1871.] 



Compounds of the Orcins. 



415 



trinitro-orcinate extracted from the residue by boiling alcohol, from which 

 it crystallized in bright yellow prismatic needles. One or two recrystalliza- 

 tions rendered it quite pure. It melts at 61°'5 C, and is very soluble in hot 

 alcohol, from which, if the solution be concentrated, it is deposited as an 

 oil that solidifies on cooling. 



The substance dried in vacuo was submitted to analysis. 



I. *189 grm. substance gave -290 grm. carbonic anhydride and '078 grm. 

 water. 



Theory. 

 C n = 132 = 41-91 

 H 13 = 13 = 4-13 

 N 3 = 42 = 13-33 

 O s = 128 = 40-63 



315 100-00 



It may therefore be represented by the formula 

 C,H, (N0 2 ) 3 1 Q 



Methyl trinitro-orcinate was prepared in a manner precisely similar to 

 that above described, substituting methylic for ethylic iodide. Like the 

 ethyl compound, it forms bright yellow crystals, which, however, have a 

 somewhat higher melting-point, viz. 69°'5 C. 



Trinitro-resorcinic Acid. 



As it seemed important to ascertain if the homologues of orcin yielded 

 compounds similar to trinitro-orcin, I submitted resorcin to the action of 

 nitric and sulphuric acids in a manner precisely similar to that above de- 

 scribed for the preparation of trinitro-orcin. 



The resorcin employed was prepared from Galbanum by the excellent 

 method given by its discoverers, Hlasiwitz and Barth*, substituting, 

 however, sodium hydrate for potassium hydrate. After purification it was 

 treated with nitric and sulphuric acids, employing the proportions and 

 methods detailed in the preparation of trinitro-orcin. As might have been 

 expected, the yield of crude substance was larger, being 180 percent, of the 

 resorcin employed. It was collected, washed with cold water, and puri- 

 fied by one or two recrystallizations from boiling water (30 parts). It is 

 of a paler colour than the corresponding orcin compound, and crystallizes 

 in leafy plates. It melts at a higher temperature, viz. 1 75°-5 C, and is more 

 soluble than trinitro-orcin; 156 parts of water dissolve one of trinitro- 

 resorcin at 14° C, but the presence of even a small proportion of one 

 of the stronger acids renders it almost insoluble. Dried at 1 00° it gave 

 the following results : — 



* Ann. Chem. Pharra. vol cxxx. p. 354. 



I. 



41-85 

 4-58 



