ACETIC ACID. 785 



dilute sulphuric acid, and to place\ the product in contact with 

 oxide of lead in the cold. If there is any acetic acid present, 

 the oxide of lead dissolves, and the solution exhibits an alkaline 

 reaction. (Traite, i. 398). 



Acetate of oxide of ethyl, acetic ether, C 4 H 5 O + C 4 H 3 O 3 = 

 EO,A. Alcohol is only decomposed to a small extent when 

 distilled with strong acetic acid. The ether is prepared by dis- 

 tilling-, with a heat moderate at first, but afterwards increased, 

 4.5 parts of strong alcohol and 6 parts of concentrated sulphuric 

 acid, previously mixed and cooled, with lt> parts of anhydrous 

 acetate of lead. The product is neutralised with a little lime, 

 then poured over an equal bulk of chloride of calcium in a tubu- 

 lated retort, and distilled again by a water-bath. Acetic ether 

 is a liquid of an agreeable refreshing odour, and is the source 

 of the refreshing odour of some kinds of vinegar which contain 

 it. Its density is 0.89 at 59; it boils at 165.2 (74 centig.). 

 Acetic ether is soluble in 7 parts of water, and in alcohol and 

 ether in all proportions. It is decomposed by alkalies with the 

 greatest facility. 



Acetic acid forms neutral and bisalts with the alkalies. The 

 neutral solution of acetate of ammonia, the spirits of mindererus, 

 is used in medicine. Acetate of potash is a foliated crystalline 

 mass, anhydrous, and slightly deliquescent. Acetate of soda 

 crystallizes with 6 atoms of water ; it is soluble in three times 

 its weight of cold water, and in five times its weight of alcohol. 

 Its taste is saline, cooling and agreeable. Acetate of barytes 

 crystallizes below 59 with 3 atoms of water, and is isomorphous 

 with acetate of lead ; at a higher temperature it crystallizes with 

 1 atom of water. It is very soluble in water, and more so at a 

 low than at a high temperature. Acetate of strontian crystal- 

 lized below 59 (15 cent.) contains 4 atoms of water, and crys- 

 tallized above that temperature only half an equivalent of water. 

 Acetate of lime crystallizes with water. A concentrated and 

 boiling solution of it treated with sulphate of soda, in the 

 preparation of acetate of soda, allows a double sulphate of 

 lime and soda to precipitate. Acetate of magnesia is very 

 soluble, and crystallizes with difficulty. 



Acetate of alumina is obtained in solution, when acetate of lead 

 barytes or lime is precipitated by sulphate of alumina, and is 



2 F F 



