CHEMISTEY OF THE LEUOOMAINES. 331 



floccules, which, under the microscope, appear as long, 

 sharp, plumose needles — distinction from diethylenediamine. 

 The aqueous solution of the base is precipitated by phos- 

 phomolybdic and phosphotungstic acids, tannic acid, gold 

 and platinum chlorides. It cannot be volatilized from 

 alkaline solution by steam without undergoing decomposi- 

 tion (Majeet and Schmidt). It is not poisonous. 



The hydrochloride, C2H5N.HCI (?), crystallizes in six- 

 sided prisms, united in tufts, and is extremely soluble in 

 water, almost insoluble in absolute alcohol and ether. 



'^J^he aurochloride, C2H5N.HCI.AUCI3 (?), forms shining, 

 golden-yellow, irregular plates, and when freshly precipi- 

 tated it is easily soluble in water, alcohol, and ether, but 

 the dried salt is incompletely soluble in water. The aque- 

 ous solution, treated with magnesium, gives off a sperm- 

 like odor. The platinochloride crystallizes in prisms. 



The phosphate, (C2H5N)2.IT3PO,-t-3H20(?), forms prisms 

 and slender double pyramids arranged in rosettes. It is 

 difficultly soluble in hot water, insoluble in alcohol, easily 

 soluble in dilute acids, alkalies, and alkali carbonates. It 

 melts with decomposition at about 170°. It is probable 

 that the above formula does not represent the salt as found, 

 and from theoretical considerations Ladenbueg was in- 

 clined to think that Scheeinee's phosphate had the com- 

 position (C2H5NH),Ca(PO,)2. 



Ladenbtjrg and Abel prepared in 1888 a compound, 

 ethyleneimine, which was first supposed to be isomeric with 

 spermine. The reaction whereby it is prepared is similar 

 to the one by which Ladenburg effected the synthesis of 

 piperidine. Ethylenediamine hydrochloride is subjected to 

 dry distillation, when it decomposes into ammonium 

 chloride and the hydrochloride of the new base. The re- 

 action was supposed to be represented by the equation : 



CH2NH2.HCI CH^. 

 1 = I >NH.HC1H-NH,C1. 



CH^NH^.HCl CH2 



Since then Ladenbueg has shown that the boiling-point 

 of tills compound did not agree with what it sliould be 



