44 
DR. NOAD ON SOME OF THE PRODUCTS OF 
product of the action has been nitrotoluylic acid ; and I have not hitherto succeeded 
in obtaining the first substitution compound C 20 
and of the intermediate sub- 
stances above alluded to, quantities insufficient for a thorough investigation of their 
nature. 
The study of the products of the decomposition of nitrotoluylic acid has been 
attended with more successful results : some new and interesting compounds have 
been obtained, and as these, viewed in connection with those described in my former 
paper, and with those of Chancel obtained in his researches on nitrobenzoic acid*, 
complete the proofs of the parallelism of the benzoyl and toluyl groups, I have 
thought that a brief account of them might be deemed not unworthy of the notice of 
the Royal Society. 
Preparation of Nitrotoluylamide . 
Among the salts analysed in order to determine the atomic weight of nitrotoluylic 
acid was the ethyl compound, prepared by submitting an alcoholic solution of the 
acid to a current of dry hydrochloric acid gas till copious fumes were evolved, and 
then distilling. Some attempts were made to convert this ether into nitrotoluylamide 
by saturating its alcoholic solution with dry ammoniacal gas, and setting it aside in a 
well-stopped bottle ; after some months however the anticipated transformation had 
not taken place. Equally unsuccessful was the attempt to prepare this amide by the 
action of heat on nitrotoluylate of ammonia, as Field'|' procured cuminamide from 
cuminate of ammonia ; an explosion invariably took place, however carefully the heat 
was applied. This investigation was resumed by repeating the experiment with 
the ether in sealed tubes exposed to heat in a water-bath. About 5 grms. of the 
crystallized salt were placed in a stout glass tube, 2 feet long and three quarters of 
an inch in diameter; the tube was then filled to within 2 inches of the top with 
strong aqueous ammonia, sealed, and submitted to a boiling temperature in a deep 
water-bath. After forty-eight hours’ continuous action the upper part of the tube 
had become filled with brilliant yellow crystalline plates, which were easily removed 
on breaking the tube from the solid and unaltered ether below. Two or three crystal- 
lizations sufficed for their purification. They were dried in vacuo over sulphuric 
acid, and then slowly brought to their fusing-point in the air-bath. The crystals 
began to fuse at 245° Fahr. ; at 255° they were fairly liquid, and at 260° they emitted 
copious vapours. 
Analysis . — The combustion was made in the usual manner with oxide of copper: 
I. *524 grm. yielded T029grm. carbonic acid and '220 grm. water. 
II. -420 grm. gave '886 grm. carbonic acid and '187 grm. water. 
* Compt. Rend. vol. xxviii. p. 293 ; Laurent and Gerhardt, C. R. 1849, p. 177 ; Journ. Pr. Chem. xlvii. 
p. 140; Ann. Ch. Pharm. lxxii. 274. 
t Mem. Chem. Soc. vol. iii. p. 404. 
