M . Linnemarm on Propylic Alcohol. 545 



limpid, insoluble in and lighter than water, and un attack able by- 

 concentrated solution of potash, or nitric acid. It burns with 

 a luminous flame, evolving white fumes of silicon. The analysis 

 and vapour- density were both found to agree with the formula 

 Si (€ 2 H 5 ) 4 . 



Linnemann* communicates the results of a series of experiments 

 on the transformation of bodies belonging to the acryle series into 

 bodies of the fatty acid series. Acroleine, for instance, he con- 

 verted into propylic alcohol. This was effected by adding an 

 aqueous solution of acroleine containing free acroleine to sodium- 

 amalgam diluted with mercury. No disengagement of gas 

 took place, but a smell of acrylic alcohol was perceived, which 

 ultimately, however, acquired greater similarity to that of amylic 

 alcohol. The alkaline liquid from this first treatment was then 

 treated several times successively with fresh amalgam, and the 

 resultant liquid mixed with chloride of calcium and distilled. To 

 this distillate chloride of calcium was added, on which a super- 

 natant liquid, amounting to about one-tenth of the acroleine 

 used, was separated. This was repeatedly rectified over chloride 

 of calcium and then fractionally distilled. About two-thirds 

 distilled over between 86° and 90°, and the rest between 90° and 

 100°. Of the fraction between 86° and 90° the boiling-point 

 was found to be constant at 87° to 88°. This had the composition 

 of propylic alcohol, and the boiling-point is also the same as that 

 found by Friedel for propylic alcohol prepared from acetonef. 

 The fraction distilling betwen 90° and 99° was found to have a 

 constant boiling-point at 96° to 98°, which is that of propylic 

 alcohol obtained from fermentation, and its composition is also 

 the same, Linnemann thinks that there are two isomeric pro- 

 pylic alcohols whose boiling-points differ by about 10°, and both 

 of which are formed by the treatment of acroleine with sodium- 

 amalgam. Their formation takes place by the assimilation of 

 two molecules of hydrogen, 



€ 3 H 4 9 + 2H 2 =€ 3 H 8 0. 

 Acroleine. Propylic 



alcohol. 



The same chemist has also succeeded in transforming acrylic 

 acid, C 3 H 4 9 2 , into propionic acid, € 3 H G 2 , by the action of 

 sodium-amalgam, that is, by means of hydrogen in the nascent 

 state. 



* Liebig's Annalen, March 1863. 

 t Phil. Mag. vol. xxiv. p. 309. 



