264 MR. G. FOWNES ON BENZOLINE, A NEW ORGANIC 



benzoline separates in white curdy masses, which when washed and dried diminished 

 greatly in volume ; when quite dry the powder is singularly electric ; if rubbed with 

 a spatula its particles repel each other with violence, scattering the powder over the 

 paper on which it lies. It is not sensibly soluble in water, but dissolves with great 

 ease in alcohol and ether. A hot alcoholic solution left for some time deposits the 

 base in brilliant transparent colourless crystals, which apparently have the form of 

 square prisms with variously-terminated summits ; the alcoholic solution is strongly 

 alkaline to test-paper. At a temperature below 212° benzoline melts, and on cooling 

 assumes a transparent glassy state, without any tendency to crystallization. Heated 

 in a retort, it boils and at length entirely volatilizes, with scarcely a residue of char- 

 coal. Ammonia is disengaged during the distillation, a highly volatile oily liquid, 

 having the odour of benzine, collects in the receiver, and a crystalline solid matter 

 condenses in the neck of the retort. This latter substance, which seems to be the 

 most abundant product, has been but partially examined ; it is described below under 

 the name pyrohenzoline. 



The action of oxidizing agents upon benzoline is remarkable. When heated in a 

 retort with a mixture of bichromate of potash, sulphuric acid and water, it is attacked 

 with great energy, the mixture becomes dark green, and on distillation benzoic 

 acid in large quantity passes over with the vapour of water. With nitric acid the 

 same change seems to occur, but the action is not so definite and speedy. Hydro- 

 benzamide, under similar circumstances, yields the same product, accompanied how- 

 ever in the first part of the distillation by a little bitter almond oil. Melted hydrate 

 of potash appears to exert no action on benzoline, unless the temperature be ex- 

 cessive. 



The composition of this substance, and its isomerism with hydrobenzamide, are 

 shown by the following analyses : — 



Substance 



Carbonic acid produced . 

 Water produced . . . 



Ill 100 parts, — 



Carbon . . 



Hydrogen . . 6-11 6-01 6*12 



The nitrogen was determined by the process of MM. Will and Varrentrapp, as 

 below : — 



(1.) (2.) 



Substance . 3-88 grs. 5*036 grs. 



Platinum salt produced . . . 5-57 grs. 7"28 grs. 



Per-centage of nitrogen . . . 9*0/ 9*12 



