180 
Proceedings of Boyal Society of Edinburgh. [sess. i 
compound themselves with the period of the lever, hut also by the 
fascicular motions which always occur during a muscular contrac- 
tion, and which have been elsewhere described by the author. 
Synthesis of Sebacic Acid. By Prof. Crum Brown 
and Dr James Walker. 
(Read May 19, 1890.) 
{Abstract.) 
Potassium ethyl adipate was prepared by adding the calculated 
quantity of alcoholic potash to an alcoholic solution of adipic ether, 
and boiling. After the alcohol had been driven off on the -water- 
bath, the residue, when shaken up with water and ether, yielded an 
aqueous solution which after concentration was used for electrolysis. 
The electrolysis was conducted in precisely the same manner as 
in our former syntheses.* A colourless oil was observed to collect 
on the top of the solution. After completion of the electrolysis, the 
contents of the crucible used as cathode were extracted by ether, 
which was subsequently distilled off and the residual oil kept for 
some hours at 120°. When hot this oil smells of melted butter, but 
on cooling the fatty odour disappears, a very slight smell resembling 
melons being left. The boiling-point of the oil is 307° (uncorr.). 
Analysis yielded the following results : — 
T452 gr. substance gave *3470 gr. C0 2 
and T329 gr. H 2 0 
Found. Calculated for C 14 H 26 0 4 . 
C 65-18% 65*12% 
H 10-16 10-08 
The substance has thus the composition of sebacic ether. 
A portion of it was saponified by means of alcoholic potash, the 
potassium salt separating out on boiling. The acid obtained from 
this salt by precipitation with hydrochloric acid was found to melt 
at 128° — the melting point of sebacic acid. 
A weighed portion of the potassium salt was ignited, and gave 
the following numbers : — 
•3662 gr. salt gave *1808 gr. K 2 C0 3 
Found. Calculated for ^ioB ig0 4 K2. 
27-88 % 28-06 % 
* Proc. Roy. Soc. Edin., 1889-90, p. 54. 
K 
