EEXAMETHYLENEDIAMIN. 279 



with platinum chlorid, which precipitated the greater part of the 

 cadaverin. The mother-liquor, on concentration, yielded a mixture 

 of the platinochlorids of cadaverin and saprin. Each successive 

 crop contained more of the saprin double salt. The two kinds of 

 crystals were now separated by means of a magnifying glass. The 

 saprin platinochlorid thus obtained was finally purified by repeated 

 recrystallization from water. The mother-liquor, after the removal 

 of the saprin platinochlorid, contains the mydalein salt, which on ac- 

 count of its solubility in water, crystallizes only on concentration, or 

 on standing under a desiccator. The mercuric chlorid filtrate con- 

 tains some mydalein and the ptomain, which yields a platinochlorid 

 containing 28.40 per cent, platinum. 



The free base is a diamin, and was first ascribed the formula 

 CjHjgNj. It appears, however, to be isomeric with cadaverin and 

 neuridin. The term saprin is derived from the Greek aanpo^:, signi- 

 fying putrid. It possesses a weak pyridin-like odor, and can be dis- 

 tilled with steam or with potassium hydrate without undergoing 

 decomposition. In its reactions it behaves the same as cadaverin, 

 except that it gives an amorphous precipitate with potassium bis- 

 muth iodid, whereas cadaverin gives a crystalline precipitate. The 

 free base gives an immediate intense blue color with ferric chlorid 

 and potassium ferricyanid. 



The hydrochlorid, C5Hj^N2.2HCl, forms flat needles which are not 

 hygroscopic (distinction from cadaverin hydrochlorid). Its reactions 

 are the same as those of cadaverin hydrochlorid. (See Table I.) It 

 is, however, tinged slightly blue by a mixture of ferric chlorid and 

 potassium ferricyanid, whereas the free base gives an intense blue. 

 It differs from cadaverin in that it does not give the reddish-brown 

 color with potassium bichromate and sulphuric acid. Again, it forms 

 no aurochlorid ; while, on the other hand, cadaverin hydrochlorid 

 yields an easily soluble salt, crystallizing in splendid needles. 



The platinochlorid, C5Hj^Njj.2HCl.PtCl^ forms parallel, aggre- 

 gated, pointed crystals, which are somewhat soluble in water, and 

 are thus distinguished from cadaverin platinochlorid, which crystal- 

 lizes in rhombs, and is difiBcultly soluble in water. 



Physiologically, it is indifferent. 



Hexametbylenediamin, C^Hj^Nj. — This compound was found by 

 Garcia in decomposing meat and pancreas mixture, seven days at 

 30°, by the benzoyl chlorid method, together with cadaverin and 

 putrescin. The dibenzoyl-putrescin is removed in the usual way 

 by precipitating the alcoholic solution of the mixed benzoyl diamins 

 with ether. The separation of cadaverin from the new compound is 

 more difficult owing to the great similarity in the solubilities of the 

 two compounds. Garcia succeeded in effecting a separation by dis- 

 solving the mixture in alcohol, and raising the temperature on a 



