776 



ETHYL. 



less and transparent, and the liquid boils tranquilly in the retort 

 without bumping, it is necessary to change the receiver, for from 

 that period the oxalic ether distils over, pure and anhydrous. 

 The residue in the retort contains some traces of oxalic acid. 

 (Traite, p. 350). 



Oxalic ether is a colourless liquid, of an aromatic odour ; its 

 density 1.0929, and boiling point 363.2 (180 cent.). When 

 pure it may be kept in contact with water for several days with- 

 out decomposition, but if it contains the smallest trace of acid 

 or alcohol, it is decomposed rapidly into oxalic acid and alcohol. 

 The fixed alkalies act upon it in the same manner as water. 



By ammonia or solution of ammonia in excess, oxalic ether is 

 instantly decomposed, a beautiful white precipitate of oxamide 

 (page 407) appearing and alcohol is reproduced : 



NH 3 and EO,C 2 O 5 ,=NH 2 ,C 2 O 4 (oxamide) and EO,HO 

 (alcohol) . 



Oxalate of ether and oxamide, or oxamethane ; EO,C 2 O 5 4- 

 NH 2 ,C 2 O 4 ; or C 8 H 7 NO 6 , is a substance in beautiful white crys- 

 talline leaflets, formed by adding alcohol saturated with ammo- 

 niacal gas to a solution of oxalic ether in alcohol. It is fusible 

 about 212, distils at 428 (220 cent.) without alteration. Four 

 atoms of the hydrogen of this compound can be replaced by 



TT 



chlorine, and chlor oxamethane formed, C 8 Q, 3 NOg, which 



strikingly resembles oxamethane in its physical properties, 

 and is even believed to be isomorphous with it. 



Oxalate of oxide of ethyl and potash, oxalovinate of potash, 

 KO,EO + C 4 O 10 . This salt is prepared by adding to a solution 

 of 1 volume of oxalic ether in 2 volumes of alcohol, somewhat 

 less than half the potash dissolved in alcohol, which would be 

 required to form a neutral salt with the oxalic acid of the 

 ether ; the salt precipitates, being insoluble in the alcohol. It is 

 anhydrous. 



Acid oxalate of oxide of ethyl and potash, oxalovinic acid, 

 HO,EO + C 4 O 10 , is obtained by treating an alcoholic solution of 

 the preceding salt with hydrofluo silicic acid, or by decomposing 

 with caution an aqueous solution of the oxalate of ethyl and 

 barytes by dilute sulphuric acid. It is a very acid liquid, which 

 is decomposed by evaporation. 



Sulphocar donate of oxide of ethyl and pot ash, xanthate of potash 



