592 PROFESSOR ANDERSON ON THE PRODUCTS OF THE 



although it is not formed in accordance with the received nomenclature of organic 

 compounds, the more especially as it would be difficult, in the present state of our 

 knowledge, to find another which would not be open to many objections. As far as 

 its properties and chemical relations go, pyrrol approaches more nearly to the vola- 

 tile organic bases than to any other class of nitrogenous compounds, but its basic 

 properties are extremely weak, as it has no effect on test papers, and though 

 soluble in dilute acids, can be expelled from the solution at the boiling heat. It 

 forms, however, compounds with corrosive sublimate and chloride of cadmium, 

 both of which are easily decomposed. 



Mercury Compound of Pyrrol. — This substance is obtained by mixing alcho- 

 holic solutions of pyrrol and corrosive sublimate, when it is immediately precipi- 

 tated as a white powder with a somewhat crystalline appearance, insoluble in 

 water, and sparingly soluble in cold alcohol. It is more soluble on boiling, but 

 is then partially decomposed. Excess of corrosive sublimate appears also to act 

 upon it in some way, as the solution from which it has been deposited acquires, 

 on standing, a dark red, and sometimes a fine purple colour, due, in all probabi- 

 lity, to the oxidation of pyrrol. The substance employed for analysis was dried 

 in vacuo, and was from different preparations : — 



(7-1 



\2-0 



86 grains of mercury compound gave 

 079 . . . carbonic acid. 



{ 8-906 grains of mercury compound gave 

 2472 ... carbonic acid and 

 0-652 ... water. 



TTT f 7*131 grains of mercury compound gave 

 \ 4*77 ... mercury. 





Experiment. 

 I. II. 



Ca 



lculation 













Carbon, 



7-89 7-57 



7-88 



c 8 



48 



Hydrogen, 



0-81 



0-82 



H 5 



5 



Nitrogen, 



• ... ... 



2-31 



N 



14 



Chlorine, 



• ... ... 



2331 



Cl 4 



142 



Mercury, 



66-89 



65-68 



Hg 2 



400 



100-00 609 



Corresponding with the formula C 8 H 5 N + 2 Hg Cl 2 . 



Cadmium Compound of Pyrrol is obtained as a white crystalline powder, when 

 alcoholic solutions of pyrrol and chloride of cadmium are mixed. It is insoluble 

 in water, but dissolves readily in hydrochloric acid. It is rapidly decomposed 

 when heated, either dry or in suspension in water or alcohol. Its analysis gave 



( 



5-673 grains of cadmium salt gave 

 4-837 ... carbonic acid and 

 1*119 ... water. 



