BENZOYL. 



is benzoyl in which the 2 equivalents of oxygen are replaced by 

 2 equivalents made up of sulphur and nitrogen : 



Or, multiplying the preceding formula by three, as 2 atoms of 

 hydruret of sulphobenzoyl, and 1 atom of hydruret of azoben- 

 zoyl : 



In these formula, N^. is made equivalent to S or O, an opinion 

 which M. Laurent has long maintained. 



Benzimide, C 28 H n NO 4 , a substance discovered by Laurent 

 in crude essence of bitter almonds. It crystallizes in white 

 needles, which have a pearly lustre and are very light. 



ISOMERIC COMPOUNDS OF BENZOYL. 



Benzoine, C 14 H 6 O 2 , a crystalline substance, having the same 

 composition as hydruret of benzoyl, into which the latter is 

 often converted in a manner that is not understood. It is 

 never produced in the pure hydruret of benzoyl, but is formed 

 in the essence, which contains hydrocyanic acid, by the pre- 

 sence of alkalies, sulphuret of sodium and cyanide of potassium. 

 The essence may be converted entirely into benzoine, by mix- 

 ing it with an equal volume of a solution of potash in alcohol 

 kept cold. It is purified by repeated crystallizations from 

 alcohol. * 



Benzoine crystallizes in colourless prisms of high lustre, is 

 inodorous, tasteless, fuses at 248, and distils at a higher tem- 

 perature without being modified. It is slightly soluble in hot 

 water, but insoluble in cold, more soluble in hot than cold alcohol. 



Hydrobenzo'inamide, a white powder, obtained by treating 

 benzoine with solution of ammonia at a gentle heat, isomeric 

 with hydrobenzamide (Laurent). 



Benzile, C 14 H 5 O 2 , a substance which crystallizes in regular 

 six-sided prisms, of a rhombic base, and sulphur-yellow colour ; 

 formed by passing a stream of chlorine gas through fused ben- 

 zoine, so long as hydrochloric acid is disengaged. It is ino- 



