Metal in a Salt by Electro -negative Elements. 141 



acetic acid with oxide of chlorine. 20*02 grms. of anhydrous acetic 

 acid in a state of purity, and cooled by means of a mixture of salt 

 and ice, were treated with 17'08 grms. of liquid hypochlorous 

 acid. The mixture of the two substances in equivalent propor- 

 tions has the colour of blood at first, and shows no signs of im- 

 mediate action, but soon begins to lose colour, even when kept 

 in the freezing-mixture, and does not disengage gas, nor lose 

 weight. From this disappearance of colour, it is reasonable to 

 infer that combination, or at any rate some kind of chemical 

 action, has taken place. To make sure that the acetic acid had 

 been saturated with hypochlorous acid, a portion of the product 

 was mixed with an excess of hypochlorous acid, which commu- 

 nicated to it a persistent red tint. On subsequent heating in 

 the water-bath to 30° C, the excess of hypochlorous acid was 

 driven off, and the liquid became colourless as before. 



The same result may be arrived at more conveniently by 

 leading a stream of dry hypochlorous acid at once into anhy- 

 drous acetic acid surrounded with cold water, until the liquid ac- 

 quires a decidedly yellow colour. The gas is readily absorbed 

 and combines immediately; afterwards the excess of hypo- 

 chlorous acid is expelled by heating to 30° C. 



The resulting acetate of chlorine is a liquid of a very pale 

 bright yellow, with a powerful and irritating smell, calling to 

 mind that of its two constituents. 



It explodes violently when heated to a temperature bordering 

 on 100° C, sometimes with production of light, if the quantity 

 of substance operated upon is sufficient. 



It keeps very well in the dark and at a low temperature; but 

 in direct or diffused daylight and at ordinary temperatures it 

 undergoes gradual decomposition, evolving oxygen and chlorine, 

 and leaving acetic acid. Under these conditions the stoppers 

 of the bottles containing it are thrown out with violence. 



It dissolves instantly and in all proportions in water, giving 

 a mixture of hydrated acetic and hypochlorous acids which de- 

 colorizes solution of sulphate of indigo, disengages oxygen 

 when heated, and in fact presents all the characteristic re- 

 actions of the two acids. This result shows that in the original 

 compound both anhydrides exist combined without any com- 

 plex change. 



having been published as a " Thesis," it has not received the attention 

 which.it merits. The last-named reaction puts into the hands of the che- 

 mist a convenient method of making a regular descent of the fatty alcohol 

 series. Any given normal alcohol being taken, it may be oxidized to its 

 corresponding fatty acid. The fatty acid then, by means of Schutzenber- 

 ger's reaction, gives off carbonic acid and leaves an ether of the alcohol 

 immediately below the one started with ; and so the series may be regu- 

 larly descended. — J. A. Wanklyn. 



