54 
ME, ^Y. DE LA ELT) AXD M. H. MtLLEE OX 
The best solvent for this compound is benzol, it being soluble in all proportions in 
this liquid. On evaporating the solution, the substance is left behind in fine prismatic 
crystals. Chloroform behaves like benzol ; but the crystals obtained from this solvent 
are much finer, and can be obtained of considerable size. 
In order to ascertain the nature of the compound produced by the action of chloride 
of benzoyl on sycocerylic alcohol, we decomposed it by means of sodium-alcohol, which 
we found to be preferable to any other form of caustic alkali. Even with this reagent 
the decomposition is effected only with difficulty ; possibly on account of the new sub- 
stance being only sparingly soluble, and also on account of the benzoate of sodium which 
results not being much more soluble in the alcohol. Howerer, after boiling for some 
time, the benzoate of sycoceryl disappears. On addition of water a voluminous sub- 
stance was separated, which proved to be the regenerated alcohol of sycoceryl. 
The aqueous liquid saturated with an acid soon formed a crystalline precipitate, which, 
on removal with ether, proved to be benzoic acid. 
The foregoing experiments bear conclusive evidence that the alcohol of sycoceryl 
behaves toward chloride of benzoyl in a manner perfectly analogous with that of other 
members of the alcoholic group, that is to say, a benzoate of the ether radical being 
formed. 
After having shown that the substance separated by sodium-alcohol may be regarded 
as the alcohol of the new radical sycoceryl, it became desirable to have a synthetic proof 
of this theory ; and it occurred to us that if we could succeed in combining the syco- 
cerylic alcohol again with the radical of othyl (acetyl), and thus reproduce the original 
substance, which we have called acetate of sycoceryl, it would be the best possible con- 
firmation of our views. In order to test this, we accordingly brought cliloride of othyl 
(acetyl) in contact with sycocerylic alcohol. At ordinary temperatures no action took 
place ; but when a little heat was applied the alcohol was dissolved, and the liquid com- 
menced to boil, giving off copious fumes of hydrochloric acid. After the reaction had 
ceased heat was again applied, and the whole subjected to the boiling temperature for 
some time, in order to get rid of the excess of othyl. After cooling, the resulting pro- 
duct ivas boiled with v/ater, when a hea\y oily body separated. The boiling uith water 
was continued for some time, until at last the oily liquid became perfectly solid and 
beautifully crystalline ; indicating at once that a substance had been formed differing 
from the origmal alcohol, which, it will be remembered, is fiuid at the temperatime of 
boiling water. 
This white crystalline substance was now dissolved in boilmg alcohol, of which it 
required a considerable quantity, and subsequently allowed to cool. When almost the 
whole had dissolved a small quantity of a compound was left behind, which at last 
melted, being evidently a new substance, the probable product of the action of a small 
quantity of oxychloride of phosphorus which contaminated the chloride of othyl. 
On cooling, the filtered liquid commenced to crystallize, yielding beautiful iridescent 
flat prismatic crystals, which sparkled with the colours of the rainbow in the solution, 
