ON A NEW CLASS OE ALCOHOLS. 
557 
few of the products obtained in this reaction are themselves appropriate for the separa- 
tion of allylic alcohol. The most satisfactory results we have obtained with oxalate of 
allyl. Iodide of allyl acts very energetically upon oxalate of silver. After several 
hours’ digestion at 100 °, which is most conveniently accomplished in the presence of 
anhydrous ether, the reaction is completed. The oxalate of allyl furnished by this 
process can be easily purified ; on filtering the ethereal liquor from the iodide of silver 
and distilhng, the ether passes over fii’st, the temperature then rises rapidly, and 
between 206° and 207°, a colourless transparent liquid distils over, which is the oxalate 
of allyl. According to an analysis, the details of which will be given further on, this 
ether contains Cig Hjo 08 = 2 C 6 Hj, C 4 Og, 
When once the oxalate of allyl has been procured, nothing is easier than to separate 
from it the allylic alcohol. It is only necessary to treat this product with an excess of 
dry ammonia, by which oxamide and the allylic alcohol are obtained, according to the 
following equation : — 
2^e Hg, C 4 Og4-2H3N=a O 4 , H^,H-2C6 Hg, 0,H0, 
Oxalate of allyl. Oxamide. AUylic alcohol, 
a result in perfect accordance with the reciprocal action of ammonia and oxalic ether. 
^Hg, C^+2H3N=^4, H 4 N3+2C4Hg, O, HO . 
Oxalic ether. Oxamide. Etliylic alcohol. 
The alcohol separated by distillation from the oxamide is not absolutely pure — it may 
retain water and ammonia ; but a simple rectification over anhydrous sulphate of copper 
is sufficient to render it perfectly pure. 
Allylic alcohol is a colourless, very mobile liquid, possessing a pungent odour, recall- 
ing at the same time that of common alcohol and of mustard oil. It boils at 103° C., 
and is combustible, but bums with a far more luminous flame than ordinary alcohol. 
Its flavour is spirituous and pungent. Water, alcohol and wood-spirit dissolve it in all 
proportions. 
The analysis of allylic alcohol has furnished the following results : 
0T82 grm. of substance gave 0'4I4 grm. of carbonic acid and 0T72 grm. of water. 
The percentage composition corresponding to these numbers leads to the formula 
which requires — 
6 equivs. of Carbon 
6 equivs. of Hydrogen 
2 equivs. of Oxygen . 
1 equiv. of Allylic alcohol 
Cg Hg O 2 , 
Theory. 
Experiment, 
36 62-07' 
62-08 
6 10-34 
16 27-59 
10-43 
58 100-00 
4 D 
MDCCCLVII. 
