Hydride of Bensoyle. ~ /_ .-v 527 



Combustions of this substance were made with the following 

 results : — - ' . •< 



I. -327 grin, of substance gave "926 grm. of €0 2 and -2265 

 grm. ofH 2 G. 



II. -2725 grm. of substance gave '7755 grm. of GO 2 and 

 •189 grm. of H 2 0. 



These numbers correspond to the following percentages : — 





I. 



II. 



Theory 

 (€7H 8 6). 



Carbon . . 



. . 77-51 



77-61 



77-78 



Hydrogen 



. . 7-69 



7-70 



7-41 



Oxygen . . 



. . 14-80 



14-69 



14-81 





100-00 



100-00 



100-00 



Although the formula of benzoic alcohol, C 7 H 8 0, corresponds 

 so closely with these analytical results, it is scarcely probable that 

 it accurately represents the atomic weight of the new body, which 

 I am inclined to think stands in much the same relation to the 

 true alcohol as benzoine, € 14 H 12 O 2 , does to the true aldehyde. 

 On this supposition of a doubled formula, I propose to name the 

 new substance provisionally dicresole. No definite compounds 

 have as yet been obtained from it ; so that it3 true character and 

 position remain undecided. 



Dicresole is insoluble in cold water, but it dissolves sparingly 

 in boiling water, a small quantity of pearly scales being precipi- 

 tated as the liquid cools. It is more soluble in boiling ether, 

 and is very easily dissolved by hot alcohol. It is also soluble io 

 benzole. The presence of benzoic alcohol, of a trace even, renders 

 dicresole far more soluble, and prevents its crystallization. 



Dicresole dissolves in sulphuric acid with a deep green colour. 

 Ebullition with nitric acid converts dicresole partly into nitro- 

 benzoic acid, and partly into a yellow nitro-substitution product. 

 Heated for some time with strong potash solution, a portion 

 appears to dissolve, but without colour, while the larger part of 

 the dicresole remains unchanged. 



Dicresole dissolved in naphtha and boiled with potassium 

 disengages hydrogen, with the formation of a red compound,- 

 the reaction is, however, incomplete and unsatisfactory. 



Dicresole melts at or near 129° C, and, on cooling, often 

 remains liquid till the thermometer has fallen to 70° C. It boils 

 at a very high temperature, and cannot be distilled without par- 

 tial decomposition. The sublimed substance is deposited in the 

 form of complex volutes of great beauty. Dicresole crystallizes 

 so imperfectly from its various solvents, that I have been unable 

 to determine to what crystalline system it belongs. I regret 

 that its chemical properties have not afforded me any means of 



2N2 



