Ryan & Kenny — Action of Oxides of Nitrogen on Diphenylethi/leneether. 311 



2-10-Dinitrodip'henylethyleneether crystallises from alcohol in the form of 

 rectangular prisms. It is sparingly soluble in cold alcohol, but readily soluble 

 in warm alcohol or acetone. 



SuMMjVRY. 



1. By the action of phenylbrometliylether on 2-nitrophenol and 4-nitro- 

 phenol, 2- and 4-nitrodiphenylethyleneether were obtained. These melted 

 respectively at 97° 0. and 86° C. In a similar manner 2-10-dinitrodiphenyl- 

 ethyleneether, melting at 117-5° C, Avas prepared. 



2. Concentrated nitric acid converted 2-nitro- as well as 2-8-dinitrodiphenyl- 

 ethyleneether into 2-4-8-ti4nitrodiphenylethyleneether, melting at 172° C. The 

 latter substance, and also 4-10-dinitrodiplienylethyleneether, were in turn 

 converted into 2-4-810-tetranitrodiphenylethyleneether, which melted at 214° C. 



Attempts to nitrate the tetranitro ether still further led to its decomposition 

 into 2-4-dinitrophenol and oxalic acid. 



3. Nitrogen peroxide in the vapour phase acted slowly on the ether, forming 

 4-10-dinitrodiphenylethyleneether and an oil containing a very small amount 

 of an explosive solid, melting and exploding at 203° C. 



In carbon tetrachloride solution nitrogen peroxide converted the ether into 

 its 4-10-dinitro derivative and 2-4-dinitrophenol. 



4. Nitric acid in dilute acetic acid solution had no appreciable action on 

 the ether, but in carbon tetrachloride solution 4-10-dinitro- and 2-4-8-10-tetranitro- 

 diphenylethyleneether, with oxalic acid and 2-4-diuitrophenol, were formed. 



In conclusion we wish to state that the above research was undertaken at 

 the request of the Eesearch Section of Nobel's Explosives Company, to whom 

 we are indebted for a grant in aid of the investigation. 



