DECOMPOSITION OF ORGANIC COMPOUNDS. 295 



latter action may be mentioned the formation of nitro-benzene and 

 nitre-cellulose : 



C 6 H 6 + HN0 3 = C 6 H 5 N0 2 -f H 2 O. 

 Benzene. Nitric acid. Nitrobenzene. Water. 



C 6 H 10 5 + 3HN0 3 = C 6 H 7 (N0 2 ) 3 5 + 3H 2 O. 

 Cellulose. Nitric acid. Trinitro-cellulose. Water. 



The additional quantity of oxygen thus introduced into the mole- 

 cules renders them highly combustible, or even explosive. 



Action of dehydrating- agents. Substances having a great 

 affinity for water, such as strong sulphuric acid, phosphoric oxide, 

 and others, act upon many organic substances by removing from them 

 the elements of hydrogen and oxygen, and combining with the water 

 formed, while, at the same time, frequently dark or even black com- 

 pounds are formed, which consist largely of carbon. The black 

 color imparted to sulphuric acid by organic matter depends on this 

 action. 



Action of alkalies. The hydroxides of potassium and sodium 

 act in various ways on organic substances. 



In some cases direct combination takes place : 



CO + KOH == KCHO 2 . 

 Carbonic oxide. Potassium Potassium 



hydroxide. formate. 



Salts are formed : 



C 2 H 4 2 + NaOH s= NaC 2 H 3 O 2 + H 2 O. 

 Acetic Sodium Sodium Water, 



acid. hydroxide. acetate. 



Fats are decomposed with the formation of soap : 



C 3 H 5 (C 18 H 33 2 )3 4- 3NaOH : C 3 H 5 (HO) 3 -f 3NaC 18 H 33 O 2 . 

 Oleate of glyceril. Sodium hydroxide. Glycerin. Sodium oleate. 



Oxidation takes place, while hydrogen is liberated : 



C 2 H 6 + KOH KC 2 H 3 2 + 4H. 



Ethyl Potassium Potassium Hydrogen, 



alcohol. hydroxide. acetate. 



From compounds containing nitrogen, ammonia is evolved : 



NH 2 C 2 H 3 O + KOH KC 2 H 3 O 2 + NH 3 . 



Acetamide. Potassium Potassium Ammonia, 



hydroxide. acetate. 



Action of reducing- agents. Deoxidizing or reducing agents, 

 especially hydrogen in the nascent state, act upon organic substances 

 either by direct combination : 



C 2 H 4 + 2H C. 2 H 6 0. 



Ethene oxide. Ethyl alcohol. 



