ARTICLE VL 



On the Perchlorate of the Oxide ofEthule or Perchloric Ether. By Clark Hare 

 and Martin H. Boye. Read December 4, 1840. 



The energetic properties of perchloric acid, and its stability, compared with 

 the other compounds of chlorine with oxygen, led us to the belief that this acid 

 might be combined with the substance which performs the part of a base in 

 that class of organic salts which are generally designated by the name of ethers, 

 and for which Berzelius, in consequence of his theoretical views, has adopted 

 the name of oxide of ethule. For this purpose a concentrated solution of per- 

 chlorate and sulphovinate of barytes, in equivalent proportions, was subjected 

 to distillation. The sulphovinate of barytes may be considered as a double 

 sulphate of barytes and the oxide of ethule; and we anticipated that, when heat 

 was applied, a double decomposition would take place between the latter and 

 the perchlorate of barytes. So long as the salts remained in solution no reac- 

 tion occurred, but as soon as they became solid in consequence of the distilla- 

 tion of the water, a reciprocal decomposition ensued, and a sweet ethereal 

 liquid distilled into the receiver. This liquid is the perchlorate of the oxide of 

 ethule. 



As this substance is extremely explosive, in order to prepare it with safety it 

 is necessary to operate on small quantities. We have employed from seventy to 

 ninety grains of crystallized sulphovinate of barytes, with an equivalent propor- 

 tion of perchlorate of barytes*; but we would recommend, especially on the first 



* The amount of barytes in the perchlorate should be ascertained by an experiment, as it retains 

 Water with great tenacity. It may be worth while to mention, that the perchlorate of potassa can- 

 VIII. — T 



