508 Bulletin 167 



1 M.nate removed, the filtrate distilled, and about 75 cc. of the 

 distillate collected. A portion of the distillate was tested for 

 alcohol and allied bodies by adding 5 to 6 drops of a 10', 

 S( dution of potassium hydroxid, bringing the solution to a 

 temperature of 50 C, and, then, adding a saturated solution 

 of iodin in potassium iodid drop by drop until the liquid had 

 a permanent brown color. After thorough agitation, the potas- 

 sium hydroxid solution was added drop by drop until the color 

 disappeared. In every instance a copious formation of iodoform 

 resulted. None of the controls gave the precipitate. This re- 

 action is not peculiar to alcohol, but is produced also by ace- 

 tone, aldehyde, isopropyl alcohol, propylic and butylic alcohols 

 and aldehydes, various ethers, meconic, laevulic. and lactic acids. 

 turpentine, sugar, etc. On the other hand it is not given by 

 methyl or amyl alcohol, chloroform, chloral, glycerin or ether; 

 nor by acetic, formic or oxalic acids. 1 In general substances 

 containing the group CH,C linked to oxygen answer to the 

 iodoform test. 2 



The iodoform producing bodies likely to be present in 

 this distillate were alcohol or bodies belonging to the aldehyde 

 or ketone groups. In order to determine if possible whether 

 the body present was an alcohol, aldehyde or ketone, or whether 

 all three were present, portions of the distillate were subjected 

 to the following tests : 



1. A few drops of 10 percent sodium hydroxid were added 

 to a few cc. No distinctive reaction occurred, but upon stand- 

 ing a small amount of slimy or slightly resinous precipitate 

 collected at the bottom of the tube. This was present, however. 

 in only minute amounts. 



2. A solution of Merck's phenol dissolved in excess of 

 sulphuric acid when treated with a few cc. of the solution gave 

 no characteristic scarlet color. 



'Allen. Commercial Organic Analysis. 1, p. 91 (1903). 

 2 Holleman, A. F. Textbook of Organic Chemistry, p. 173 (1903). 



