suggestion, however, may find its place here. 



From the substituted malonic acids of the type: CXY(COOH) 2 

 the ether-salts of the composition: 



COOMe 

 YCX 



COO, 



>Alc 



can be prepared, the aqueous solutions of which will of course 

 contain an equal number of dextro- and laevogyratory ions. 



Now, if with a sufficient current-density, an electrolysis of this 

 solution is started, both these ions will split off carbon-dioxide to 

 form an ether of the type: 



COOAlc 



;x 



YCX 



I 

 COOAlc 



and this decomposition, going on with equal velocities for both 

 kinds of stereometrical configurations, will, therefore, necessarily 

 lead to an optically inactive, product ] ). 



If, however, this electrolysis be started in a very strong mag- 

 netic field, the lines of force of which are parallel to the -direction 

 of the current, and especially, if the metal Me be so chosen as 

 to increase the magnetic susceptibility of the solution, there may 

 be a good chance that under these dissymmetrical conditions, 

 the electrochemical decomposition of both enantiomorphously 

 related kinds of ions no longer occurs with the same velocity. 

 In that case an optically active product might be obtained at the 



A. Crum Brown and J. Walker, Ann. der Chemie, 261, 110, (1890). 



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