68 ELECTROLYSIS AND ELECTROS YN THESIS 



reduction of nitro-compounds produces an effect 

 entirely different from that caused by the addition of 

 benzaldehyde. The phenomena occurring in this case 

 have been thoroughly investigated by Lob. 1 



The fundamental object of his researches differs 

 from that of Gattermann, in that Lob undertakes to 

 establish the separate phases of the reduction of the 

 nitro-group. 



This he accomplishes by the addition of formal- 

 dehyde to the electrolyte under varying conditions, 

 and as a result the intermediate products, at the 

 moment of their formation, combine with formal- 

 dehyde, producing condensation compounds which do 

 not undergo further decomposition. By regulating 

 the potential and density of the current the reaction 

 can at will be checked at a perfectly definite phase of 

 the reduction. 



In the electrolysis of nitro-benzene by this method 

 there were formed : 



1. p-Anhydro-hydroxylamine-benzyl alcohol, 



, H /NH.OH 

 ' n *\CH 3 OH n ' 



which may also be directly prepared by the action of 

 formaldehyde on phenyl-hydroxylamine. 



2. Methylene-di-p-anhydro-amido-benzyl alcohol, 



F /NH.C.H.CH^ 

 L CH '\NH.C 6 H 4 CH 2 / 



Ztschr. f. Elektroch., 4, 428. 



