28 



On the Acids of the Lactic Series. 



[xMar. 1, 



having the hydrogen of the hydroxyl replaced by an organic radical 



A secondary olefine acid is one in which the atom of carbon united with 

 oxalyl is not combined with hydroxyl, and in which the atom of carbon 

 united with hydroxyl is also combined with two monatomic alcohol radicals. 



In the above formula ii must be a monatomic alcohol radical. 



An etheric secondary olefine acid is related to the secondary olefine 

 acids in the same way as the etheric normal olefine acids are related to the 

 normal olefine acids. 



The numerous cases of isomerism in the lactic series are next examined 

 and explained ; and the authors then show how the radicals which are 

 employed for the production of the synthesized acids may again be sepa- 

 rated, thus affording analytical as well as synthetical proof of the constitu- 

 tion of these acids. 



These investigations have conducted the authors to the following conclu- 

 sions : — 



1. All acids of the lactic series are essentially monobasic. 



2. These acids are of four species, viz. normal, secondary, normal ole- 

 fine, and secondary olefine acids ; and each of these species has its own 

 etheric series of acids, in which the hydrogen of the hydroxyl contained in 

 the positive or basylous constituent of the acid is replaced by a compound 

 organic radical, either positive or negative. 



3. The normal acids are derived from oxalic acid by the replacement of 

 one atom of oxygen, either by tv/o atoms of hydrogen, or by one atom of 

 hydrogen and one atom of an alcohol radical. 



4. The secondary acids are derived from oxalic acid by the replacement 

 of one atom of oxygen by two atoms of monatomic alcohol radicals. 



k 5 The olefine acids are derived from oxalic acid by a like substitution 

 of two monatomic positive radicals for one atom of oxygen, with the addi- 

 tion of a diatomic radical (C^Ha -^) between the two atoms of oxalyl. 



6. The acids of the lactic series stand in the very simple relation to the 

 acids of the acetic series first pointed out by Kolbe, viz. that by the re- 

 placement, by hydrogen, of the hydroxyl, ethoxyl, &c. contained in the 

 positive radical of an acid of the lactic series, that acid becomes converted 

 into a member of the acetic series. 



7. The acids of the lactic series stand in an almost equally simple rela- 

 tion to those of the acrylic series, as is seen on comparing the two follow- 

 ing formulae : — 



positive or negative. 



Lactic acid. 



Acrylic acid. 



