VALERIC ACID. 815 



Acetate of oxide of amyl, C lo H n O,C 4 H 3 O 3 =:AylO,AcO 3 . 

 It is produced by distilling a mixture of 2 parts of acetate of 

 potash, 1 part of hydrate of oxide of amyl, and 1 part of con- 

 centrated sulphuric acid. It is a colourless liquid, of an aro- 

 matic and ethereal odour, lighter than water, boiling about 257; 

 insoluble in water, but soluble in alcohol, ether, oil of potatoes, 

 etc. Placed in contact with an aqueous solution of potash, it is 

 altered very slowly ; an alcoholic solution of the same base, on 

 the contrary, alters it rapidly, an alkaline acetate is produced, 

 and the oil is regenerated. The density of its vapour is 4475, 

 and combining measure 4 volumes. 



TT 



Chlorinated acetate of oxide of amyl, C 10 , ,| 9 O + C 4 H 3 O 3 . 



This compound is formed when the acetate is saturated 

 with chlorine gas at a temperature increasing to 212. It is a 

 colourless neutral liquid, insoluble in water ; and corresponds 

 in composition with the chlorinated acetic ether of Malaguti. 

 It is a liquid body, which becomes yellow, and is altered by a 

 heat above 302. When exposed again to chlorine gas in sun- 

 shine, this liquid absorbs the gas, and .a crystalline product is 

 formed containing more chlorine, but which has not been 

 analysed. 



Valeric or valerianic acid, HO,C 10 H 9 O 3 . Oil of potatoes 

 becomes acid when kept in contact with air. M. Cahours 

 has observed, that if platinum black be heated, and the oil be 

 allowed to fall upon it drop by drop in no greater quantity than 

 is imbibed, oxidation occurs, and ah acid liquid volatilises, 

 which has all the properties of valerianic acid, the acid obtained 

 by distillation of the root of valerian (valeriana qfficmalis) with 

 water. Two atoms of hydrogen in the oil are replaced by 2 

 atoms of oxygen. Oil of potatoes corresponds in this respect with 

 alcohol and wood-spirit, which are converted in similar circum- 

 stances, by the substitution of 2 atoms of oxygen for 2 atoms 

 of hydrogen, into peculiar acids, the acetic and formic acids. 

 But valerianic acid was first obtained from the oil by MM. Du- 

 mas and Stass, by distilling it with hydrate of potash. One 



ar rt of the oil was covered in a retort by about 10 parts of a 



X . L " ^ of equal parts of hydrate of potash and quicklime; and 



b> ' -etallic bath at about 392 (200 centig.) ; hydrogen 



gas comes over, ^ TTalerate of potash is f ormec l. The mass is 



