112 Proceedings of the lloyal Irish Academy. 



EXPEEIMENTAL PaKT. 



Diaceto-orciTwl. 



CO . CH3 

 HO/\OH 



\/C0 . CH3 



CH3 



Orcinol diacetate was prepared by adding 20 cos. of acetyl chloride to 

 15 grams of orcinol in a round flask under a reflux condenser. When the 

 energetic reaction which set in had subsided, the flask was heated in an 

 oil-bath to 130' C. until the evolution of hydrochloric acid ceased. 



Diaceto-orciaol was obtained from the diacetate by adding 15 grams of 

 powdered anhydrous aluminium chloride to the cold diacetate, the temperature 

 of themixtui'e was then gradually raised to 160° C, and the heating continued 

 for four hours. The molten mass was cooled, cold water added gradually, 

 and finally some hydrochloric acid. The crystalline residue of diaceto-orciuol 

 was filtered, washed with water, and recrystallised several times from alcohol. 

 About 7 grams of diaceto-orcinol were obtained : — 



0-1709 substance gave 0-3955 CO^, and 0-0919 H,0 

 corresponding to C 63-11, H 5*97 

 CiiHijOj, requires C 63-46, H 576. 



Diaceto-orcinol crystallises from alcohol in coloiu-less needles which melt 

 at 93-5-94-5° C, are somewhat soluble in alcohol, and easily soluble in ether, 

 acetone, chloroform, or benzene. An alcoholic solution of the substance gives 

 a reddish-brown coloration with ferric chloride. 



Diaceto-orcinol-dimethylether. 



CO . CHs 

 CHsO/XOCHs 



\/C0 . CH3 

 CH3 



A solution of 6 grams of potash in 15 c.cs. of water was added to 5 grams 

 of diaceto-orcinol in a round flask. The mixture was heated on the water-bath 

 and 10 c.cs. of dimethyl sulphate were added in about three instalments, 

 the contents of the flask being Aigorously shaken during the reaction. 

 The liquid was then cooled, made slightly alkaline with potash, and the 

 yellowish oil which separated was extracted with ether. The ether solution 

 was washed with dilute potash, then with water, and dried over calcium 



