﻿118 Prof. J. A. Wanklyn on Ethylate of Sodium 



appear that the absolute ethylates of the alkali-metals are en- 

 dowed with an extraordinary degree of stability, being among 

 the most permanent compounds belonging to organic chemistry. 



Passing on to the description of my research : — A small glass 

 retort, of 75 cubic centims. capacity (see figure), was cleaned, 

 dried, and weighed. Into it was put 

 some freshly cut sodium, the weight 

 of which was ascertained. (Sodium 

 admits of being accurately weighed, 

 the thin film of oxide with which it 

 so soon becomes covered being of 

 insignificant weight.) Anhydrous 

 alcohol was next poured into the 

 retort, and the reaction between it and the sodium allowed to 

 take place. The apparatus was then heated in the water-bath 

 as long as any alcohol distilled over, and then cooled, dried^ and 

 weighed. The apparatus was a second time placed in the water- 

 bath and subsequently cooled, dried, and weighed. The follow- 

 ing are the numbers given by two experiments : — 



I. II. 



Weight of sodium employed . . . 2*2 grm. 1*160 



Quantity of absolute alcohol poured in, about 30 cub. centims. 



Weight of the solid product after heating"! 1Q Q ~ n iqo 



to ioo° C j-iyyo ii-iy- 



Weight of the same after second heating 1 1Q Vf . 



to 100° C 1 1^70 



Calculated into percentage, we have — 



Found. 

 Theory for NaC 2 H 5 O, 3(C 2 H 6 O). , -A 



Na . 



A 



. 23 



11-165' 



I. 

 11-14 



II. 



10-37 



C 8 . 



. 96 









H 23 . 



. 23 









O 4 . 



. 64 

 206 











100-00 





The crystals therefore consist of Na C 2 H 5 O, 3 (C 2 H 6 0), and 

 will bear a temperature of 100° C. without losing alcohol. They 

 are in a state of complete fusion at 100° C, and so long as the 

 air is excluded remain quite colourless. A very slight exposure 

 to the air tinges them with brown — a remark which is applicable 

 to the absolute ethylate about to be described. They are not 

 very soluble in ether; in a mixture of acetic ether and ether 

 they appear to be more soluble. 



On exposing them to temperatures above 100° C. these crys- 

 tals give off alcohol, but they require a very considerable appli- 

 cation of heat to drive off all the alcohol from them. 



