382 M. O. Lea on Nitroglucose, 
of cellulose, failed almost wholly with sugar. Not more than 
two or three per cent of the weight of the sugar was obtained. 
ith sulphuric and strong nitric acids, allowed to cool thor- 
oughly after mixing, the reaction takes place easily, and a con- 
siderable quantity of nitroglucose is obtained. The nitric acid 
should be as strong as possible, and as the acid of the requisite 
strength is not easily obtained commercially, I have found an 
advantage in using in part the fuming sulphuric acid. Two 
fluid ounces of fuming sulphuric acid, two of common sulphuric, 
two of strong nitric acid, as near to 1°5 sp. gr. as can be ob- 
tained, give good results. The sugar is stirred in, in the form 
of powder, to a thin paste. The stirring is kept up, and as 
fast as the nitroglucose separates in doughy masses, it is re- 
moved with a spatula and thrown into cold water. A further 
addition of sugar will give more nitroglucose, but considerably 
less in proportion than the first addition. As soon as possible, 
the nitroglucose is to be kneaded up with cold water, to get 
the acid out. In one case, when this was neglected for ten or 
fifteen minutes, the nitroglucose passed to a greenish color and 
ao shes was undergoing a commencing decomposition. 
he removal of the adhering acid is much more difficult than 
in the case of pyroxylin, and is an extremely disagreeable ope- 
ration. The acid pervades the whole of the doughy mass so 
fully, that the fingers are stained and burned by it, nor can the 
whole of the acid be removed satisfactorily in this way. The 
best means I found was to dissolve the crude nitroglucose in a 
mixture of alcohol and ether, and then to pour this into @ 
large quantity of cold water with constant stirring, and violent 
agitation afterward. The method is not altogether satisfac- 
tory, and seems to be attended with some loss of material, 
though why, it is not easy to see. 
Prepared in this way, nitroglucose is a white lustrous body, 
which may either assume the doughy amorphous condition or 
the ine, and passes from one to the other with extreme 
ease. When first formed by the mixed acids, it always has the 
doughy form. That which I obtained by the use of nitric an 
sulph uric acid, was crystalline from the first. When precipit- 
preserving it ap ; to be under water. 
‘it gradually hardens, and passes sometimes 
_fard ar us mass, sometimes to 
ine state. It appears to be wholly insoluble in 
inute grains of the crystalline form diffused 
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