196 H. G. SMITH. 



Analyses of the crystals gave the following results: — 

 0*1872 gram gave 0*4444 gram 00 2 and 0*1066 gram H 2 O r 



= 64*74 and H = 6*327 per cent. 

 0*1574 gram gave 0*3740 gram C0 2 and 0*093 gram H 2 O r 

 = 64*803 and H = 6*565 per cent. 

 12 H u O 4 contains C = 64*865 and H = 6*307 per cent. 



The molecular weight was taken in Beckmann's apparatus- 

 using alcohol as the solvent. 



0*4775 gram in 16*4 grams alcohol increased the boiling 

 point 0°*16. The molecular weight calculated from this is 

 209. By the freezing method with acetic acid as solvent, 

 one determination gave 228 as molecular weight, but with 

 other trials abnormal figures were obtained ; this was also 

 the case when boiling chloroform was used as solvent. 



From the results in other directions it is necessary that 

 four atoms of oxygen at least should be present in the 

 molecule, so that 12 H u O 4 may be assumed to be correct. 



Optical rotation. — The optical rotation was taken in 

 chloroform as this appeared to be the best solvent for the 

 purpose. 



0*3 gram crystals in 10 cc. CHOI?, rotated the ray 3*7 

 degrees to the right in 100 mm. tube ; the specific rotation 

 from this [a] D = + 123°*33. 



0*6 gram crystals in 10 cc. CHC1 3 gave rotation 7*4° to 

 the right in the same tube, showing the specific rotation 

 to be the same for both. 



0*3 gram crystals was just melted in a beaker, the glassy 

 substance dissolved in chloroform and made up to 10 cc. r 

 the optical rotation was again + 3°*7, so that no alteration 

 was observed between the crystalline and amorphous con- 

 ditions of the substance. 



The molecule thus contains one or more asymmetric 

 carbon atoms, which, from the known constitution of the 

 remainder of the molecule, must be in the side chain. 



