1871.] 



Compounds of the Orcins. 



417 



pare it by boiling a solution of one part of trinitro-resorcinic acid in 200 of 

 water, with a slight excess of lead carbonate, when the lead compound was 

 deposited on cooling in the form of deep yellow needles. It is but slightly 

 soluble in water, very soluble in acetic acid, and precipitated therefrom by 

 the addition of alcohol. Subacetate of lead completely precipitates solu- 

 tions of trinitro-resorcinic acid. 



Silver trinitro-resorcinate. — This was prepared in a manner similar to the 

 trinitro-orcinate. A solution of one part of the pure acid in 75 of water was 

 boiled for a short time with a slight excess of oxide of silver and filtered. 

 On cooling, the silver-salt was deposited in long fine needles of a yellowish- 

 brown colour. They crystallize readily from boiling water, in which they 

 are much more soluble than the corresponding trinitro-orcinate. Dried at 

 100° it gave the following results : — 



I. '456 grm. substance gave '284 grm. chloride of silver. 



II* *416 grm. substance gave -260 grm. chloride of silver. 



Theory. I. II. Mean. 



C 6 = 72 

 H = .1 



Ag, = 216 = 47*07 46-87 47*04 46'96 

 N," = 42 



8 = 128 



459 



The analyses correspond to the formula 



C,H(N0 2 ) 3 ) 



Trinitro-beta-orcinic Acid. 



Beta-orcin, C 8 H 10 2 , when treated with nitric and sulphuric acids as 

 above described, gives a yellow substance, which appears to be the cor- 

 responding nitro-compound of beta-orcin ; but from the small amount of 

 material at my disposal, I am at present unable to accurately determine its 

 properties. 



From some experiments I have made, the action of reducing agents, 

 nitrous acid, &c. upon these nitro-compounds promises very interesting 

 results. I am at present investigating this subject. My thanks are due 

 to Mr. Charles E. Groves for the efficient assistance he has rendered in 

 conducting the above investigation. 



The Society adjourned over the Easter Recess to Thursday, April 20th. 



