68 
Selected Articles. 
sulphuric acid. With the assistance of a slight heat, a gas is 
obtained which may be collected under water, and which is 
the pure hydrochlorate of methylene. 
This gas has an etherial odour ; burns with a fine green 
flame; water dissolves of it 2.8 of its volume at 16 C; its 
formula is represented by C 4 H 4 irCH 3 . It is decomposed in 
passing through a porcelain tube, heated to redness, pro- 
ducing hydrochloric acid and a carburetted gas, which is 
methylene that has not been obtained pure by this process. 
HYDRIODATE OF METHYLENE. 
This is prepared by distilling one part of iodine, eight of 
phosphorus and 12 of spirit of wood. It is in the form of a 
colourless liquid, the specific gravity of which at 22° C. is 
2.237 ; it boils at 50°. According to the analysis that they 
have made, it is represented by C 4 H 4 PH 3 . 
Action of the Acids upon Spirit of Wood. 
SULPHATE OF METHYLENE. 
If one part of spirit of wood, and eight or ten of sulphuric 
acid at 66°, be distilled together, an oily liquid more dense 
than water is obtained. This ether properly rectified, is 
colourless, having an alliaceous odour, a specific gravity at 
22° of 1.324 ; it boils at 188°. Its formula is H 2 0,C 4 H 4 I0 s . 
It is a true neutral sulphate of methylene, with an atom of 
water. With the acid of this compound, all the combina- 
tions of methylene may be produced ; with cyanuret of potash 
it gives sulphate of potash and hydrochlorate of mythelene, 
or hydrocyanic ether. 
NITRATE OF METHYLENE. 
This is obtained in distilling together one part of nitrate of 
potash in powder, one part of spirit of wood, and two of sul- 
phuric acid. Distil the product obtained in a water bath. 
Thus you have a colourless liquid, of the specific gravity 
1.182, which burns readily with a yellow flame; heated in a 
tube, it detonates with violence. M. M. Dumas and Peligot 
were hurt by the result of this detonation. 
Its formula is H 2 OC 4 H 4 A 2 5 ; heated with potash, spirit of 
wood, and nitrate of potash are obtained. 
