[ ] 
XX. Researches on the Action of Sulphuric Acid upon the Amides and Nitriles, 
together with Remarks upon the Conjugate Sulpho-acids. By George B. Buck- 
ton, Esq., F.L.S., F.C.S., and A, W. Hofmann, LL.D., Ph.D., F.R.S. 8 fc. 
Received May 13, — Read June 12, 1856, 
Ever since the experiments of Dumas, Malaguti and Leblanc on the one hand, 
and those of Kolbe and Frankland on the other, have established the identity of the 
hydrocyanic ethers with the nitriles, it has been a favourite problem with chemists to 
reproduce the alcohols from these bodies, the solution of which would afford a passage 
from an acid, Cna O4, to an alcohol, C„2_2 Hn2 
We have been likewise engaged with this question. The deportment of hydro- 
cyanic acid (formonitrile) under the influence of concentrated sulphuric acid, which, 
as is well known, gives rise to an evolution of carbonic oxide, suggested an exami- 
nation of the other nitriles in a similar direction. There appeared to be a chance of 
producing in this manner from a nitrile, the sulphovinic acid of an alcohol containing 
two equivalents of carbon less than the nitrile. Acetonitrile, for instance, might 
have been thus converted either into sulphate of methylammonium or into sulpho- 
methylate of ammonium. 
HC2N-I-2HO+H2 8203=200-1- 
Hydrocyanic acid. 
NH 
S.O3 
Bisulphate of ammonium. 
H 
C2 H3 C2N-I-2HO-I-H2S2 08=2C0-|-<^ N/H3 
~v~ 
Acetonitrile, or Cyanide of methyl. 
I 
C.H3 
1 
)l 
82 O3 
Bisulphate of methylammonium. 
or =200-1- 
NH^I 
C.H3J 
80 Oo 
Methylosulphate of ammonium. 
Experiment has corroborated neither of these anticipations. This reaction gives 
rise to the formation of a remarkable conjugate sulpho-acid, which maybe considered 
as the type of a most extensive class of analogous compounds, some isolated terms 
of which have been met with already in previous investigations. 
Before, however, detailing the conditions under which these new bodies are formed, 
it may not be unacceptable to make a few statements regarding the most efficient 
3 o 2 
