52 On two new Compounds of Chlorine and Carbon. [1820. 



found to contain no hydriodic acid, but only pure olefiant gas. 

 Hence the effect had been simply to produce a compound of 

 the iodine with the olefiant gas. 



O 



The new body formed was obtained pure by introducing a 

 solution of potash into the retort, which dissolved all the free 

 iodine ; the substance was then collected together and dried. 

 It is a solid white crystalline body, having a sweet taste and 

 aromatic smell. It sinks readily in sulphuric acid of specific 

 gravity 1 '85. It is friable ; is not a conductor of electricity. 

 When heated, it first fuses, and then sublimes without any 

 change. Its vapour condenses into crystals, which are either 

 prismatic or in plates. On becoming solid after fusion, it also 

 crystallizes in needles. The crystals are transparent. When 

 highly heated it is decomposed, and iodine evolved. It is not 

 readily combustible; but when held in the flame of a spirit-lamp, 

 burns, diminishing the flame, and giving off abundance of 

 iodine and some fumes of hydriodic acid. It is insoluble in 

 water, or in acid and alkaline solutions. It is soluble in alco- 

 hol and aether, and may be obtained in crystals from these so- 

 lutions. The alcoholic solution is of a very sweet taste, but 

 leaves a peculiarly sharp biting sensation on the tongue. 



Sulphuric acid does not dissolve it. When heated in the 

 acid to between 300 and 400, the compound is decomposed, 

 apparently by the heat alone ; and iodine and a gas, probably 

 olefiant gas, are liberated. Solution of potash acts on it very 

 slowly, even at the boiling-point, but does gradually decom- 

 pose it. 



This substance is evidently analogous to the compound of 

 olefiant gas and chlorine, and remarkably resembles it in the 

 sweetness of its taste, though it differs from it in form, &c. It 

 will, with that body, form a new class of compounds, and they 

 will require names to distinguish them. The term chloric aether, 

 applied to the compound of olefiant gas and chlorine, did not 

 at any time convey a very definite idea, and the analogous name 

 of iodic aether would evidently be very improper for a solid cry- 

 stalline body heavier than sulphuric acid. Mr. Brande has 

 suggested the names of hydriodide of carbon and hydrochlo- 

 ride of carbon for these two bodies. Perhaps, as their ge- 

 neral properties range with those of the combustibles, while the 

 specific nature of the compound is decided by the supporter of 



