MR. c. schorLeMmer or the normal paraffins. 
53 
Calculated 
for silver pentylate S1'67. 
Salt. 
Silver. 
Per cent, Ag. 
(1) Fraction — Small woolly needles 
0-0741 
0-0351 
49-16 
(2) „ „ „ „ 
0-1261 
0-0649 
51*48 
(3) „ „ „ „ 
0-1795 
0-0943 
52-53 
(4) „ „ „ „ 
0-2591 
0-1448 
55-89 
(5) „ „ _ „ „ 
0-2623 
0-1668 
63-59 
(6) ,, Glistening needles 
0-2716 
0-1741 
64-10 
Calculated for silver acetate . . 
64-67 
The analysis of the first fraction differs from the calculated percentage 1 '5 per cent. 
This is easily explained. I have already shown that the petroleum from which the 
heptane was obtained contains also an isoctane C 8 H 18 boiling only 15° higher than 
normal heptane. The latter undoubtedly contains some of the former, and its presence 
gives rise to the formation of a fatty acid containing more carbon than pentylic acid. 
That the latter acid is the normal compound was proved by converting it into 
calcium pentylate ; a cold saturated solution of this salt deposits on heating small 
glistening plates, which, after cooling, gradually dissolve again. 
As result of this investigation it appears that by the action of bromine on normal 
paraffins only secondary bromides of the general formula, 
G " "ch;} ch Br 
are produced, but not a trace of primary bromide, or that the methyl groups which are 
present in these hydrocarbons, and which are readily attacked by chlorine, are not 
touched by bromine at all. 
In addition, to the secondary bromides other products are formed, which on distilla- 
tion either decompose completely, or are resolved into hydrobromic acid and non- 
saturated hydrocarbons, which are probably olefines. The formation of these may be 
explained by assuming that besides the secondary bromides which I have described, 
others, which the theory indicates, are also formed, and that the latter, by the action 
of heat, split up into an olefine and hydrobromic acid. I have endeavoured to isolate 
these olefines, which I obtained mixed with paraffins, by adding bromine very carefully 
to the well-cooled mixture as long as its colour disappeared. The liquid, after being 
shaken with solid potash to remove free bromine and a little hydrobromic acid, was 
distilled by itself and with steam, but in both cases the bromides underwent complete 
decomposition, with the formation of a black mass and hydrobromic acid. 
1 hope, however, by continuing this research, to ascertain the nature of the products 
which are formed together with the volatile bromides. 
