52 ELECTROLYSIS AND ELECTROS YNTHESIS 



observed that the decomposition of potassium pheno- 

 late was analogous to that of an acid or a salt; 

 the potassium phenolate was split up into K 

 (cathion) and C 6 H 5 O (anion), the latter combining 

 with water to form phenol, with the liberation of 

 oxygen. Bartoli and Papasogli, on electrolyzing solu- 

 tions of phenol in potassium and sodium hydroxide, 

 and using electrodes of coke, graphite, and platinum, 

 obtained an acid having the composition C 7 H 6 O 4 , 

 which melted at 93, reduced ammoniacal silver solu- 

 tion and Fehling's solution on being heated, and when 

 in aqueous solution was not precipitated by acids. 

 When, however, coke was used as the positive elec- 

 trode, an extensive decomposition of the phenol 

 occurred and a resin was formed. 



On subjecting a neutral potassium phenolate solu- 

 tion to the action of the electric current they were 

 able to isolate a compound, C 66 H 48 O a2 , soluble in alkali 

 and precipitated from such solutions by mineral acids. 

 This latter compound on being oxidized with nitric 

 acid formed picric acid. When allowed to remain in 

 solution in the presence of dilute acids for a prolonged 

 period, it underwent decomposition according to the 

 following equation: 



C, t H <8 0,, + H.O = C 4 ,H0 lt + C..H..O.. 

 The electrolysis of neutral sodium phenolate solu- 



