OF ALIPHATIC COMPOUNDS. 5 



importance of these data and the fact that the result 

 of the electrolysis is dependent upon the density and 

 potential of the electric current and the influence of 

 the dissociative power of solutions, a strong incentive 

 for repeating the experiments, with the help of 

 modern scientific and technical advancement, is 

 offered to the investigator. 



lodoform* The complete conversion of ethyl alco- 

 hol into iodoform by electrolysis in alkaline iodide 

 solution is a process now made use of in industrial 

 chemistry. The course of the reaction is illustrated 

 by the equation (K. Elbs 2 and Herz 8 ) 



CH S CH 2 OH + 10! + H 2 = Ci}- CO, + ;HI. 



The electrolysis is best performed as follows: A 

 solution of 10-15 g- calcined soda and 10 g. potas- 

 sium iodide in 100 cc. water and 20 cc. alcohol is 

 placed in a porous earthenware cylinder with platinum 

 anode. The cathode, of nickel, is surrounded by a 

 strong solution of sodium hydroxide. The electroly- 

 sis is carried out at a temperature of 70 C., with a 

 current density at the anode of I amp. per 100 sq. 

 cm., and is continued for 2-4 hours. 



After standing for several hours iodoform crystal- 

 lizes from the solution, the current yield being 60- 



1 German Patent, 29,771. 



2 Ztschr. f. Elektroch., 4, 113. 



8 Oettel, Elektroch. Uebungsaufg., 1897, p. 53. 



