ÖFVERSIGT AF K. VETENSK.-AKAD. FÖRHANDLINGAR 1899, N:0 9. 933 



considered satisfactory, as his value was not arrived at directly 

 (vide his paper) as the above was, but by a roundabout calcu- 

 lation. A small variation in k has a great efFect on the value 

 of A, e. g. in the case of propyl acetate, if k is taken to be 

 0.00658 and 0.00280 instead of 0.006571 and 0.002822 respectively 

 the value of A is changed from 8586 (in the latter case) to 

 8680, an alteration of more than one per cent. 



The value of A for the esters of the same acid is seen to 

 be the same, the diflferences being within the limit of experimental 

 error, and also irregulär. In the case of esters of the same 

 alcohol A varies, as may be seen by comparing methyl acetate 

 and Propionate, and propyl acetate and forraate. 



How far this latter statement is true can only be proved 

 by further experiment. It is not strictly reliable to compare the 

 formates with the rest of the esters, as, like other first members 

 of a series, their physical properties do not fall into line with 

 the remaining members. The diflference between the values of A 

 for methyl propionate and methyl acetate is not verv great, but 

 at all event greater than the limit of experimental error. 



Pressure of other work prevented me carrying on further 

 experiments in this direction. 



When, however, they are continued, they must be done 

 according to the method of Hemptinnb and Löwenhbrz, so as 

 to obtain the greatest possible accuracy, as the dilFerences which 

 exist are probably only small. 



It is well knovvn that neutral salts increase the rate of 

 saponification, and Arrhenius (Zeit. f. Phys. Chem. 4. 226) 

 remarks that the temperature appears to have very little influence 

 on their action. Incidentally this was proved by the following 

 experiments, the value of A remaining nearly the same in the 

 presence of sodium chloride, as otherwise. 



Öfvers. af K Vef.-Akad. Förh. 1899. Arg. 56. N:o 



