540 On the Action of Hypochlorous Acid on Organic Bodies, 



in consequence of the formation of large quantities of chlorate 

 of mercury. 



This solution contains 2 to 3 per cent, of hypochlorous acid ; 

 it only acts slowly on ethylene gas, and is yet well adapted for 

 preparing hydrochloric glycol, the formation of which simply 

 results from the addition of the two bodies, 



€ 2 H 4 + HC10 = € 'S 4 |o. 



Ethylene. Hypochlorous -J 



acid. ^1 



Hydrochloric 

 glycol. 



Stoppered vessels holding about a litre are filled with ethylene 

 gas, and the hypochlorous acid solution, prepared as above, 

 added, the whole well shaken in a dark place and allowed to 

 stand in cold water. In a few hours the smell of hypochlorous 

 acid has disappeared ; the liquid is then filtered, and the filtered 

 liquid distilled. The distillate is exhausted with ether, the 

 etherial solution dehydrated by carbonate of potash, the ether 

 evaporated in the water-bath, and the residue rectified. The 

 body thus prepared is identical in properties with that obtained 

 by Wurtz from glycol. 



An aqueous solution of hypochlorous acid readily absorbs 

 amylene, and an excess of acid is not injurious so long as it does 

 not give off chlorine. The hydrochlorate of amylglycol, which 

 is the result of the action, could not be isolated by Bauer by the 

 action of hydrochloric acid on amylglycol*, but can easily be 

 obtained by means of this reaction. After the action of the hy- 

 pochlorous acid on amylene is complete, which requires to be 

 moderated by cooling, sulphuretted hydrogen is passed through 

 the filtered liquid so as to precipitate any dissolved mercurial 

 salt, care being taken to avoid an excess of sulphuretted hydrogen ; 

 the filtrate is then neutralized with carbonate of soda, and the 

 hydrochlorate extracted with ether. The rest of the purification 

 is quite analogous with that for the corresponding ethylene de- 

 rivative. The reaction is as follows : — 



€ 5 H 10 + HC10= g 10. 

 Amylene. Hypochlorous -JL 



acid. ^ 



Hydrochloric 

 amylglycol. 



The new body is a colourless, not very mobile liquid, with an 

 odour like that of valerianic acid. It is heavier than water, in 

 which it is soluble, and which it also dissolves, and can only 

 with difficulty be freed from by distillation : when pure it boils at 



* Phil. Mag. vol. xx. p. 44. 



