Chemistry and Physics. 65 
. On the existence of an inferior Homologue of Benzol.— 
Kekulé’s theory of the hexacarbon nucleus of aromatic compounds 
forbids the existence of an inferior homologue of benzol. The an- 
d be at once determined. 
OMMIER has submitted, therefore, the lightest products of coal- 
tar to examination, with a view of detecting pentene. The first 
product isolated was a small quantity of an oil boiling between 
40° and 50°, which had the density of water and consisted of 
nearly pure carbon disulphide. A second product, boiling from 
58° to 62°—pentene, according to Carius, boiling at 60°-~after 
the separation of the CS,, was nitrated, and yielded a compound 
identical with binitrobenzol. Pentene has no existence in coal-tar, 
therefore.——_Bull. Soc. Ch., Wl, xviii, 70, July 15, 1872. GF. B. 
é n the Synthesis of Orcin.—Orcin, discovered by Robiquet 
in 1829, is the basis of the coloring matter of lichens. a a 
3 
homologue of resorcin, and has the formula C, H, fe 
yielded a thick brown liquid containing two isomeric aci 
named respectively a and / chlorocresylsulphurous acids. They 
were separated by the greater solubility of the barium salt of the 
latter. The a chlorocresylsulphite of potassium obtained from 
the barium salt, was fused in a silver capsule with twice its weight 
of potassium hydrate. Hydrogen was disengaged, and, after 
i 
ether to dissolve the orcin. After removal of the ether by dis- 
e 
Stance of well-known molecular weight, as 18 mgr. ' water, or 
better 119.5 mgr. of chloroform, and in the other a quantity of the 
Am. Jour. Sct.—Turep Series, Vor. V, No. 25.—Jan., 1878. 
5 
