532 M. Linnemann on Benzhydrple. 



ing-temperature under the ordinary atmospheric pressure ; it ia 

 then split up into the ether and water, thus, 



H J°-€i3 H nJ£ + H 2 0. 



It is the first instance of a monatomic alcohol being decom- 

 posed in this way by the simple action of heat. It is obtained 

 in clear adamantine crystals belonging to the rhombic system. 



When to benzhydrole dissolved in absolute alcohol a small 

 quantity of sulphuric acid is added and the mixture left for some 

 days, an oil is separated on the subsequent addition of water, 

 which has the formula G 15 H 16 0. It is a mixed ether, ethyl- 



benzhydrolic ether, pzxib \Q> an ^ is a colourless liquid of 



the consistency of glycerine. This body exhibits a remarkable 

 deportment towards light. Shortly after distillation it is a 

 colourless liquid ; but kept, it becomes coloured. This colour 

 arises from the action of light ; for when the liquid is kept for 

 some time in the dark it disappears. The coloration reappears 

 after some time when brought into diffused daylight, but imme- 

 diately when brought into the sunlight. By incident light the 

 liquid appears of a beautiful green, and by transmitted of a pale 

 yellow. The colour, besides depending on the light, appears to de- 

 pend on a certain position of rest, for it disappears when the liquid 

 is moved backwards and forwards. It is also lost by warming. 

 If the colour has been destroyed by exposure to dark, by agita- 

 tion, or by heat, it may be brought back by exposure to direct 

 sunlight. Yet, strangely enough, this condition is transient ; 

 for when the liquid has been kept for some months it is colour- 

 less, and does not regain its previous properties, even by distil- 

 lation. But in any condition of the liquid, when a cone of light 

 is transmitted through it, it is highly fluorescent, the conver- 

 gent light being of a beautiful blue. 



Besides acetic benzhydrolic ether (which has also these remark- 

 able luminous properties) and benzoic benzhydrolic ether which 

 Linnemann formerly described, and which description he now 

 completes, he has prepared other ethers. The succinic benz- 



hydrolic ether, V, 4 tt 4 J 2 >0 2 , consists of small lustrous lamina* 



which melt at 142°. 



This compound experiences, by the action of heat, a singular 

 change, which is expressed by the following equation : — 



(C 13 H ) 1 A2_C H 1 A2 , oni3 trio 

 G4H 4 0*J H 2 J u + ^ u ' 



It is decomposed into succinic acid and a hydrocarbon which, 



