1863.] of Oxy -radicals of Di- and Tri-atomic Alcohols. 



45 



radicals, which are respectively mono-, di- and tri-atomic. The compounds 

 which these radicals form with the metalloids have heen long since 

 prepared and thoroughly studied. Our knowledge of the compounds 

 which they form with cyanogen, whose behaviour so much resembles the 

 metalloids, is not in so forward a state. At present we are only acquainted 

 with a few of the cyanides of those of them which are destitute of oxygen, 

 and the acids they form when submitted to the action of potash. The 

 object of the present investigation is to extend our knowledge in this 

 direction. With this view J. propose to myself the following questions : — 

 Is it possible to prepare also the cyanides of the oxy-radicals of glycol or 

 glycerine ? And if it be possible, is the action of potash on these cyanides 

 analogous to its action on the ordinary cyanides ? If the foregoing questions 

 be answered in the affirmative, we shall then be able to obtain in this way, 

 from every glycol, two, and from every glycerine three acids. A glance at 

 the following Table will make this intelligible : — 



Diatomic Alcohol {Glycol), 



Cyanide. Acid. 



Chlorhydrine of Glycol C, O, CI C, O, Cy C, H, Lactic ? 

 Chloride of Ethylene . . C, H, CI, C, H, Cy, C^ O, Succinic* 



(bibasic). 



Triatomic Alcohol (Glycerine), 



Cyanide. Acid. 

 Monochlorhydrine . . . . C^ li, O, CI C^ H, O, Cy C^ O, 



Dichlorhydriue CeHgO.Cl, CeHgO.Cy, C^.'R.O,, (Bibasic) 



Trichlorhydrine C.ll.d, Cj, C,, Hg O,, (Tribasic) f 



In the present paper I propose to take up the study of the acid 

 Cjo H3 in the glycerine series, which I succeeded in preparing in the 

 following manner : — 



A mixture of one equivalent of dichlorhydriue and two equivalents of 

 pure cyanide of potassium, together with a quantity of alcohol, was 

 maintained at the temperature of 100° Cent, for twenty- four hours in well- 

 closed soda-water bottles. At the expiration of this time it was found that 

 all the cyanide of potassium had been converted into chloride. The 

 contents of the bottles were then filtered, and to the filtered liquor, which 

 no doubt contained the body Cg Hg Cy2 in solution, solid potash was 

 added. To this, heat was applied in such a manner as to prevent the 

 escape of the alcohol by evaporation ; and its application continued till 

 ammonia ceased to be evolved. As soon as this was observed, the alcohol 

 was distilled off, and the residue treated with nitric acid, which was 

 afterwards removed by evaporation at a low temperature. The nitric acid 

 accomplishes two objects : it destroys in a great measure the tarry matter 

 which is present in large quantity, and at the same time sets free the 



* Philosophical Transactions for 1861, p. 61. 



t Proceedings of the Royal Society, vol. xii. p. 236. 



E 2 



