66 Scientific Intelligence. 
oxide. MnO, prepared by calcining the nitrate contains more 
oxygen than the formula requires. Ferric oxide obtained from 
gives for lead an atomic weight of 207°2; while that obtained by 
calcining the carbonate in nitrogen, contains less oxygen. The 
same differences are observed with cadmium, pe and Sophy 
oxide.— Bull. Soc. Ch., Il, xxxix, 257, 263, Mch. 1 
2. On Platinized Magnesium as a Reducing ‘Avent —Baio 
called attention to the fact that magnesium, which has vaintely 
no action upon pure water, decomposes this liquid rapidly wit 
the evolution of hydrogen ‘and the e production of magnesium oe 
e 
drate, on the addition of a few drops of rdatinie chloride. 
therefore recommends platinized magnesium as a reducing agent. 
1883, 
3. On a New Synthesis of Anthracene.—In the hope of produc 
ing an isomeric tetraphenylethane, Anscatrz and Enrzp 
studied the action of aluminum chloride upon Geirabioniae ‘of 
acetylene dissolved in benzene. From the products of the reac- 
tion, a hydrocarbon was easily isolated, Pome se soluble in the 
ordinary solvents, which instead of the expected tetraphenyleth- 
ane proved to be anthracene. The reaction may be represented 
as follows :— 
So ae OE ORS: | 
CH: AAR Br a Hy: xe H=C,H, See C,H,+(HBr), 
The importance ms this apnthenia is evident. In the first place it 
affords the first experimental evidence for the assumption gener- 
ally made that the middle carbon atoms in anthracene are directly 
united. And in the second, it is the first aluminum chloride reac- 
tion in which a single ; heeenn? molecule gives up two hyaione) 
atoms to unite with a eee residue.— Ber. Be Se hi 
Ges., xvi, 623, Apri ‘ 
n the Preparation ‘of Acetol from Sugar. hoor is “the 
alcohol ‘of acetone. EmMERtine and Locxs have prepared it ee 
both dextrose aia eschatiane: Anhydrous dextrose is fused in 
retort and half its weight of caustic potash added in small piso 
With active evolution of empyreumatic fumes, a liquid distilled 
over which hires Fehling’s solution in the cold. On fractioning, 
a combustible liquid was obtained boiling at 80°. But the dehy- 
drating ties ‘ difficult ; so that the presence of the acetol was 
‘ 
