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XIX. — Researches on the Amides of the Fatty Acids. By Thomas H. Rowney, 

 Ph. D., F.C.S., Assistant in the College Laboratory, Glasgow. 



(Read 2d April 1855.) 



The following paper contains the details of some experiments upon the action 

 of ammonia on the oils and fats, of which a preliminary notice was published in 

 the Quarterly Journal of the Chemical Society of London.* The production of a 

 soapy emulsion by the action of ammonia on these substances has long been fami- 

 liar to chemists, but comparatively few accurate experiments have been made 

 upon the compounds formed. Boullay| long since examined the crystalline 

 substance obtained from olive-oil, which he called Margaramide, and mentioned 

 that similar compounds were obtained with the other oils, although he did not 

 examine them. More lately,! M. Bouis produced ricinolamide from castor-oil, 

 and showed that, by fusion with potash, it yielded caprylic alcohol and sebacic 

 acid ; and still more recently, § he has obtained another fatty amide, which he 

 calls Isocetamide, by the action of ammonia on the fat of the purging nut of the 

 West Indies. 



From these experiments, it is obvious that the Glycerides of the fatty acids 

 suffer the same decomposition when acted upon by ammonia, as their ethyl and 

 methyl compounds undergo when exposed to the action of this reagent, amides 

 being formed, and glycerine, methylic and ethylic alcohols being set free. 



As the present communication contains a description of a considerable num- 

 ber of compounds obtained from different oils and fats ; and as the method fol- 

 lowed to obtain and purify them was nearly the same in all cases, I shall here 

 describe it once for all, merely adding, under each oil, any particular remarks it 

 may be necessary to make. 



The compounds were obtained by mixing one part by measure of oil, two 

 parts of alcohol, and four parts of strong solution of ammonia, in a stoppered 

 bottle, capable of holding twice the quantity, and placed in a moderately warm 

 situation, the stopper being tied with string, in order to prevent its being blown 

 out. The materials require occasional shaking, as, after standing some time, 

 they separate into two layers, the oil depositing, and the alcoholic and ammoniacal 

 fluid rising to the surface. After a certain time, varying with the nature of the 

 oil employed, it becomes covered with a whitish solid matter, which gradually 



* Quarterly Journal, Chemical Society London, vol. vii., p. 200 ; 1855. 

 f Comptes Rendus, December 26, 1843, p. 1346. 

 % Ibid., August 11, 1851, p. 141. 

 § Ibid., November 6, 1854, p. 923. 



VOL. XXI. PART II. 4 L 



