INOSITE. 133 



4. Heat a portion of inosic acid, or an inosate on 

 platinum foil ; it will decompose, giving off the odour 

 of roast meat. 



Inosite, C 6 H 13 6 . 1. Mince the muscular portion of 

 the heart ; add water, allow to stand for some time, 

 frequently stirring the mass. Separate the residue and 

 press. Boil the nitrate with a little acetic acid, evapo- 

 rate to one tenth of its bulk, precipitate with a solution 

 of neutral lead acetate, and filter. Mix the filtrate 

 with basic lead acetate : a precipitate falls of impure 

 inosite. Wash the precipitate, and decompose by 

 passing sulphuretted hydrogen ; filter off the precipi- 

 tated lead sulphide. Evaporate the filtrate to a low 

 bulk ; separate any crystals which may be formed, and 

 mix the clear liquid with alcohol until a turbidity is 

 produced : crystals of inosite will be deposited. 



2. Inosite dissolves in water ; it is insoluble in 

 absolute alcohol and ether ; it has a sweet taste. 



3. Heat inosite on some platinum foil; it melts, 

 swells up, evolving gas which burns with a pale blue 

 flame ; it then chars and burns with a luminous flame. 



4. Evaporate a solution of inosite in dilute nitric 

 acid nearly to dryness. Moisten the residue with 

 ammonia and a little calcium chloride solution ; evapo- 

 rate, when a rosy-red substance will be left. 



5. Boil an aqueous solution of inosite with potash 

 containing a drop of dilute copper sulphate ; the copper 

 salt is not reduced. 



6. Inosite is not altered by boiling with dilute acids 

 or alkalies. 



