204 



Dr. C. R. A. Wright's Contributions to the [Mar. 14, 



mately obtained which may be considered as formed by the following train 

 of reactions : — 



Codeia. Morphia. 



C 13 H 21 N0 3 + HI = CH3I + C 17 H 19 NO„ 



Morphia. Hypothetical new base X. 



C 17 H 19 N0 3 + 2HI = I 2 + C ]7 H 21 N0 3 , 



Hypothetical new base X. Hypothetical new base Y. 



C 17 H 21 N0 3 + 2HI = I 2 + H 2 + C 17 H 21 N0 2 . 



These two hypothetical bases, X and Y, then serve as the foundations 

 of two series of new products expressible by the general formulae : — 



4X+wHI+^H 2 0, 

 4Y+wHI+pH 2 0. 



In accordance with these views, it might be anticipated that, on treating 

 morphia with hydriodic acid and phosphorus, either the same products, or 

 at least products belonging to these same series, would ultimately result, 

 which is. in fact the case. 



The morphia used in these experiments was presented for the purpose 

 by Messrs. Macfarlane of Edinburgh, to whom the writer has already been 

 so much indebted for similar acts of liberality ; the hydriodic acid was pre- 

 pared as described in Part III., and contained 50 to 55 per cent, of HI. 



On dissolving morphia by the aid of heat in about four times its weight 

 of this acid, a marked brown coloration is visible, indicating the separation 

 of iodine ; on adding phosphorus and continuing to heat, this colour ulti- 

 mately disappears, a colourless syrupy liquid being obtained, which is freed 

 from amorphous phosphorus and the phosphorus acids produced during 

 the reaction by filtration through asbestos while hot, precipitation by water 

 &c, precisely as in the case of the similar codeia products. On thus 

 treating codeia, one or other of three products appear to be formed, ac- 

 cording to the temperature employed, viz. : — 



At 100° 4X+6HI. 



Atll0°-115 o .. 4X+6HI-2H 2 0. 

 Boiled up to 130° 4Y + 6HI- 2H 2 O. 



In the case of morphia, however, the resulting product is the same at 

 whatever of these temperatures the reaction ensues, and has the composition 

 4X + 6HI — 2H 2 0. Thus the following numbers were obtained after com- 

 plete drying at 100°:— 



(A) Digested four hours at 100°. 



0-3695 grm.gave 0\5920 C0 o and O'l/IOH.,0. 

 0-3325 „ 0-2410 Agl. 



(B) Gently boiled ten minutes. 



0-3955 grm. gave 0-0240 C0 2 and 0-1770 H 2 0. 

 0-3465 „ 0-2530 Agl. 

 0-4420 „ 0-3260 Agl. 



