226  W. Gibbs on the action of Alkaline nitrites, etc. 
series of which urea is one of the products of decomposition 
in presence of water. 
Dialuric acid.—Pure colorless crystals of dialuric acid, ob- 
tained by boiling alloxantin with zinc-dust and small quantities 
of chlorhydric acid, were treated with potassic nitrite and acetic 
acid. Strong effervescence ensued and on cooling beautiful 
colorless prismatic crystals separated in abundance. After 
repeated recrystallizations the crystals were burnt with oxyd 
of copper. 
0°6984 gr. gave 0°2462 gr. water and 0°7694 gr. carbonic acid = 
30°27 per cent carbon and 3°91 per cent hydrogen. 
0°6730 gr. gave 189 c. c. nitrogen at —1° C, and 761°5™™ = 35°40 
per cent nitrogen. 
Calculated Found 
Carbon 4 30°38 30°27 
Hydrogen 6 3°80 3°91 
Nitrogen 4 35°40 35°40 
Oxygen 3 30°42 a 
100°00 
The results of these analyses agree perfectly with the formula, 
€,H,N,9,, of allantoin, with which the substance corresponds 
in all its properties. In the mother-liquor from the allantoin I 
detected no other organic body. It is therefore most proba- 
ble that the reaction resulting in the formation of allantoin from 
dialuric acid is expressed by the equation 
2€,H.N,0,+2N,0,—©,H.N,O,+4€0, +H, 0+2N0-+2N. 
I am not aware that allantoin has hitherto been obtained 
from dialuric acid. Murexid is not sensibly acted upon by the 
e nitrites in presence of acetic acid, even by long boiling. 
My investigation of the products of the action of nitrous acid 
upon uric acid and its derivatives was nearly completed when 
I became acquainted with the memoir of Sokoloff * upon the 
same subject. By the action of nitrous acid upon uric acid, 
Sokoloff obtained a new acid to which he has given the name of 
urinilic acid, and to which he ascribes the formula €,H,N,@-- 
I have not observed the formation of this acid, but will simply 
remark that the Russian chemist appears to have stu : 
the diversity of his results is easily accoun or, ine @ 
ference between the properties of urinilic and stryphnic acids 
4s too great to it even a suspicion of their identity. My 
* Zeitschrift fiir Chemie, Bd. v, p. 78 (3d Heft June, 1869.) 
