834 FORMYL. 



compound is formed in consequence of the decomposition of 

 1 atom of alcohol and 6 atoms of potash, by 8 atoms of iodine, 

 by which 1 atom of periodide of formyl, I atom of formiate of 

 potash, 5 atoms of iodide of potassium and 4 atoms of water 

 are produced (Liebig). 



.atom of alcohol. " ' H 



8 atoms of iodine. ... I 8 



6 atoms of potash. . . O 6 K 6 



C 4 H 6 O 8 I 8 H 6 



Equivalent to : 



1 atom of periodide of formyl. . . . C 2 H I 3 



1 atom of formiate of potash. . . . C 2 H O 4 K 



5 atoms of iodide of potassium. . . ^5^5 



4 atoms of water H 4 O 4 



C 4 H 6 O 8 I 8 K 6 



lodoform crystallizes in brilliant yellow plates, and has a 

 characteristic odour suggesting that of saffron. It is insoluble 

 in water, but very soluble in alcohol, ether and wood spirit. It 

 sublimes at 212; at 248 it undergoes decomposition and is 

 resolved into carbon, iodine and hydriodic acid. It gives a 

 peculiar liquid of a deep red colour and density 1.96, when 

 distilled with chloride of phosphorus or with corrosive subli- 

 mate ; this liquid contains chlorine, iodine and formyl. 



Sulphuret of formyl, FoS 3 ? (Bouchardat). A liquid obtained 

 by distilling 1 part of iodide of formyl with 3 parts of sulphuret 

 of mercury; hydrate of potash converts it into sulphuret of 

 potassium and formiate of potash. 



Action of chlorine upon oxide of methyl. Chlorine gas de- 

 composes the oxide of methyl gas, forming hydrochloric acid 

 and the following products, as observed by M. Regnault : 



Density. Boiling point. Density of 

 vapour. 



Oxide of methyl. ...... C 2 H 3 O 1570=2 v. 



TT 



Monochlorinated oxide of. methyl. C 2 p, 2 O 1.315 105 cent. 4047=2 v. 



Bichlorinated oxide of methyl. . . C3j O 1.606 130 , 6367=2 v. 



*UJ 2 



Perchlorinated oxide of methyl. . C 2 C1 8 O 1.594 212 4670=4 v. 



