364 ORGANIC CHEMISTRY. 



What is said 916. PRODUCTION FROM ILLUMINATING 



of the produc- GAS Alcohol may also be produced from 



tion of alcohol 



from olefiant heavy carburetted hydrogen, one of the con- 

 gas ' stituents of ordinary illuminating gas. This 



is one of the most remarkable results of modern science. 

 Most of the processes of organic chemistry consist in 

 taking apart the complex molecules of organic matter and 

 reducing them to a simpler form, as was illustrated in the 

 production of alcohol and carbonic acid from sugar. Na- 

 ture, for the most part, jealously withholds from man 

 the power so to direct her forces as to build up arid 

 produce more complex organic substances by the com- 

 bination of those of simpler nature. This takes place 

 as a general rule only under the influence of the vital 

 forces of vegetable and animal existence, as when the 

 plant produces sugar from the elements of the atmos- 

 phere. The case is an exception to the general rule. 

 Explain its 917. By reference to the central group 



production. o f tne fig ure which represents a molecule 

 of heavy carburetted hydrogen, it will be seen that all 

 that is necessary to effect its conver- 

 sion into alcohol, is the addition of 

 two molecules of water. By long 

 agitation of the gas with strong sul- 

 phuric acid, the transference of part of the water which 

 it holds combined is effected. On subsequent dilution 

 and distillation, alcohol is obtained from the mixture. 

 Carbonate of potassa is added in the process of distil- 

 lation, to diminish the proportion of water which would 

 otherwise pass off with the alcohol. After repeated dis- 

 tillation, strong alcohol is thus obtained. 



