(3) 



CHEMISTRY OF NITROGLYCERINE. 



3.(KO.N0 2 ) + 2H s = KO.N0 5 + (2KO.NO) + 20H 2 . 



Potassium Hydro- Potassium Potassium Water. , 



Nitrate. gen. Nitrate. Nitrite. 



77 



or, combining these stages of the supposed reaction into one equation : — 



(4) C 3 H 5 . 3 (0 . N0 2 ) + 5K0H = KO . N0 2 + 2(K0 . NO) + KO . CHO + KO . C 2 H 3 + 30H 2 . 



Nitroglycerine. Potash. Potassium Potassium Potassium Potassium Water. 



Nitrate. 



Nitrite. 



Formate. 



Acetate. 



In equation (1) it might have been more in harmony with the view ad- 

 vanced that the glycerine should have been represented as glyceryl and water, 

 to indicate more completely its nascent state. 



There is every reason to believe that equation (4) is substantially and 

 approximately correct, although in respect of the oxidation products of 

 glycerine these may vary in their nature and proportions. Besides being in 

 accordance with the results of the examination of the products of decomposi- 

 tion, it is supported, as regards the amount of potash required, by the following- 

 experiments : — ■ 



According to Railton's equation, one part of nitroglycerine requires for its 

 complete decomposition 0741 parts of potassium hydrate ; according to the 

 equation just given the proportion is as 1 : 1-235. If less of potash is used than 

 in the latter proportion, then, if the latter equation be correct, complete decom- 

 position will not occur, and a quantity of nitrous acid will be produced corre- 

 sponding to the amount of potash employed ; and the solution of the products 

 of decomposition will remain neutral until more than the requisite proportion 

 of potash (1-235 to 1) has been added. In the following four experiments 

 nitroglycerine, F., was employed in every instance, and a certain quantity of it 

 was dissolved in alcohol and decomposed by an alcoholic solution of a given 

 weight of pure potash, freshly crystallised from* alcohol, and as free as possible 

 from carbonate ; the mixture being boiled for ten minutes, diluted with water, 

 and again boiled for ten minutes. 



No. of 

 Experiment. 



Weight of 

 Nitroglycerine. 



Weight of 

 Potassium 

 Hydrate. 



Yield of Nitrous Anhydride, 



expressed as percentage of 



Nitroglycerine used. 



Reaction of Decom- 

 posed Fluid. 



I. 



II. 



III. 



IV. 



Grms. 



1 

 1 

 1 

 1 



Grms. 



80 

 1-00 

 1-24 

 1-50 



Calculated accord- 

 ing to Author's 

 equation. 



Found; 



Neutral. 



Neutral. 



f Very slightly 

 ( alkaline. 



Alkaline. 



21-68 

 2711 

 33-48 

 33-48 



23-23 

 28-68 

 34-69 

 34-69 



