Ryan and Algar. — On Unsaturated 0- Dike tones.— II. ll 



of sodium was removed by addition of moist ether; and the greater part of the 

 dark red solid was dissolved in water. The ether solution was separated ; and 

 the alkaline residue was mixed with chloroform, and strongly acidified with 

 hydrochloric acid. The chloroform solution was separated, and on evaporation 

 left a residue which crystallized from diluted alcohol in light yellow needles, 

 melting at 70° C. 



An alcoholic solution of the substance gave a dark red colour with ferric 

 chloride. 



The yield was 15 grms. 



0-2068 grm. substance gave 0'5103 grin. C0 2) and 0'0964 grm. H 2 0, 

 corresponding to C 67'29, H 5'2. 



C 13 H 12 4 requires C 67-2, H 5-2. 



Methyl- cinnamyl-pyruvate crystallizes in light yellow acicular prisms 

 which are readily soluble in chloroform, ether, or benzene; insoluble in water 

 or ligroin. Its alcoholic solution is yellow in colour and has a greenish 

 fluorescence. A solution of it in aqueous potash has a yellow colour. 

 Concentrated sulphuric acid dissolves the crystals, forming an orange-coloured 

 solution. 



When mordanted wool is boiled in a solution of the substance in dilute 

 alcohol, the wool is dyed, the colour varying according to the mordant used. 

 The following colours were obtained : — 



Mordant. Colour of wool. 



Aluminium Sulphate. Orange-yellow. 



Potassium Dichromate. Eusset-brown. 



Ferric Sulphate. Eeddish-brown. 



Cinnamyl-pyruvic acid, C 6 H 5 . CH : OH . CO . CH 2 . CO . COOH. 



This compound was obtained in small quantity as a by-product in the 

 preparation of the corresponding ester. It was also prepared in the following 

 manner : — 



116 grms. of methyl cinnamyl-pyruvate was dissolved in 20 c.cs. semi- 

 normal potash, and let stand at the ordinary temperature for 24 hours. 

 The orange-coloured solution was shaken with ether ; and the aqueous layer 

 was acidified. The solid which separated was extracted with ether ; and the 

 ether solution was well shaken with dilute sodium carbonate several times. 

 On acidifying the sodium carbonate solution a yellow precipitate was obtained, 

 which was extracted with ether and recrystallized from dilute alcohol. It 

 melted at 139°-140° C. 



[on 



