464 MR. G. B. BUCKTON AND DR. A. W. HOFMANN’S RESEARCHES ON THE 
It is from this fact chiefly that we infer the identity of the inflammable gas generated 
in the preparation of propionitriie with hydride of ethyl, 
C, Hed- 1 2Cl = C, Cle+eHCl. 
Hydride Sesqui- 
of ethyl. chloride of 
carbon. 
The oily liquid observed obviously consisted of the intermediate substitution-terms. 
These substauces are evidently secondary products of the decomposition of cyanide 
of ethyl, 
C. H, Cy+6HO=^, }c, 0«, 
Cyanide of Hydride of '■ y ^ 
ethyl. ethyl. Bicarbonate of 
ammonium. 
Cyanide of ammonium is likewise invariably present, prussic acid being generated 
by the action of water upon the cyanide of potassium, while alcohol is reproduced to 
a very considerable extent. Lastly, this process gives rise to a most remarkable 
body with a most insupportable prussic smell, the formation of which we have traced 
in a great variety of reactions. We have not completed the study of this compound. 
The method finally adopted for obtaining propionitriie in sufficient quantity for us 
to experiment upon was that recommended by Dr. Williamson, viz. the digestion of 
cyanide of potassium with iodide of ethyl in four volumes of alcohol as a vehicle. 
The presence of so much alcohol, from which the cyanide cannot be separated by 
rectification, on account of the similarity of their boiling-points, is an evil which 
unfortunately involves a series of tedious processes, namely, conversion of the nitrile 
into propionate of potassium, by the action of caustic potassa, separation of the alcohol 
by distillation, preparation of propionic ether, transformation of the latter into pro- 
pionamide by the action of ammonia under pressure, action of phosphoric acid upon 
propionamide to form the nitrile, and ultimately dehydration of the nitrile by means 
of anhydrous phosphoric acid. 
In preparing disulphetholic acid we have almost invariably employed propionamide, 
on account of its easier preparation. We have however established by experiment 
that propionitriie exhibits with sulphuric acid exactly the same deportment as pro- 
pionamide. To effect the transformation of the propionamide with success, it is 
necessary to employ this substance in a perfectly anhydrous condition. Unless this 
point be properly attended to, sulphuric acid produces principally sulphate of ammo- 
nium and propionic acid ; for this purpose the amide should be heated in a retort, and 
that portion only collected which passes over above the temperature of 210° C. 
Below this point the amide retains sufficient water to prevent perfect crystallization. 
On mixing equal volumes of melted amide and fuming sulphuric acid, very con- 
siderable heat is disengaged ; the temperature must be regularly maintained until 
carbonic acid ceases to be evolved and propionic acid no longer distils over. Some 
