824 METHYL. 



is deliquescent. It has likewise been obtained with 2 atoms of 

 water of crystallization and the same form as the preceding salt 

 of barytes (Kane). 



Nitrate of oxide of methyl, MeO, NO 5 . The action of nitric 

 acid upon wood spirit is different and much less violent than 

 the action of the same acid upon alcohol. No nitrate of oxide 

 of ethyl is formed, indeed such a compound does not appear 

 to exist; while the nitrate of oxide of methyl is very easily 

 obtained. One part of nitrate of potash and a mixture of 2 

 parts of concentrated sulphuric acid with I part of wood spirit 

 are introduced into a retort ; the mass rises greatly in tempera- 

 ture, and the product distils over without the necessity for 

 applying artificial heat ; it must be received in a very cold con- 

 denser. The heavier of the two liquids found in the receiver is 

 nitrate of oxide of methyl contaminated with a portion of a very 

 volatile compound supposed to be formiate of oxide of methyl, 

 which communicates to the former the odour of hydrocyanic 

 acid. The product is rectified from chloride of calcium and 

 from litharge ; the last portions which distil over are perfectly 

 pure. Nitrate of oxide of methyl is a colourless liquid of a 

 weak ethereal odour, which inflames with facility and burns with 

 a yellow flame; its density is 1.822 at 7l-6 (22 centig.), and 

 boiling point 150.8 (66 centig.) Its vapour heated above 

 248 is decomposed with a violent detonation, producing car- 

 bonic acid, water and deutoxide of nitrogen. This ether is 

 soluble in water, and miscible in all proportions with alcohol, 

 ether and wood spirit. 



Neutral carbonate of oxide of methyl is unknown 5 the 

 double carbonates which it forms with alkaline carbonates were 

 prepared in the same manner as the corresponding double salts 

 of ethyl. 



Oxalate of oxide of methyl, MeO,C 2 O 3 , is a white solid trans- 

 parent and brilliant mass composed of rhomboidal tables ; it 

 fuses at 123.8 (51centig.), and boils about 321.8 (161centig.) 

 It is decomposed by water and resolved into hydrated oxalic 

 acid and wood spirit. Acid oxalate of oxide of methyl has not 

 yet been obtained. 



Oxalate of oxide of methyl and oxamide or oxamethylane is 

 formed when oxalate of oxide of methyl is exposed to dry am- 

 monia. 



Sulphocarbonate of oxide of methyl and potash, KO.MeO,C 2 S 4 . 



