9. Preliminary Note on Sodiumdiacetamide, 
eee > N.Na. 
By Jirpnpra Nata RaksuIT. 
Although the preparation of metallic derivatives of the 
acid amides has now and then been attempted, the isolation of 
these has only been effected in a few cases. Curtius (Ber. 1891, 
23, 3037) isolated several sodium derivatives of the amides of 
aromatic acids. He tried the action of metallic sodium directly 
on acetamide and obtained ammonia as an evolved gas; but 
he failed to isolate the sodium derivative of diacetamide, the 
formation of which he mentions as doubtful. Diacetamide was 
prepared later by Car! Blacher (Ber., 1895, 28, 432) by the 
action of alcoholic solution of sodium ethoxide on the crude 
sodium derivative suspected by Curtius. Thus he indirectly 
proved the existence of sodium diacetamide although the com- 
pound has not been isolated up to this time. 
Method of Preparation.—Acetamide (purified by recrystal- 
lization from benzene), anhydrous thiophene-free benzene, an 
freshly-cut metallic sodium were boiled under a reflux conden- 
which settle on the crust can be easily poured out with the 
benzene and filtered with the aid of the pump. The trace of 
substance to be sodium diacetamide NaN(CO.CH,),. 0°2602 
grm. substance gave 01483 Na SO, : p. ce. of Na found = 18°45; 
that caculated from the theory being 18°69. 
I am at present engaged in preparing other derivatives of 
like nature and studying the action on them of alkyl and acyl 
halides. 
CHEMICAL LABORATORY, 
Presidency College, Calcutia. 
