SYNTHETICAL EESEAECHES ON ACIDS OF THE LACTIC SEEIES. 345 



An organic acid containing n atoms of oxatyl is n-basic. 



Classification of the Acids of the Lactic Series. 



We propose classifying all acids of the lactic series at present known, or which could 

 be obtained by obvious processes, into the following eight divisions : — 



1. Normal Acids. 5. Normal Olefine Acids. 



2. Etheric Normal Acids. 6. Etheric Normal Olefine Acids. 



3. Secondary Acids. 7. Secondary Olefine Acids. 



4. Etheric Secondary Acids. 8. Etheric Secondary Olefine Acids. 



1st. Normal Acids. — A normal acid of the lactic series may be defined as one in which 

 an atom of carbon is united with oxatyl, hydroxyl, and at least one atom of hydrogen. 

 The general formula of these acids is therefore 



rCRHHo 



ICOHo 



+ 

 In this foimula R may be either hydrogen or any monad alcohol radical ; and the number 



of acids possessing the same atomic weight, and belonging to this division, is determined 

 by the number of isomeric modifications of which the alcohol radical is susceptible. 

 Thus, of the acids containing two, three, or four atoms of carbon, there can be only one 

 of each belonging to this division, because these acids cannot contain an alcohol radical 

 higher in the series than ethyl, which is not susceptible of isomeric modification ; but a 

 normal acid containing propyl can have one isomer in this division, the two acids con- 

 taining respectively propyl (C Et Hg) and isopropyl (C Me^ H). For acids of this divi- 

 sion containing normal alcohol radicals only, the following general graphic formula may 

 be given : — 



In the case of glycoUic acid w=0. 



The following are the acids at present known belonging to this division* : — 



Glycollic acid fCH^Ho 



ICOHo 



Lactic acid fCMeHHo 



ICOHo 



Oxybutyric acid jCEtHHo^ 



ICOHo 



Leucicacid fCBuHHo 



ICOHo 



* Since the above was written Fittiq has produced valerolactic acid, the rational formula of which is 

 doubUess I ^^^^^'^.— April 29th, 1866. 



