' . 



198 Relation of the Chemical Composition of Bodies to Taste, 



gested, may the MiterTiess be ascribed to this form. 7 

 This, however, does not furnish an explanation of the remarka- 

 ble bitterness of the organic bases. 



H 



conception be entertained that the alkaloids have been derived 

 from the greater or less oxydation of bodies having the general 



constitution of the essential oils, and the replacement of three 

 atoms of water with one atom of ammonia for every atom of 

 nitrogen contained in the organic base. The corresponding re- 

 placement of ammonia with three atoms of water is not of un- 

 frequent occurrence in organic chemistry. 



Upon the speculation that this has been the derivation of the 

 alkaloids, it will be easy to convert them into the essential oils 

 from which they were derived. -If we halve the formula of the 

 oilj the first of Heldt's formulae gives 



(C5H4)n_Hx+Ox=R. 



A certain number of atoms of hydrogen deducted from, and an 

 equal number of atoms of oxygen added to, n times C5H4 con- 



Liebig's Arm., kvi, 125 ; Pbarm. Contr., 1848, 930. 



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stitute the resin. If, in adding nitrogen, we deduct for each atom ^ 



of nitrogen three atoms of oxygen, or, which is the same thing, 

 for each atom of ammonia (NHa) added, deduct three atoms of 

 water, we have an organic body containing G, H, N and O, a 

 body corresponding in constitution with an alkaloid. 



By reversing this process, we may convert the alkaloid into its 



corresponding essential oil. 



Take for example Papaverin, one of the alkaloids of opium, 

 analyzed by Merck, C4 0H2 iNOa.* 



Three atoms of oxygen for the atom of nitrogen, united to the 

 eight atoms of oxygen, making eleven in all, correspond with 

 eleven atoms of hydrogen, whichj added to the twenty-one pres- 

 entj make thirty-two. 



C40H2lNO8-N^O8+H8+O3=C4oH29 + O3, 



which correspond with 



C40H32Z=(C5H4)9. 



There is doubt still resting upon the constitution of most of 

 the alkaloids. Of those considered as best established, the fol- 

 lowing examples will be sufficient for a practical illustration of 

 the above speculation. 



Thebain=C25Hi4N03:=C25H2o^(C5H4)^ 

 Furfurin =C3oHi2N206=C3oH24=(C5H4)6. 



Codein =C3 5H2oN05zi:C35H28— (C5H4)^ 



The formula (C5H4)«-Hx + Ox + Oy =R, is suited to the de- 

 rivation of Bebeerin. 



C35H20NO6 = C35H29 = (C5H4)7-fH. 



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