CHEMISTRY OF THE PTOMAINES. 227 



\NH 



Guanidine, NH = C 



Methyl-guanidine forms a colorless, easily deliquescent 

 mass possessing a strong alkaline reaction. On heating 

 with potassium hydrate it decomposes, and yields ammonia 

 and methylamine. It is a highly poisonous base. 



The Hydrochloride, C2EI7N3.HCI, can be obtained 

 from the pierate by dissolving the latter in water acidulated 

 with hydrochloric acid, and extracting the solution with 

 ether to remove the picric acid. The colorless aqueous 

 solution now, on evaporation, yields a thin syrup which 

 crystallizes in vacuum to compact prisms. These are in- 

 soluble in alcohol, and give with platinum chloride a double 

 salt of monoclinic needles (Haushofer) which are very 

 easily soluble (1 part in about 7 parts water, Tatarinow). 



The AuROCHLORiDE, CjHyNj.HCl.AuClg (Au = 47.71 

 per cent.) forms rhombic crystals (HaushoPer) which are 

 easily soluble in ether, more difficultly in water or alcohol ; 

 readily soluble (Brieger). It readily decomposes on heat- 

 ing in pure water, but may be recrystallized from water 

 acidulated with hydrochloric acid. It melts at 198°. 



The PiCRATE, C2H7N3.C8H2(N02)30H, comes down at 

 first as a resinous precipitate, which when boiled witli much 

 water solidifies in the form of felted needles, It is very 

 difficultly soluble in water, and can be purified by repeated 

 recrystallization from boiling absolute alcohol — distinction 

 from cadaverine. It melts at 192°. 



The Oxalate, (C2H7N3)2.H2C20,+2H20, forms crystals 

 which are easily soluble in water. 



Physiological Action. — Methyl-guanidine as obtained 

 from putrefying flesh is identical in its physiological 

 action with the synthetic base. It has already been stated 

 that the non-poisonous creatine is readily converted into the 

 relatively energetic poison creatinine. The latter substance 

 possesses a paralyzing action differing very much from its 



