4i HEPORT 1864. 



Quite in accordance with tlie formula is the fact that distillation with potash 

 gives much aniline and a residue of carbon. 



rNHC.H, ,Q„ 



<^Hnh&H +H.O = C, NHC,H,+2NC„H, 



(h ° ' '^ 



The group 



would, on maltreatment, be very likely to carbonize. 



A reaction which may be predicted is this. Careful treatment with alkali may 

 be expected to give aniline and glycolic acid. 



liote on the Prohahle Constitution of Kolbe and Schmitt's Colouring Matter 



obtained hy acting vjyon Carbolic Acid tvith Oxalic and Sidphuric Acids. 



By J. Alfred Wanklyn. 



The production of a colouring-matter by the action of oxalic acid upon phenyl- 

 alcohol in presence of sulphuric acid is a very remarkable thing. As yet no attempt 

 has been made to give any explanation of the changes which take place during this 

 process, and yet considerable quantities of a dye-stuff are now being made in France 

 in this manner. 



The following hypothesis may be offered to connect together the facts as they are 

 at present known. 



Kolbe and Schmitt give C^ H^ as the result of their analysis, state of conden- 

 sation being unknown. 



(CeH,0 



C.oH,,0,=cJgeH.O 



(ho 



The probable reaction in Kolbe and Schmitt's process is between carbonic oxide 

 and phenyl-alcohol, thus : — 



(C,H,0 



C,0,+3C,H,H0=cJg'=g=g+^^<^ 

 (Hb ' 

 The coloming-matter is thus an "ethylene." Kolbe and Schmitt have observed 

 that it is decolorized by means of nascent hydrogen. Explanation: — The ethylene 

 becomes a hydride of ethyl. 



As might have been expected, it is a weak acid. 



The obtaining of a blue dye from it by the action of aniline may possibly be by 

 this equation : — 



fC,H,0 H,C,H,N (C.H.CeH.N H,0 



p JC^H.O + H,C3H,N_c \C,H,C,H,N + H,0 

 C^iCeH.O H,C,H,N-'"OC,H,C,H,N H,0 



HO (HO 



On a curious Example of Etherijication. By J. Alfred "Wankltk. 

 Some years ago Frankland showed that iodide of ethyl and water yield hydriodic 

 acid and ether, on being exposed to the action of a temperature of 150° C. imder 

 pressure : 



2C,H,H-H,0 = (C,H,),0+2HI. 



I have recently observed a somewhat similar reaction which, however, takes place 

 at temperatures so low as 100° C. 



When rosaniline, iodide of ethyl, and alcohol are heated together to 100° C. for 

 about twelve hours, there is fonned, in addition to the iodide of ethyl-rosaniline, a 

 quantity of common ether. The production of this ether may be explained as 

 follows : — 



