132 Scientific Intelligence. 
A solution of caustic potash dissolves nitro-ethan, which Rte: 
to possess weak acid properties. Sodium atta cks it with evolu- 
tion of gas and formats on of a white powder, which exphodile on 
eating. The authors promise a further investigation of this very 
interesting — —Berichte der Deutschen Chem. ae Jahr- 
gang Vv, p. 3 
Note. Me it not possible that in the \ es ondacwintly> stable 
double salts of cobalt, iridium and rhodium, having respectively 
the formulas, €o,(N G2) sos, fr4(NO2) 0K and Rh,(N®,),2 
K,, the nitrous atom is (0,N—) and not (—~O—N®)? > w. G.] 
3. e reduction of glutanic acid by iodhydrie acid.—The 
seacectian of Ritthausen have rendered it probable that glutanic 
Wes 
by 
pure glutamic acid, ©,H,N®,, was = converted into glutani¢ 
acid by the action of nitrous acid, e glutanic acid obtained in 
this manner, €,H,O,, was then ped in a sealed tube with a 
into desoxy-glutanic iar oe The new acid is ee basic, 
orms large crystals which belong to the monoclinic bre: and 
is easily soluble i in water. The formula of this acid is the same as 
of them yield pyrotartaric acid b —— uction.— Journal fir prakt 
Chemie, "Ne Velgd Band 5, p. 3 33 ot wa 
an aldehyd-alcohol. rah has obtained a aes * poly- 
mer of aldehyd, ane the formula €,H,©,, to which he gives 
the name of aldol. is a perfectly colorless liquid, which after 
cooling becomes thick like a pure solution of sugar. It is so viscid 
at. 0° that the tube containing it may be inverted without any flow 
of liquid. When gently heated, it becomes as fluid as water, but 
it regains its viscid character only some hours after cooling. 1ts 
density at 0° is 11208: it has a strong serene and bitter taste, 
and mixes in all proportions with water and aleo When heated 
to 135°, aldol is resolved mu crotonic shiclivd sid water: 
€ HO, =O 8 ,O-+0H,. 
Aldol reduces se nitrate aie cupropotassic sulphate. When 
heated for some days with anhydrous acetic acid, aldol forms aD 
acetate havi Sait the formula €,H,0(€,H,®,) ; ‘and a diacetate 
having the formula €,H,(€, H,0 ©) 05 which may be regarded as 
the diacetate of crotonic aldehyd. — Nitric acid oxidizes aldol with 
es energy, forming severa Gritanil Y welll not yet descri 
hosphoric chloride also acts energetically an aldol, fo sf 
chloride which is Lae ierse €©,H,Cl,. This is a thick, colorless 
liquid almost impossible to purify. Wurtz pounidell aldol to have 
a constitution represented by the formula: 
€H,—€H(0H)-—€H,—€Ho. 
