OXIDISING AGENTS ON COMPOUNDS OF DIMETHYL-THETINE. 603 
of hydrobromate of dimethyl-thetine by fuming nitric acid gave similar 
numbers. 
The crystalline substance which separated from the product of the action of 
nitric acid on the thetine salt, after the excess of the former had been driven 
off by heat, was characterised by its readiness to crystallise from a hot alcoholic 
solution, in long colourless needles. It did not taste acid, but after recrystal 
lisation from alcohol gave the acid reaction when placed on litmus paper and 
moistened with a drop of water. It did not combine with bases nor manifest 
any other acid properties. Heated in a tube, it sublimed in very beautiful 
crystals, even (though slowly) at the temperature of 100° C. Heated on pla- 
tinum, it burnt away completely with a blue flame, giving off sulphurous acid.’ 
Its fusing (108°5°) and solidifying point (96°) agree with those given by 
Sayzerr * for dimethyl-sulphone, (CH;),SO,—~.e., 109° C. and 99° C. 
Its identity with that substance was established beyond doubt by the 
analysis of the product of the oxidation of dimethyl-thetine by permanganate 
of potash. 
Action of Fuming Nitric Acid on Hydrobromate of Dimethyl-Thetine.-—Solid 
hydrobromate of dimethyl-thetine, added to fuming nitric acid, dissolved to a 
deep red liquid smelling strongly of bromine. No violent action took place, but 
the solution grew slightly warm, and a few bubbles of gas came off. On warm- 
ing, however, a violent action ensued, torrents of red fumes escaping; but it 
was not found necessary to check the action. When no further evolution of 
gases occurred, the nitric acid was evaporated off on a water-bath, and a 
syrupy liquid of disgusting odour remained. This fumed like hot sulphuric 
acid, even when heated to 100° C. On cooling, no crystalline substance separated 
out. It was mixed with baryta water, the excess of baryta separated by car- 
bonic acid, and the filtered solution evaporated to small bulk. The crystalline 
mass, which separated when the solution had cooled, was pressed between filter 
paper, dissolved in water, and alcohol added. After some time a deposition of 
crystals occurred ; these were filtered off (No. 1 barium salt), and more alcohol 
added to the mother liquor, when a second crop of crystals separated (No. 2 
barium salt). 
The results of the analyses of these two salts are as follows :— 
No. 1 Salt. 
I. Il. 
Barium, . : : 39°3 40°01 at 
Water, . : f OG "10 6:14 6:00 
Carbon, . F : 6°73 a 
Hydrogen, ees: 247 
*-Sayzerr, “ Ann. der Chem. u. Pharm.” exliv. 152. 
VOL. XXVIII. PART II. TR 
