534 M. Lirmemann on the Action of Hydrogen on Acroleine. 



the zirrc. Two of the bodies produced are allylic and propylic 

 alcohol, which remain dissolved in the aqueous solution of chlo- 

 ride of zinc ; besides these, there is an insoluble substance which 

 partly forms a deposit and partly is dissolved in an ethereal layer 

 which floats on the liquid. By exhausting the entire liquid with 

 ether, the whole of this substance is obtained in solution. 



The solution of chloride of zinc containing the two alcohols 

 was distilled, and the distillate dehydrated by carbonate of pot- 

 ash and again distilled, and this distillate dehydrated by anhy- 

 drous sulphate of copper. In this way a volatile liquid was 

 obtained, consisting of about one volume of propylic and six of 

 allylic alcohol. It was impossible to separate these completely 

 by fractional distillation, for their boiling-points are so near, 

 though ample evidence of the identity of the two substances 

 was obtained from their reactions; and to effect the complete 

 separation, the mixed alcohols were treated by hydriodic acid, by 

 which they were converted into iodides. Iodide of allyle, G 3 H 5 1, 

 readily unites with mercury to form a compound, G 8 H 5 I Hg 2 , 

 while iodide of propyle is unaffected by mercury : advantage 

 was taken of this deportment to separate the two iodides. 



The properties of the iodide of allyle were found identical 

 with those of that prepared from glycerine. From the iodide 

 of propyle, G 3 H 7 I, propylic alcohol was obtained identical with 

 that obtained from acetone, and which is therefore isopropylic 

 alcohol. 



The ethereal solution contained the above-mentioned insoluble 

 substance, and also some chlorine and sulphur organic com- 

 pounds. When, however, the ethereal solution was evaporated, 

 these latter became carbonized and completely decomposed ; and 

 hence the first purification consisted in distilling and redistill- 

 ing the liquid until it passed over without decomposition. An 

 oily liquid was left, which could not be obtained of quite con- 

 stant boiling-point ; freshly distilled it is colourless, but rapidly 

 becomes brown on standing, and has a peculiar camphorous odour. 

 It has the formula G 6 H 10 O 2 , and stands to acroleine in the 

 same relation that pinakone and benzpinakone do respectively 

 to acetone and benzophenone, thus, 



2G 3 H 4 + H 2 = G 6 H'°0 2 . 

 Acroleine. New body. 



The chemical relations of this new substance, to which the name 

 acropinakone is provisionally assigned, have not yet been com- 

 pletely examined, and the author is still engaged upon the sub- 

 ject. His researches show that the action of the hydrogen from 

 an acid solution on acroleine gives rise to three bodies, whose 

 formation may be thus collated : — 



