OF ALIPHATIC COMPOUNDS. 21 



apparatus consisted of a copper beaker 23 cm. high 

 and 8 cm. in diameter, which served as the cathode. 

 A porous earthenware cell, which contained the anode 

 and was closed with a three-hole stopper, stood in the 

 beaker. Through the perforations of the stopper 

 passed a thermometer, a gas-conducting tube, and the 

 electric conductor leading to the anode. The anode 

 used in some experiments was a platinum wire i mm. 

 in diameter and 2 m. in length, in others a platinum 

 cylinder 14 cm. high and 2.5 cm. in diameter. This 

 variation of current density was, however, of second- 

 ary importance. Solutions of the potassium salts 

 having a specific gravity of 1.08-1.12 were used as 

 the electrolyte. Current strengths of 4-5 amperes 

 were reached with a difference of potential at the poles 

 of 6-8 volts. The electrolysis was continued 2-3 

 hours, the solution being kept cool. The following 

 results were obtained : 

 Potassium Butyrate, 



CH 8 .CH,.CH 2 .COOK. 



225 g. propylene bromide (CH 3 .CHBr.CH 2 Br), corre- 

 sponding to 47 g. propylene (CH 2 CH = CH 2 ); 

 1 8 g. isopropyl alcohol (CH,.CHOH.CH 3 ); 4.5 g. 

 butyric isopropyl ester (CH 3 .CH 3 .CH 3 .COOCH(CH 8 ) a ); 

 4.5 g. complicated products, which became resinous 

 when the ester was saponified by boiling with alkali 

 hydroxide. 



