522 CONSIDERATION OF CARBON COMPOUNDS. 



The official ether contains of ethyl-ether 96 per cent, and of 

 alcohol 4 per cent. It is a very mobile, colorless, highly volatile 

 liquid, of a refreshing, characteristic odor, a burning and sweetish 

 taste, and a neutral reaction ; it is soluble in alcohol, chloroform, 

 liquid hydrocarbons, fixed and volatile oils, and dissolves in ten 

 volumes of water. Specific gravity is 0.716 at 25 C. (77 F.); 

 boiling-point 35 C. (95 F.). It is easily combustible and burns 

 with a luminous flame. When inhaled, it causes intoxication and 

 then loss of consciousness and sensation. The great volatility and 

 combustibility of ether necessitate special care in the handling of this 

 substance near fire or light. 



Spiritus cetheris and Spiritus cetheris compositus are mixtures of about one 

 part of ether and two parts of alcohol, 3 per cent, of certain ethereal oils being 

 added to the second preparation. 



Methyl ether, (CH 3 ) 2 0, is made from methyl alcohol and sulphuric acid. It 

 is a gas at ordinary temperature, but readily convertible by pressure or cold 

 into a mobile liquid. 



Methyl-ethyl ether, CH 3 .C 2 H5.0, is a mixed ether which can be prepared 

 by the action of ethyl iodide upon sodium methylate : 



C 2 H 6 I -f NaOCH 3 = Nal + C 2 H 5 .O.CH 3 . 



Methyl-ethyl ether is a colorless, highly volatile, and inflammable liquid of 

 peculiar odor; it boils at 11 C. (52 F.). It has been used as an anesthetic, 

 and for that purpose is sold in cylinders. 



Acetic ether, ^3ther aceticus, C 2 H 5 C 2 H.p 2 = 87.4 (Ethyl acetate). 

 Made by mixing dried sodium acetate with alcohol and sulphuric 

 acid, distilling and purifying the crude product by shaking with 

 calcium chloride and rectifying : 



C 2 H 5 OH + NaC 2 H 3 2 + H 2 SO 4 = C 2 H 5 C 2 H 3 O 2 + NaHSO 4 + H 2 O. 

 Ethyl Sodium Acetic ether. Sodium acid 



alcohol. acetate. sulphate. 



Experiment 61. Add to a mixture of 40 grammes of pure alcohol and 100 

 grammes of concentrated sulphuric acid 60 grammes of sodium acetate. In- 

 troduce this mixture into a boiling-flask, connect it with a Liebig's condenser 

 and distil about 50 c. c. Eedistil the liquid from a flask, as represented in Fig. 

 69, page 463. and collect the portion which passes over at a temperature of 

 IT C. (170 F.) ; it is nearly pure ethyl acetate. 



Acetic ether is a colorless, neutral, and mobile liquid, of a strong 

 ethereal and somewhat acetous odor, soluble in alcohol, ether, chloro- 

 form, etc., in all proportions, and in 7 parts of water. Specific 

 gravity 0.894. Boiling-point about 72 C. (161 F.). 



