SALICYLIC ALDEHYDE. 323 



less oil, of a strong aromatic odor and burning taste; 

 congeals at 20. Boils at 196. Difficultly soluble 

 in water; mixes with alcohol in all proportions. The 

 aqueous solution is colored deep violet by iron chlo- 

 ride. Like oil of bitter almonds, it combines with 

 alkaline bisulphites and with ammonia, forming crys- 

 talline compounds ; and is converted by oxidizing 

 agents into salicylic acid. With phosphorus chloride, 

 at the ordinary temperature, it yields orthooxybenzal 

 chloride C 6 H 4 (OII).CHC1 2 (prisms, fusing at 82); when 

 heated with an excess of phosphorus chloride, ortho- 

 chlorbenzal chloride C 6 H 4 C1.CHC1 2 (liquid, boiling at 

 227-230, isomeric with the chlorbenzal chloride of 

 the para-series, obtained from toluene, p. 275). Sali- 

 cylic aldehyde is dissolved by the alkalies, crystallizing 

 compounds being formed. The potassium compound 



(potassium salicylite), C 6 H 4 | QJJQ crystallizes in 



quadratic plates, which are easily soluble in alcohol 

 and water, and, when moist, are decomposed rapidly in 

 contact with the air. 



Methylsalicylic aldehyde (Methylorthooxyben- 

 zylic aldehyde), C 6 H 4 j Q JJQ is obtained by allowing 



methyl iodide to act upon potassium salicylite. 

 Liquid, boiling at 238. 



Acetylsalicylic aldehyde, C 6 H 4 | ^0^ Is 



obtained by the action of acetic anhydride on sodium 

 salicylite at the ordinary temperature. Fine needles. 

 Fusing point, 37. Boils at 253, at the same time 

 undergoing partial decomposition. 



Chlorosalicylic aldehyde, C 6 H 3 C1(OH).CHO. By 



the action of chlorine on salicylic aldehyde. Yellow- 

 ish-white lamellae. 



