Compound Celluloses 137 



lives of pyrogallol, viz. mairogallol and leucogallol. These 

 chlorides in turn have been shown to be derived from oxy- 

 quinone groups of the general type 

 /CH=CH X 



co < c _ _ C > CH ' 



(OH), (OH), 



(Hantzsch and Schniter, Berl. Ber. 20, 2023.) 

 the presence of which in the lignone complex consistently 

 accounts for the most characteristic features of the ligno- 

 cellulose. (2) The residue of the lignine complex, while of 

 similar empirical composition, i.e. approximately, C 2n H 2n O n , 

 has very different constitutional relationships. Since it readily 

 breaks down under the action of dilute chromic acid in the 

 cold, to acetic acid as a main product, it might be formulated 

 by one of the many alternative CO-CH 2 groupings ; and with 

 the keto-R.-hexene groups above the entire complex may be 

 expected to show the constitutional features of the pyrone group. 



The further chlorination of the lignone chloride in solution in 

 glacial acetic acid has been studied by the authors (J. Chem. Soc. 

 1883,43, 18-21). 



The products investigated were obtained from jute (a), and 

 from the fibre (f.v.b.) of the monocotyledonous Musa paradisiaca 

 (b). The analysis of the further chlorinated products showed a 

 higher percentage of chlorine (3375), the results also establishing 

 for both products the empirical formula C 38 H 44 C1 U O 16 . The re- 

 action needs further investigation. 



The similarity should be noted of the empirical formulae of the 

 halogenated derivatives of these unsaturated fibre-compounds with 

 those established by Sestini for the so-called sacchulmic com- 

 pounds (Gazzetta, 1882, 292 ; J. Chem. Soc. 1882, 1182). These 

 compounds are obtained from the carbohydrates by various 

 processes of dehydration, and, more particularly, spontaneous de- 

 compositions or decay of vegetable (cellulosic) matter (* humus '). 



(2) Bromine. Bromine attacks the lignocelluloses in 

 presence ot water ; the brominated compound which results 



