110 Messrs Fenton & Ryffel, Isomeric esters of dioxymaleic acid. 



has the anhydrous form, i.e. dioxosuccinic ester. Another modifi- 

 cation of the dioxymaleic ester has also been prepared which 

 appears to be quite stable under the circumstances above men- 

 tioned, and it is considered probable that they represent the 

 maleic and fumaric forms respectively. 



Note on the constitution of cellulose. By H. J. H. Fenton, 

 M.A., and Miss Mildred Gostling. 



[Read 18 February 1901.] 



Certain carbohydrates when acted upon by dry hydrogen 

 bromide in etherial solution at the ordinary temperature yield an 

 intense purple colour which was shewn to be due to brom-methyl- 

 furfural. This substance has been isolated in the crystalline state, 

 and it was further demonstrated that its production is characteristic 

 of ketohexoses or of substances which give rise to these on hydro- 

 lysis. Carbohydrates of the aldose type yield none of this product. 

 Exactly similar results have been obtained by operating in other 

 solvents at 100°, and under the latter condition it is found that all 

 forms of cellulose give large yields of brom-methylfurfural and it 

 is concluded that the results definitely indicate the existence of a 

 ketonic nucleus in cellulose. 



