342 ALPHAXYLYLIC ACID, ETC. 



bromethylbenzene ; and by oxidation of diethylbenzene 

 with dilute nitric acid. Colorless, lustrous laminse, 

 similar to benzoic acid. But slightly soluble in cold 

 water, more readily in hot water, very easily soluble 

 in alcohol. Fuses at 110. Further oxidation con- 

 verts it into terephtalic acid. 



5. Alphaxylylic acid, C 6 H 4 co OH Is pro- 



duced from tolyl cyanide (p. 315) by boiling with alco- 

 holic potassa. Colorless, lustrous, broad laminse. 

 Easily soluble in hot water. Fuses at 42. 



6. Hydro cinnamic acid (Phenylpropionic acid), 

 C 6 H 5 .CH 2 .CH 2 .CO.OH. Is formed by the action of 

 nascent hydrogen (sodium-amalgam) on cinnamic acid ; 

 and by boiling benzene-ethyl cyanide (p. 285) with al- 

 coholic potassa. Crystallizes from water in long, fine 

 needles. Easily soluble in boiling water and in alco- 

 hol, difficultly soluble in cold water, but more readily 

 than benzoic acid. Fuses at 47, and boils without 

 decomposition at 280. Chromic acid oxidizes it, 

 forming benzoic acid. 



7. Hydratropic acid, C 6 H 5 .CH j QQQ H Is pro- 



duced by the action of nascent hydrogen (sodium-amal- 

 gam) on atropic acid. Colorless liquid, which does not 

 congeal at a low temperature. 



4. Acids, C 10 H 12 2 . 



1. Durylie acid (Cumylic acid), OTI 2 j ^jjj Is 



obtained by oxidizing durene with dilute nitric acid. 

 Crystallizes from alcohol in lustrous, hard prisms ; fus- 

 ing point, 149-150. Almost insoluble in cold water, 

 easily soluble in alcohol and ether. When further 

 oxidized it is converted into cumidinic acid. 



