64 
DE. E. EEAA-EEAA^D’S EESEAECHES OX 0EGAX0-:METALLIC BODEES. 
This compound is produced from zincethyl and binoxide of nitrogen according to the 
following equation : — 
C. H. O. Zn+Zn C, H,. 
Dinitroethylate of zinc and zincethyl is deposited from its ethereal solution in lai'ge 
colourless and transparent rhomboidal crystals, which instantly become opake on exposure 
to the air, owing to the formation of an oxidized product. These crystals are tolerably 
soluble in anhydrous ether without decomposition, but they are instantly decomposed by 
anhydrous alcohol and by water. Exposed to the gradually increasing heat of an oil- 
bath, dinitroethylate of zinc and zincethyl fuses at 100° C., froths up and begins slowly 
to evolve gas. At 180° C. the colour darkens, and a small quantity of a yellowish liquid 
of a penetrating odour, free from zincethyl and possessing a very poweifril alkaline 
reaction, distils over. This liquid, neutralized with hydrochloric acid and treated with 
bichloride of platinum, yielded a splendidly crystalline platinum salt, which was obtained, 
however, in too small quantity to allow of its composition being determined. From 180° 
to 190°, dinitroethylate of zinc and zincethyl evolved gas very rapidly, and the experi- 
ment was then interrupted. The gas consisted of 18‘4 per cent, carborric acid, 2.3‘66 per 
cent, olefiant gas, and 57'94 per cent, of a mixture of hydride of ethyl, nitrogen and 
protoxide of nitrogen. 
Wherr brought into contact with water, dinitroethylate of zinc and zincethyl is imme- 
diately decomposed with lively efiervescerrce. A large quantity of inflammable gas is 
evolved, and a white flocculent substance formed. At the conclusion of the reaction the 
latter dissolves almost completely, formirrg an opalescent solutiorr resemblirrg milk, pos- 
sessing a powerfully alkaline reaction and a peculiarly bitter taste. 
In order to ascertain the exact nature of the gas evolved in this reaction, some crystals 
of dinitroethylate of zinc and zincethyl were passed up iirto arr inverted receiver filled 
Avith mercury, and were then brought into contact with a small quantity of water. The 
gas thus collected over mercruy possessed an ethereal odorm, bimirt with a slightly limri- 
nous flame, and was completely soluble in an equal volume of alcohol. It was perfectly 
neutral, and underwent no change orr being treated successively uith caustic potash solu- 
tion and dilute sulphuric acid. 
A specific gravity determination gave the follorving rrumbers : — 
Temperature of room 7°'7 C. 
Height of barometer 761‘3 rrrm. 
Height of internal column of mercmy . . . 6’5 rrrm. 
Weight of flask and gas 31‘2294 grms. 
Temperature in balance-case I0°'7 C. 
Weight of flask and dry air 31‘2I99 grms. 
Temperatm'e of balance-case II°‘0 C. 
Capacity of flask 141-0 cub. cent. 
From these data the specific gravity was calculated to be 1-0515. 
