THE ENERGY OF THE LIVING PROTOPLASM. l6g 



In the second group of katalytic actions may be counted the 

 transformation of malei'c into the isomeric fumaric acid by mineral 

 acids, of malei'c ester into fumaric ester by contact with hydro- 

 chloric acid at the ordinary temperature (Skraup) and of citra- 

 conic into mesaconic acid (Delisle, Franz) ; of hydromellitic into 

 isohydromellitic acid by hydrochloric acid (Baeycr) ; of dihydro- 

 terephthalic into an isomeric acid by a solution of caustic soda, 

 the formation of paramidophenol from phenyl-hydroxylamine 

 (E. Bamberger) and that of paranitroso-compounds from nitro- 

 samines by acids. Also the transformation of oleic into elai'dic 

 acid by nitrous acid deserves mentioning. 



In connection with the third group we mention the following 

 observations : platinum black brings about an oxidation of 

 hydrogen, of alcohols, and of various other compounds ; it unites 

 sulphur dioxide with dry oxygen to form sulphur trioxide ; it 

 combines hydrogen with hydrocyanic acid into methylamine at 

 no 0 (Debits) ; it transforms a mixture of nitric oxide and hydrogen 

 into ammonia and water ; it accelerates the decomposition of 

 hydroxylamine in presence of caustic potash ; it decomposes 

 peroxide of hydrogen energetically ; it transforms ozone into 

 common oxygen (Mulder) ; it decomposes azoimide into ammonia 

 and nitrous oxide (O. Locic), and nitrososulphates into sulphates 

 and nitrous oxide (Pelouze). 



Finely divided iridium or rhodium decomposes formic acid 

 into carbon dioxide and hydrogen (Deville and Deb ray) ; palla- 

 dium powder effects an oxidation of hypophosphorous acid with 

 liberation of hydrogen finely divided copper incites a rapid 

 decomposition of formic aldehyde by caustic potash with libera- 

 tion of hydrogen, |2) it also decomposes diazobenzene chloride into 

 nitrogen and chlorbenzene at low temperatures. 13 ' Zinc filings 

 condense at ioo° acetaldehyde to aldol and crotonaldehyde. 



All these actions of finely divided metals can be best ex- 

 plained by the assumption that a modification of heat waves 

 takes place in such a manner that this energy can now pass 

 more easily into chemical energy. With platinum black this 



(1) Engcl, Compt. rend, no, 7S6. The chemical explanation given by this 

 author is certainly incorrect. 



(2) O. Locw, Ber. D. Chem. Ges. iio, 145. 



(3) Gattermmn, ibid, as, 1218 and a.5, 1091, footnote. 



