16. Methylamine Nitrite (Methylammonium Nitrite). 
By PraruLLta CHanpra Ray and JiTeENDRA Natu RaksairT. 
(Preliminary note.) 
When mercuric hitritie solution is treated with dilute 
f ; 
Chem. Soc. 1902, Vol. 81, 644). Recently, a solution of mer- 
curic nitrite was similarly treated with dilute methylamine. 
The precipitate which was thus obtained proved on analysis to 
be dimercurammonium nitrite, pure and simple.’ The filtrate, 
amounting to about 25 c.c., was distilled in a vacuum at tem- 
peratures gradually raised from 45°—50°, (Cf. decomposition 
and sublimation of ammonium nitrite, Trans., Chem. Soc. 1909, 
Vol. 95, 345). 
In the earlier stages of the operation water distilled off 
with minute bubbles of nitrogen; but later on the ‘click ”’ 
remained persistent and water alone was given off. When the 
solution had attained the consistency of a thick syrup the 
temperature was raised . ae Degen bubbles once more began 
to be evolved. This maintained from 3 to 4 hours, 
after which on fees of ‘the “distilling tube from the water-bath, 
the liquid crystallised en masse. On heating the crystals to 
75° rapid decomposition took place, the products being methyl! 
alcohol, span oe and nitrogen—the characteristic reaction 
between a primary amine and nitrous acid. The crystals 
which were of a pale yellow colour also copiously liberated 
iodine from an acidified potassium iodide solution 
e are at present engaged in preparing the homologues of 
the series by the above method and also by the double decom- 
position between the mabe aetna methylamine halides and 
silver nitrite. We hope to communicate the details of the 
experiments at an early date. It may added for the 
present that by this latter method we have obtained a much 
larger and purer yield of methylamine nitrite. 
1 The following two equations evidently represent the two reac- 
on 
a) 2Hg (NOojg+4 NH, OH=NHg, NO. +3 NH, NO: +4 HO. 
(2) 2He ee CH,OH=NHg, NO)+3 NH; CH; NO, 
+ CH,0H +3H 
