no Be Spec ee but fina steric alkentlonss: ae : 
The inversion of menthone is effected by certain. seaeente. 
appeared to the authors to be of special interest to investigate the | 
- occurring when menthone is dissolved in pure acids which cause in Tsiot 
The /-menthone was first dissolved in a ‘series of organic | ds 
temperature, however, no ) formation. of a Ree oie isomer was ¢ 
separated off there are formed, for the greater part, me 
rotatory power in the different solutions is in all cases nearly the same 
menthones separated off, the rotatory power decreases in the 1: 
number of carbon atonis of the acids causing inversion increases. a . 
amounts of devicorotatiie isomerides were fodned: Tae ey 
Amongst the aliphatic acids, formic acid holds an ecineaae Si 
causes inversion already at ordinary temperature. The solution unt | 
change in the rotation which is now generally termed ‘ ‘mutarotation”. | 
and: 1; = 1 dem., [a]red amounted, after Zz mipntes: action, to aoe en 
3 dave 424. 42°, 7 ee 421 73°. iAter patina constant, lees was 
Opposite to the action of the other organic: acids, formic aci 
Opinion, acts principally owing to its dissociating power. Even in 
this acid causes gradual inversion. ; if 
: In order to prove a possible mutarotation of other terpene oekone iene 
with formic acid, d-carvone and d-fenchone were dissolved in. the latter” LC 
inversion, however, in the rotation taking place in the course of time. ; th | yee: 
oie 
even after 5 day’s action, no turning of the rotation. was mise an 1oOW, aS 
