96 VALERIC ACIDS. 



opulus ; in the oil of Delphinum globiceps. Is produced 

 by the oxidation of amyl alcohol ; by warming isobutyl 

 cyanide with potassa ; the ethyl ether is produced by 

 the successive action of sodium and isopropyl iodide 

 on acetic ether. It is produced further by the oxida- 

 tion of fats and of leucine ; by the putrefaction of albu- 

 minoid substances (hence contained in old cheese). 

 To prepare it, valerian roots are distilled with water. 

 More practicably from ferment amyl alcohol. To 5 

 parts potassium bichromate and 4 parts water in a 

 retort, which is united with a condensing apparatus in 

 such a manner that the condensed vapors are returned 

 to it, is gradually added a mixture of 1 part amyl 

 alcohol and 4 parts concentrated sulphuric acid. At 

 first the liquid becomes heated spontaneously, afterward 

 it is kept at the boiling temperature, until oily streaks 

 (of valeric aldehyde) are no longer observable in the 

 neck of the retort, then distilled off. The distillate is 

 neutralized with sodium carbonate, the amyl valerate, 

 which separates, drawn or distilled off, and the dried 

 salt decomposed with its weight of sulphuric acid, 

 previously diluted with J its weight of water. The valeric 

 acid, which separates, is drawn off, desiccated and rec- 

 tified. Colorless liquid, with a peculiar, pungent, acid 

 odor; specific gravity, 0.9468; boiling point, 171-172. 

 Soluble in 30 parts of water. Can be separated from 

 this solution by means of easily soluble salts. 

 The valerates of the alkalies are deliquescent salts. 



Barium valerate, /C 5 H 9 2 ) 2 Ba, easily soluble, lus- 

 trous prisms of the triclinic system, or laminae. Zinc 

 valerate, (C 5 H 9 2 ) 2 Zn, separates, on the evaporation of its 

 solution, in the form of lustrous scales. Silver valerate, 

 C 5 H 9 2 Ag, white precipitate, crystallizing from boiling 

 water. 



Methyl valerate, C 5 H 9 O.O.CH 3 . Liquid, boiling 

 at 115 ; insoluble in water. The ethyl ether, C 5 H 9 O.O. 

 C 2 H 5 , boils at 133 ; the amyl ether, C 5 H 9 O.O.C 5 H n , boils 

 at 188. 



