1908-9.] Life and Chemical Work of Archibald S. Couper. 273 
connection with a combinate which I am about to describe, and which is produced 
from the monochlorophosphate of salicyl, as well as from the terchlorophosphate, I 
think I may be warranted in ascribing definitely to it the above formula. 
This compound is produced by the exposure to the atmosphere of the bodies just 
mentioned. The chlorine contained in them decomposes the water of the atmosphere 
combining with an equivalent of hydrogen, while the oxygen is taken up by the 
bodies in question in replacement of the chlorine. This new oxygen, however, 
enters into the state in which it is found in acids, and has a great affinity for the 
oxygen of water and bases. It therefore attracts the water of the atmosphere, and 
the combinate becomes an hydrated acid. 
This body being submitted to analysis, gave results according with the rational 
formula — 
( C""H 2 
cl 
C”H 
C— H 
Q 2 
■■ o 
o 
o 
H d 
o 
o 
: { O 2 
0 OH 
C- 
| 
( 0 -OH 
J 
C 7 H T 0 12 P * 
1°. 0-2845 grms. of substance gave 0397 grms. of carbonic acid, and 0086 grnis. 
of water. 
0T785 grms. of substance gave 0 103 grms, of the pyrophosphate of magnesia. 
Carbon . 
Hydrogen 
Phosphorus . 
Found . 
Calculated 
38-05 
38-53 
3-39 
3-21 
14-48 
14-22 
This phosphosalicyclic acid is a tribasic acid, and forms insoluble salts with 
baryta, lead, and silver, containing three equivalents of these metals. 
I propose taking into consideration more fully the constitution of salicylic acid 
in a subsequent communication. The formula here given of that body may be in 
the meanwhile suggestive. 
* Couper has here for phosphorus the symbol “Ph” as throughout the French paper. 
Elsewhere in English he uses “ P”. 
(. Issued separately April 30, 1909.) 
VOL. XXIX. 
18 
