4^. ACEtic Acre. 



Arj experlmeat To ibar oonces of pure concentrated radical vinegar (ex« 

 made, favour- traded from cryftals of copper by heat alone) were added by 

 mVopinionf' ^^gi'^ss four ounces of femi-vitreous oxide of lead (litharge) 

 in powder J which compieatly diflblved in it by heat, there 

 €ven remained an excefs of acid, perceptible in the ftrong 

 odour of the foiution. Being laid by to cool, it produced a 

 very irregular cryllalline raafs. 



Four ounces of this mafs of acetic lead, mixed with an equal 

 quantity of fulphate of copper dried, were treated in a con- 

 venient apparatus. The acetic acid produced had an odour 

 more penetrating and agreeable : but all the other phenort)ena 

 were the fame as with the acetate of lead ; that is to fay, there 

 was an equal developement of carbonic and fulphurous acids, 

 and charcoal was found in the refidue. 



Which determined the reporters to conclude, 

 The reporters 1. That acetic acid formed by the diftillation of a mixture of 



conclude that fulphate of copper and acetate of lead, is always mixed with 

 this aceuc ac.d ' /^ m i mi j 



is always mixed fulphurous acid, which does not become perceptible Imtpwards 

 with fulphurous tiie end of the diftillation. 



of which it can- 2. That it cannot be compleatly deprived of this fulphurous 

 not be freed ea- acid by the rectification propofed by M. Debuc. 

 tuc'sprccefs-^' 3. That (he acid itfelf, totally deprived of the fulphurous 

 and never has fo acid, is never of fo lively and agreeable an odour, as that drawn 

 IdouTVSie ^^^^ ^''^ cryllals of the acetate of copper, 

 common kind. 4. That it is preferable to dry the fulphate of copper before It 

 is ufed. 



5. That MM. Boddolier and Darac, were mtftaken in 

 fuppofing, that i)o carbonic acid was obtained in this ope- 

 ration. 



6. Finally that the produ6lion of carbonic acid does not any 

 more prove the decarbonifation of the acetous acid in becoming 

 the acetic, than the fulphurous acid proves the fuperoxige- 



The difference nation of the vineg^ ; but on the contrary that it is allowable 

 of acetous and j^, conclude, that the diflference of thefe tvvo fubftances is not 

 Sy d^ocs nJt** caufed by their fiate of acidification, 



depend on the 

 flate of their 

 acidification* 



Account 



