INTRODUCTION. 



WHILE the electrolysis of inorganic compounds has 

 already obtained a recognized position in pure and 

 applied science, the action of the electric current, as 

 a productive means for carrying out the synthesis or 

 decomposition of organic substances, has not given 

 results which are entirely satisfactory. The reason 

 for this lies in the great difficulty that is encountered 

 in investigations aimed in this direction by the ap- 

 pearance of secondary, complicated processes in the 

 cell, in contrast to the gen- rally simple decomposi- 

 tions of inorganic compounds by the electric current. 

 The very different conditions required for inorganic 

 and organic electrolysis give a distinctive character to 

 the history of these two branches. In inorganic 

 electrolysis one investigation follows as a continuation 

 of those preceding it. The later investigators stand 

 upon the shoulders of their predecessors. A sys- 

 tematic and regular development is the result. The 

 case is different in organic electrolysis, Difficulties 



which were seldom surmounted have caused each in- 



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