72 KEPORT— 1869. 



On the Oxidation of PJiospJiorus, and the Quantity of Phosphoric Acid ex- 

 creted hii the Kidne)/s in Connexion with Atmospheric Conditions*. By 

 Thomas'Moffat, M.D., F.E.A.S., F.G.S. 



On the Phosphorescence of the Sea and Ozone. 

 By T. Moffat, M.D., F.B.A.S., F.G.S. 



The results given in this paper are deduced from observations taken between the 

 lat. 58° and 71)° N., and long-. 0° E. and 67° W. 



It would appear that the phosphorescence of the sea takes place under the con- 

 ditions of the south or equatorial current of the atmosphere, and that there is a 

 connexion between periods of phosphorescence and ozone periods. 



On Aceto-sulphuric Acid. By A. Oppenheim, Ph.D. 



The subject of this note forms part of researches on the action of sulphuric 

 acid on organic chlorides "with which the author has been occupied for some 

 time. The mouochlorinated hydrocarbons generally exchange their chlorine for 

 HSO^. AVhen they are non-saturated, then either a second molecule of PLSOj is 

 added to the compound so formed, as is the case witli C3 H, CI, mouochlorinated 

 propylene, which forms C.^ 11,, (HSOJ,, decomposed by water into acetone and 

 sulphuric acid, or one molecule of sulphuric acid is added to the non-saturated chloride 

 without any separation of hydrochloric acid, as is the case with chloride of allyle. 

 The latter is thus transformed into C, Hg CI HSO^, which with water yields mo- 

 nochlorhydrine of propylic glycol. 



Hydrocarbons with more than one atom of chlorine are generally decomposed 

 entirely, and carbonized by the action of suli^huric acid. The chlorobenzole, 

 CpH- CHCl,, however, is entirely and easily transformed into Cgll, CH (JISO,),, 

 which with water jdeld the theoretical quantity of oil of bitter almonds. Most 

 oxygenated chlorides are very easily attacked by sulphuric acid. They either 

 combine directly, as does epichlorhydrine, or they yield hydrochloric acid, as is the 

 case with the chlorhydrine of glycol, C^ 11, CI Oil, which thus forms the acid 

 Cj n ,0H SO4, formerly obtained in a ditierent way by Dr. Maxwell Simpson. 

 The chlorides of acid radicals, such as chloride of acetyle or of benzoyl, give very 

 energetic reactions as sulphuric acid, streams of hydrochloric acid being evolved 

 as soon as the two stibstances are brought into contact. It appears probable at 

 first sight that the results of this reaction are the t^\ anhydrides of the acetic and 

 the sulphmic acids, according to the equation 



2 C, II3 OCl + II, SO, = C, H,0 j o^go^ ^ , jj(.. 



Such is, however, not the case ; one molecule of each substance entering into the 

 reaction thus, 



C2 II3 OCl + H2 SO, = HCl -\- G, H„ SO,PI. 



The resulting substance is half anhydride, half acid. The aceto-sulphuric acid or 

 acid anhydride is decomposed at about 180"C., and cannot therefore be distilled. 

 "Water decomposes it into the two acids. 



In following out these researches, the author intends to study the action of sul- 

 phuric acid on other oxygenated and nitrogenized chlorides. 



On Bromo-iodide of Mercw'y . By A.. Ovves'sei'h, Ph.D. 



Iodide of allyle and bichloride of mercury', when mixed in alcoholic or ethereal 

 solutions, form at once a red precipitate of" iodide of mercury, while the iodide of 

 allyle is transformed into the ililoride. When bibroniide of n'lercury is substituted 

 for the bichloride the reaction is somewhat changed. No iodide of mercury is then 

 precipitated, but in course of time yellow crystals separate out, which are parti- 

 cularly fine, when acetone is taken "for dissolving the two substances brought into 

 Published in the 'Chemical News,' Oct. 1, 1869. 



