OF ALIPHATIC COMPOUNDS. 9 



tion products. The experiments made by the same 

 author on the electrolysis of dextrine, gum arable, 

 collodion, and starch gave no noteworthy results. 



The general impression gained from the investiga- 

 tions of the alcohols, aldehydes, and alcohol-aldehydes 

 mentioned, is that the general reaction is one of suc- 

 cessive oxidation. The electrolytic oxygen gradually 

 oxidizes the substances, the final product being car- 

 bon dioxide. Intermediate products are formed, 

 their quantity depending upon the duration of the 

 electrolysis. In following these processes it is of 

 especial importance whether the oxidation products 

 are soluble or insoluble and whether they are electro- 

 lytes or not. The possibility of isolating the products 

 which are formed depends on these properties. If 

 the product of oxidation first formed is a good con- 

 ductor of the electric current it will, of course, undergo 

 further oxidation; if it is insoluble it escapes the 

 further action of the current. In order, therefore, to 

 obtain a comprehensive idea of the decomposition of 

 organic substances it is necessary immediately to 

 withdraw the electrolyzed fluid from the action of the 

 current. Miller and Hofer 1 accomplished this by 

 allowing the solution to flow slowly over the elec- 

 trodes. But very few experiments of this nature have 

 been made. Mannite serves as an illustration of such 

 an oxidation process. As already mentioned, it 

 1 Chem. Ber., 27, 461. 



