September 1, 1911] 



SCIENCE 



287 



thanum, cerium, praseodymium and neodymium 

 were separated from the series as soon as they 

 were freed from all samarium. The larger portion 

 of the samarium was gradually removed by a 

 great number of crystallizations. At this point 

 the fractions were transferred to porcelain cas- 

 eroles covered with watch glasses, and the nitric 

 acid, used as a solvent, was increased from thirty 

 to fifty per cent. 



• As the work proceeded, the europium band was 

 observed to become stronger in the fractions be- 

 tween samarium and gadolinium. After many 

 ligatures, these middle fractions were found to 

 contain only europium. These portions were dis- 

 solved in water, saturated with hydrogen sulphide, 

 and the clear filtrate was treated with oxalic acid. 

 The europium oxalate was then washed, dried, and 

 stored for the study of its compounds. 



DIVISION OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 



Geo. B. Frankforter, chairman 



Wm. J. Hale, secretary 



Derivatives of IsocampJiorio Acid: W. A. Noyes 



and W. T. Murdock. 

 Lanironolic Acid and Other Compounds of the 

 Lauronolic Series: W. A. Noyes, O. E. Burke 

 and E. S. Potter. 

 Decomposition of Nitroso Compounds in the Pres- 

 ence of Alcohols: "W. A. Noyes and J. A. Coss. 



The Acyl Derivatives of 0-amino Thiophenol: 

 S. H. Eansom and L. D. Hammond. 

 The dibenzoyl derivative has been made and 



analyzed. The diacyl derivatives, in which the 



acyl groups CcHjCO and 



/NOa 

 CeH/ m, 



were introduced in reverse order, have been made 

 but not sufficiently purified for analysis. The 

 saponification products of both appear to be the 

 same, though the monoacyl derivative has not 

 been identified with certainty. 



The diacyl derivatives, in which the acyl groups, 

 CeHjCO and COOC2H5, were introduced in reverse 

 order, have been made and one of them purified 

 and analyzed. The saponification products appear 

 to be the same, i. e., benzoic acid and an oil of 

 characteristic disagreeable odor. OU not yet puri- 

 fied, though it has the properties of a monoacyl 

 urethane. 



Likewise there have been introduced, in reverse 

 order, the groups 



C\H, 



CO 



and COOC2H5, but these derivatives have not been 

 wholly purified. The saponification products ap- 

 pear to be identical, and the monoacyl derivative 

 the disagreeable smelling oil above mentioned. 

 The anhydro base 



QH,^ Vj-CsHiNOj 



has been prepared and analyzed and a substance 

 having the composition of the substance 



CjH,^ 



< >C^0C,H5 



though this may be the disulphid due to oxidation 

 of the mercaptan hydrogen. 



The work wiU be extended and completed. 



Ethyl Cyantartronate and its Addition Reactions 

 with Amines: Richard S. Curtiss and L. F. 



NlCKELL. 



In previous reports we have shown that the 

 keto group of the oxomalonic esters, = C = 

 (fcOOE),, forms intermediate addition products 

 with strongly basic substances as ammonia, and its 

 substituted derivatives; with neutral compounds 

 like the alcohols; and even with strongly negative 

 molecules as the haloid acids. In continuation of 

 this series of studies we have tried the action of 

 hydrogen cyanide on ethyl oxomalonate. 



The work was carried out at low temperatures 

 with rigorous exclusion of moisture. The reaction 

 proceeds with gradual loss in color of the green 

 oxomalonate. The product is a colorless, unstable 

 oil of the consistency of concentrated sulphuric 

 acid. It slowly decomposes in the moisture of the 

 air, giving off hydrogen cyanide. 



This oil reacts vigorously with dry ammonia gas, 

 giving a red resinous substance. The reaction 

 carried out, however, with one molecule of the gas,, 

 in dry ether solution in a freezing mixture gives a 

 white crystalline compound. Owing to its great 

 instability this substance can hardly be kept long 

 enough for an analysis. 



The less volatile benzyl amine under similar 

 conditions gives a white, crystalline compound of 

 greater stability. The analysis corresponds to the 

 following formula: 



HO— C : (COOCH,), 



HN 

 HN 



=c/ 



CH, — C,H, 



