80 ACETIC ACID. 



of this mixture increases. The acid containing 77-80 

 per cent, has the highest specific gravity, 1.0754 at 

 15.5. Then it decreases, and an acid of 50 per cent, 

 has about the same specific gravity as the anhydrous 

 acid. When the acid contains water, it does not crys- 

 tallize even at 0. 



Potassium acetate, C 2 H 3 2 K. A white, very deli- 

 quescent salt, also soluble in alcohol. From a solution 

 of this salt in concentrated acetic acid is deposited, on 

 evaporating, a salt, C 2 H 3 2 K + C 2 H 4 2 , in laminae, pos- 

 sessing a mother-of-pearl lustre. This salt fuses at 

 148, and at 200 is resolved into acetic acid 'and potas- 

 sium acetate. Sodium acetate, C 2 H 3 2 ]^"a + 2H 2 0. Clear, 

 prismatic, easily soluble crystals. Ammonium acetate, 

 C 2 H 3 2 .]N~H 4 . White salt. Its solution loses ammonia 

 when evaporated. Subjected to dry distillation, it 

 yields acetamide. 



Barium acetate, (C 2 H 3 2 ) 2 Ba, crystalline, easily 

 soluble salt. 



Iron acetate. The salt of the suboxide, (C 2 IP0 2 ) 2 Fe, 

 forms green, easily soluble prisms. The salt of the 

 oxide does not crystallize ; it forms a deep red solution, 

 from which all the iron is precipitated as a basic salt 

 by boiling. 



Lead acetate, (C 2 H 3 2 ) 2 Pb -}- 3H 2 0. Sugar of lead. 

 Is prepared on the large scale by dissolving ground 

 litharge in distilled acetic acid. Colorless, lustrous 

 prisms of a disagreeable, sweet taste ; poisonous. Easily 

 soluble in water and also in alcohol. Fuses at 75 in 

 its water of crystallization, loses this at 100 and con- 

 geals. At a high temperature it fuses again and loses 

 one-third of its acetic acid, which escapes as carbonic 

 anhydride and acetone. The solidified residue is a 

 basic salt, which at a still higher temperature decom- 

 poses, yielding lead oxide, 'carbonic anhydride and 

 acetone. Basic salts can also be obtained by digesting 

 a solution of sugar of lead with lead oxide. It com- 



