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IV. On the Synthesis of Succinic and Pyrotartaric Acids. 
By Maxwell Simpsox, M.B. Communicated hy Dr. Frankland, F.R.S. 
Eeceived April 10, — Eead" April 25, 1861. 
Succixic acid bears the same relation to the diatomic alcohol glycol that propionic acid 
bears to ordinary alcohol. Propionic acid can be obtained by treating the cyanide of 
the alcohol radical with potash. Can succinic acid be obtained by treating the cyanide 
of the glycol radical with the same reagent? or is it an isomeric acid that is formed 
under those circumstances ? 
C, H, Cy+0,{j|^+2H0 = H 3 
^ I Y ^ V ^ 
Cyanide of Ethyle. Propionate of Potash. 
C,H,Cy3+2{03j^+4H0 = 
^ J 
. V ; Y 
Cyanide of Ethylene. Succinate of Potash ? 
The following experiments were performed with the view of determining this point. 
Preparation of Cyanide of Ethylene. 
As a preliminary step to the formation of succinic acid in this way, it became of 
course necessary to prepare the cyanide of ethylene. This body I obtained by submit- 
ting bromide of ethylene to the action of cyanide of potassium. The process was thus 
conducted : — A mixture of two equivalents of the cyanide and one of the bromide, toge- 
ther with a considerable quantity of alcohol, was exposed in well-corked soda-water 
bottles to the temperature of a water-bath for about sixteen hours. To prevent the 
caking of che salt, it is advisable to have some coarsely-powdered glass in the bottles, 
and to agitate them occasionally. At the expiration of this time the bottles were 
opened, and the alcohol separated and distilled. A semifluid residue was thus obtained, 
which was Altered at 100° Cent. It was very dark in colour, owing to the presence of 
a considerable quantity of a tarry matter, which embarrassed me for a long time. This 
I at last succeeded in removing, by exposing the residue to a powerful freezing mixture, 
and pressing it, while in the mixture, between folds of bibulous paper, as long as the 
paper was stained. After this treatment there remained a crystalline mass, which was 
almost white. This was finally washed with a small quantity of ether, and dissolved in 
the same fluid. The residue obtained on evaporating the etherial solution is the body 
in question. It was dried at 100° Cent., and analysed. The nunbers obtained agree 
MDCCCLXI. K 
