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IX. On Bmzoline, a new Organic Salt-base from Bittei^ Almond Oil, 

 By George Fownes, Esq., Ph.D., F.R.S, 



Received May 9, — Read May 29, 1845. 



When pure oU of bitter almonds is left some days in contact with a strong solu- 

 tion of ammonia, at the ordinary temperature of the air, it is slowly, but in the end 

 completely converted into a white crystalline substance, insoluble in water, but 

 readily soluble in hot alcohol. The solidification of the oil is complete, and there is 

 no secondary product. This substance was examined by M. Laurent*, who con- 

 ferred upon it the name of hydrohenzamide, and assigned to it the formula C42 Hig N2 J 

 it is generated by the union of the elements of two equivalents of ammonia with those 

 of three equivalents of hydruret of benzoyle, and the separation of six equivalents of 

 water. 



3 eq. bitter almond oil . C42H18 Ogj _ f Hydrohenzamide C42H18N2 

 2 eq. ammonia H gNa J ~ 16 eq. water ... H g Og 



C42 H24 Ng Og C42 H24 N2 Og 



Acids decompose hydrobenzamide immediately, with separation of bitter almond 

 oil and formation of salt of ammonia ; with alkalies the case is different, solution of 

 potash, even at a boiling heat, occasioning, as remarked by M. Laurent, no percep- 

 tible change. I found however that when the boiling was prolonged for some hours, 

 a change was induced resembling that undergone by furfurolamide\ under similar 

 circumstances. A few brownish crystalline flocks appear in the solution, and after 

 cooling, the cake of resin- like substance is found harder and less fusible than hydro- 

 benzamide which has been melted and left to solidify. This change is unaccompanied 

 by any notable alteration of weight, although a faint odour of bitter almond oil is 

 disengaged during the whole course of the ebullition. The new substance is an 

 organic salt-base, having the same composition as hydrobenzamide itself; it might 

 perhaps with propriety be called benzoline. 



The salts formed by this substance are for the most part remarkable for sparing 

 solubility, with the exception of the acetate ; the hydrochlorate, the nitrate, and the 

 sulphate are crystallizable ; the last-named salt is exceedingly beautiful, crystallizing 

 from an acid solution in colourless prisms resembling those of oxalic acid. 



Precipitated by ammonia from a cold solution of the hydrochlorate or sulphate, 



* Ann. Chijp, et Phys. 62, p. 23. .. , t See preceding paper. 



