The Typical Cellulose and the Cellulose Group 47 



Divers, Journ. Chem. Soc. [2], i, 91), but have thrown but 

 little light on the chemistry of cellulose. 



A resolution of similar character is determined by a gradu- 

 ated treatment of the nitrates with the alkaline hydrates (solu- 

 tion). This has been investigated by W. Will, from the more 

 theoretical point of view suggested by the title of the com- 

 munication containing his results, viz. ' Ueber Oxybrenz- 

 traubensaure, ein neues Product des Abbaues der Cellulose,' 

 Berl. Ber. 24, 400. 



The process yielding this characteristic product, hydroxy- 

 pyruvic acid, consisted in treating the ether-alcoholic solution 

 of pyroxylin (with 11*2 p.ct. N) with a 10 p.ct. solution of 

 sodium hydrate, shaking the two layers of solution together 

 from time to time, until decomposition was complete ; or 

 setting aside for 24 to 30 hours, when it completes itself 

 at ordinary temperatures. The alkaline solution is acidified 

 and warmed, to complete the removal of the lower oxides 

 of nitrogen, and treated with phenylhydrazine in presence 

 of acetic acid (excess). The osazone of the ketonic acid, 

 COOH CO CH 2 OH, is thus obtained. The acid itself 

 was also directly isolated from the original alkaline solution 

 after neutralising, by precipitation as lead salt, and decom- 

 posing in the usual way with hydrogen sulphide. 



The author's purpose in studying the reaction was the 

 elucidation of the constitution of cellulose ; and, although the 

 results so far are too fragmentary for the drawing of definite 

 conclusions, they indicate a direction in which the problem 

 may be successfully attacked. It is obvious that progress in 

 this direction must lie by way of processes of regulated dissec- 

 tion, and of these there are very few under sufficient control to 

 be available. It is therefore to be hoped that this decom- 

 position will be more fully investigated, especially as, from a 

 private communication, we learn that the characteristic product 



