ETHER. 
wise -by distilling sulphuric ether from a 
fresh quantity of acid. Chemists are not 
agreed respecting its nature : Fourcroy and 
Vauquelin consider it as similar to ether, 
and that it differs from that fluid principally 
in containing a larger proportion of carbon, 
which gives to it more density and less 
volatility. Other chemists, particularly 
Higgins, have affirmed, that it is a com- 
pound of ether and sulphurous acid, and 
that by the addition of an alkali which 
combines with the acid, a quantity of ether 
may be obtained from it. It does not ap- 
pear, however, that this combination can 
be formed directly, or that ether can com- 
bine with a large quantity of sulphurous acid, 
so as to assume the properties of oil of wine; 
and though this substance may contain a 
portion of this acid, it is not improbable 
that it also differs from ether in its ultimate 
composition. At the same time that the 
oil of wine is disengaged, there is formed a 
quantity of olefiant gas, which passes off. 
It was in this process, indeed, that the pro- 
duction of this gas was first observed; and 
the action of sulphuric acid on alcohol 
still aff ords us the best method of obtaining 
it pure. The same gas is produced, by pass- 
ing the vapour of ether through an ignited 
earthen tube ; but when a glass tube is 
used, a different variety of carburetted hy- 
drogen is obtained. 
At this stage of the process the liquor be- 
comes so loaded with carbon, and at the 
same time is capable of bearing so high a 
temperature, that if the heat is kept up, the 
sulphuric acid is decomposed, and a large 
quantity of sulphureous acid gas and carbo- 
nic acid is produced. If the greatest care 
is not taken to keep the heat moderate, the 
whole liquor is apt to swell suddenly up, 
and boil over into the receiver. If exa- 
mined at this time, it is likewise found to 
contain a portion of acetic and oxalic acids 
mixed with the sulphuric acid, which is di- 
luted with water, and through which the 
carbon is diffused. Sulphuric ether, when 
highly rectified, is the lightest of all known 
liquids. It is obtained without difficulty of 
the specific gravity of .732, and by careful 
distillation has been brought so low as .716. 
It is colourless, and perfectly transparent ; 
has a strong pungent taste, and a fragrant 
penetrating smell. 
It is likewise the most volatile liquid. It 
evaporates rapidly, even at the common 
temperature, and under the common pres- 
sure of the atmosphere ; so that it cannot 
be poured from one vessel into another with- 
out loss, and any part wet with it immedi- 
ately becomes dry. In vacuo it boils at a 
temperature considerably below 32° : un- 
der the atmospheric pressure it boils at 98. ' 
In the spontaneous evaporation of ether a 
large quantity of caloric is absorbed, so as 
to produce cold : water inclosed in a small 
tube may be easily frozen, by ether evapo- 
rating from a piece of muslin wrapt round 
the external surface of the tube; and Dr. 
Higgins has observed, that in the rapid 
evaporation of ether, the temperature in 
frosty weather falls so low as 40. Ether 
congeals at 47. 
Ether is highly inflammable, and, when 
kindled, burns with a clear white flame, 
without any smoke, and without leaving any 
residuum, the products of its combustion 
being water and carbonic acid : the residual 
water generally gives indications too of sul- 
phuric acid, which may either be adventi- 
tious, or perhaps is essential to the constitu- 
tion of this species of ether. From its high 
inflammability, its vapour diffused in the 
atmosphere sometimes takes fire ; or if a 
drop or two of ether be added to atmos- 
pheric air, or oxygen gas, an explosion 
happens on the contact of an ignited body. 
Sulphuric ether is soluble in water ; but 
only in a limited proportion. When highly 
rectified, it requires ten parts of water for 
its solution ; and this is a property by which 
we are enabled to determine its purity, as, 
if more soluble, it contains either water or 
alcohol. It is soluble in alcohol in every 
proportion. 
Sulphuric ether exerts no sensible action 
on the fixed alkalies or earths. It unites 
with ammonia by distillation. 
Neither does it act on the me talsj but it 
is capable of decomposing the saline com- 
binations of those that have a weak affinity 
to oxygen, by attracting that principle. 
Thus, muriate of gold dissolved in it is gra- 
dually decomposed, and the gold precipi- 
tated in its metallic form. 
On the simple inflammables its action is 
somewhat similar to that of alcohol. It 
dissolves sulphur, as Favre has shewn, one 
ounce of ether dissolving about 25 grains : 
the solution has a strong sulphurous smell 
and taste: it is less soluble in water than 
pure ether, and deposits sulphur as the 
ether volatilizes. (“ Nicholson’s Journal,” 
vol. xiii. p. 69.) Ether likewise dissolves 
a small proportion of phosphorus : this solu- 
tion, like the phosphuretted alcohol, is de- 
composed by water ; but does not, like it, 
appear luminous during the decomposi- 
tion. 
Sulphuric ether is a solvent of many of 
