466 Scientific Intelligence. 



to 16 liters carbon monoxide is obtained, the calculated quantity 

 being 17. At first sight, it might appear that the production 

 of the carbon monoxide is simply a matter of hydrolysis and 

 dehydration, the hydrogen cyanide being converted into formic 

 acid and this into carbon monoxide : 



KCN + (H 2 SOJ 2 + H 2 0=KHS0 4 + NH 4 HS0 4 + CO 



But since the result is equally well obtained by a mixture of two 

 volumes of ordinary with one volume of Nordhausen acid, evi- 

 dently water can play no part. Moreover hydrogen potassium 

 sulphate may be used, a mixture of the dry salt with dry potas- 

 sium cyanide evolving when heated to 230°-250°, anhydrous 

 hydrogen cyanide, while a large amount of carbon monoxide is 

 continually produced, and the residue smells strongly of ammonia: 

 KCN + (HKS0 4 ),=K 9 S0 4 + K 2 S 9 0, + CO + NH i 

 (KCN) 2 + (KHS0 4 ) 8 = (K 2 S0 4 ) 3 + (K.S.O,), + (CO), + (NH 4 ) 2 S0 4 

 J. Chem. Soc, lxxiii, 255-258, April, 1898. g. f. b. 



6. On the Electrolytic production of Iodoform. — Very satis- 

 factory results have been obtained by Foerster and Meves in 

 the preparation of iodoform by means of electrolysis, the yield 

 being 80 per cent of the potassium iodide employed. An ordi- 

 nary battery jar closed with a plate of india rubber, contained 

 three platinum plates as electrodes, the middle one, about 85 

 sq. cm. in area, being the anode and the cathodes being wrapped 

 in parchment paper. Between the electrodes were two entrance 

 tubes for gases and an exit-tube. A copper and a gas voltameter 

 were in the circuit. The charge consisted of 400 cc of a solution 

 containing 60 grams potassium iodide, 20 grams sodium carbonate 

 and 80 grams alcohol, the whole being kept at 65° by means of 

 a water-bath. The current density was 2 amperes per sq. dm. and 

 to obtain this two volts were required. The iodoform was re- 

 moved every 8 ampere hours and the corresponding amount of 

 potassium iodide and 20 cc alcohol was added. The reaction is 



C 2 H 6 + H 2 + I 10 =OHI 3 + (HI), + C0 2 

 A slow current of C0 2 is passed through the cell to take up the 

 KOH formed at the cathode. — J. pr. Oh., lvi, 353-363, Decem- 

 ber, 1897. G. F. B. 



7. Das physikalisch-chemische Institut der Universitat Leipzig 

 und die Feier seiner Eroffnung am 3 Januar, 1898. Von Prof. 

 Dr. W. Ostwald, Direktor des Instituts, pp. 44. Leipzig, 1898. 

 (Engelmann.) — A description of the new Institute with Prof. 

 Ostwald's admirable opening address. 



8. A Manual of Quantitative Chemical Analysis ; by E. F. 

 Ladd, B. S. 12mo, pp. vi, 82. New York, 1898. (John Wiley 

 & Sons.) — This little book contains selected methods designed 

 for the beginner in quantitative analysis, u not the ones that 

 would always give the most reliable results in professional work," 

 but " those that represent principles that will aid in developing 

 the reasoning power of the student." For this purpose a set 

 of questions is given at the end of each method. The methods 

 seem well chosen and the processes are clearly described. 



