ON SOME DERIVATIVES FROM THE OLEFINES. 629 
It will be shown that, with regard to certain alcohols of the formula 
C,, H,,4. O., and their derivatives, the above scheme is not merely a representa- 
tion of an arithmetical possibility, but is the general expression of the result of a 
series of chemical phenomena, and that we are in possession of the means of 
deriving many of the higher alcohols from the lower ones by the introduction of 
olefines of the form C,, H.,,. 
I confine myself at present to the solution of the following problem :—To 
obtain a compound of zenanthyl! from vinic alcohol and amylen. 
The key to the solution of this problem is furnished by the facility with 
which the bisulphochloride of amylen parts with its chlorine, and the firmness 
with which it retains its sulphur. We have, in fact, seen numerous examples of 
the exchange of the chlorine in this body for other simple or compound halogens, 
as oxygen, peroxide of hydrogen, cyanogen, sulphocyanogen, &c., by the action 
of the corresponding compounds of the metals upon the bisulphochloride of 
amylen. 
In zinc-ethyl, the ethyl is certainly the halogen; hence we may anticipate the 
reaction which in fact takes place between zinc-ethyl and the bisulphochloride of 
amylen—namely, the replacement of the chlorine in the latter body by the ethyl 
of the former. 
C, H, Zn+C,, H,, 8, Cl=C,, H,, S, C, H,+Zn Cl. 
Bisulphochloride of amylen and an ethereal solution of zinc-ethyl mix with _ 
one another in all proportions, giving a clear, light yellow product. Such a 
mixture, however, unless one or other of the constituents is present in very great 
excess, becomes hot after standing a few minutes; and unless ether be present 
to cool the liquid by its evaporation, a dangerous projection of zinc-ethyl may 
result. It is difficult to regulate the action by cooling from without. I have 
found the following the most convenient process :— 
Three ounces of bisulphochloride of amylen are placed in a flask, having a 
doubly bored cork. Through one hole passes the zinc-ethyl delivery tube from the 
copper digester ; the other holds a tube, which is bent down into a large narrow- 
mouthed bottle, containing a few drops of ether. The charge of iodide of ethyl 
for the above quantity of bisulphochloride of amylen should be about five ounces. 
This is mixed, as usual, with its own volume of dry ether. If these proportions 
are observed, the zinc-ethyl formed will be in excess. The charge of zinc-ethyl 
is distilled off in about six hours, and the recipient containing the bisulphochloride 
is not artificially cooled. 
The product is found to consist of two layers,—the lower, a dark-brown slug- 
gish mass, almost solid when cold, contains the chloride of zinc ; the upper, which 
is of a light-yellow colour, contains the bisulphide of ethyl-amylen (or bisulphide 
of cenanthyl), along with ether, and the excess of zinc-ethyl. 
