780 ACETYL. 



is insoluble in alcohol ; and althionic acid, which is found in the 

 residue of the preparation of olefiant gas by means of alcohol 

 and sulphuric acid, of which the salts are isomeric with the sul- 

 phovinates, although distinguishable from them by their proper- 

 ties (Ettling, Regnault). 



The compounds , which follow are derived from the oxidation 

 of alcohol and its derivatives. 



SECTION III. 

 ACETYL SERIES OF COMPOUNDS. 



Acetyl C 4 H 3 =Ac : a hypothetical radical, produced by the 

 abstraction of 2 atoms of oxygen from ethyl, by oxidating pro- 

 cesses, and which pervades a series of compounds, including 

 acetic acid, from which it derives its name. 



The following are the oxygen compounds of acetyl. 



Acetyl .... C 4 H 3 



Oxide of acetyl . . C 4 H 3 O . , unknown 



Hydrate of oxide of acetyl C 4 H 3 O +HO aldehyde 



Acetous acid . . . C 4 H 3 O 2 + HO aldehydic acid 



Acetic acid . . . C 4 H 3 O 3 + HO acetic acid. 



HYDRATE OF THE OXIDE OF ACETYL, OR ALDEHYDE* 



Formula, C 4 H 3 O + HO. It will be observed that aldehyde 

 occupies the same place in the acetyl series that alcohol does in 

 the ethyl series. It was obtained in an impure state by Do- 

 bereiner, and afterwards isolated, and its true nature ascertained 

 by Liebig. Aldehyde is formed by the action of oxidating 

 bodies upon alcohol, by which 2 atoms of hydrogen are ab- 

 stracted, and the elements of aldehyde left. It is occasionally 

 produced during the absorption by alcohol of oxygen from the 

 air, in the process of acetification, and is a product of the action 

 of dilute nitric acid upon alcohol, but it is usually prepared by 

 the action of dilute sulphuric acid with peroxide of manganese 

 upon alcohol. 



* From alcohol dehydrogenatum. 



