PROPIONIC ACID. 89 



temperature. Colorless, thick prisms; fusing point, 

 119.5. 



Amidoaeetamide, CH 2 (NH 2 )CO.^H 2 . The hydro- 

 chlorate is formed by heating ethyl chloracetate with 

 an excess of an alcoholic solution of ammonia to 60- 

 70, the free compound by heating glycocol with alco- 

 holic ammonia to 155-156. White mass, very easily 

 soluble in ammonia; strongly alkaline; undergoes a 

 partial spontaneous decomposition into glycocol and 

 ammonia, when its aqueous solution is allowed to 

 evaporate in contact with the air. Takes up carbonic 

 anhydride from the air. It is hence difficult to obtain 

 it in a free condition. The hydtyhlorate C 2 H 6 K 2 O.HC1 

 consists of easily soluble prisms. 



Diacetamide, (CH 3 .CO) 2 KH. Is formed, together 

 with other bodies, by heating acetamide in a current of 

 dry hydrochloric acid, and by heating acetonitrile with 

 concentrated acetic acid up to 200. Colorless crystals, 

 easily soluble in water; fusing point, 59; boiling 

 point, 210-215. 



Triacetamide, (CH 3 .CO) 3 N. Is formed when aceto- 

 nitrile is heated for a long time with acetic anhydride 

 to 200. Small, colorless crystals; fusing point, 78- 



79. 



3. Propionic Add. 

 = CH 3 .CH 2 .CO.OH. 



Formation and preparation. In small quantity, to 

 gether with acetic acid, by the dry distillation of wood. 

 From metacetone (see cane-sugar) and other acetones 

 by oxidation. From sugar by the action of concen- 

 trated potassa. Sodium ethylate combines with car- 

 bonic anhydride, forming sodium propionate. Carbonic 

 oxide and sodium alcoholate unite, forming sodium 

 propionate. Is prepared most practicably by boiling 

 propionitrile (see p. 47) for a long time with an alco- 



8* 



