Compound Celluloses 119 



itself; the disintegration which ensues is characterised by 

 fracture of the fibre-bundles or filaments. 



The following results of particular experiments may be cited : 



Fibre digested with 7 p.ct. H 2 SO 4 



(1) 1 8 hrs.^at 60-80 : loss of weight, 12-0 p.ct 



(2) 12 hrs.*at 80-90 : 97 



(3) 42 hrs. at 80-90 : 23-0 



The investigation of the products from (3) gave the following 

 results : 



(a) Soluble. Isolated by neutralising with BaCO 3 . Evapora- 

 tion, solution of residue in alcohol, evaporating solvent and 

 drying at 105 gave, on combustion : 



Calc. C 12 H 18 O, 



C 46-29 46-08 47 -05 



H 575 5'95 5'88 



This substance gave with Cl the characteristic quinone chloride, 

 and on boiling with hydrochloric acid, furfural. 



On adding phenylhydrazine acetate to the concentrated solu- 

 tion of the product and heating at 90-100, an osazone is formed: 

 it separates as a coagulum of characteristic greenish-yellow colour. 

 After washing and drying, the product may be purified by solution 

 in toluene ; from which solution satisfactory crystallisations are 

 obtained. A series of these compounds has been obtained with 

 melting points ranging from 110-130, and containing from 9-10 

 p.ct. nitrogen. Their relationship to the original fibre-substance 

 has not yet been determined. 



(b) Insoluble. The brittle fibrous residue gave with chlorine the 

 characteristic reaction, and the cellulose isolated in the usual way 

 amounted to 75 p.ct. of the weight of the product. 



The action of the acids proceeds, as stated, to a limit 

 which is determined by the concurrent effects of condensation. 

 If the fibre be then washed and boiled for a short time in 

 alkaline solution, it is again rendered susceptible of attack by 

 the, hydrolysing acids, with further conversion into soluble 

 derivatives. 



If the acid solutions are boiled, the dissolved product ia 



