118 
Composition  of  Hydrangin. 
/Am.  Jour.Pharm. 
I      March,  1889. 
ored  reddish,  and  to  remove  coloring  matter  was  treated  with  chloro- 
form, which  solvent  also  extracted  some  of  the  principle.  The  acid 
solution  was  next  treated  with  ether,  and  upon  evaporation  the  slightly 
reddish  colored  hydrangin  was  deposited.  To  further  purify,  it  was 
dissolved  in  absolute  alcohol  and  treated  with  animal  charcoal.  This 
colorless  solution  was  then  evaporated  under  reduced  pressure,  and  upon 
recrystallization  from  the  same  solvent,  the  principle  was  deposited  in 
well-defined  stellate  clusters  of  pure  white  crystals.  The  drug  used 
was  apparently  of  poor  quality,  the  yield  being  only  0*08  p.  c;  it  was 
stated  by  Mr.  Bondurant  to  probably  contain  about  0*8  to  1  per  cent, 
of  the  glucoside. 
Some  of  the  crystals  were  pulverized  and  dried  over  sulphuric  acid. 
On  heating  to  110°C,  no  loss  occurred,  showing  absence  of  water  of 
crystallization.    Tests  for  nitrogen  gave  negative  results. 
Four  combustions  with  cupric  oxide  gave  following  results. — 
1. 
2. 
3. 
4. 
mean 
Calculated  for 
(C34H25011)X^ 
c. 
67.05 
66-85 
66-97 
66-84 
66-93 
66-99 
H. 
4-03 
4-05 
4-31 
4-19 
4-14 
4-10 
0. 
28-92 
29-10 
28-72 
28-97 
28-93 
28-91 
Experiments  on  the  physical  and  chemical  properties  of  hydrangin 
compared  well  with  those  stated  by  Mr.  Bondurant,  with  but  few  ex- 
ceptions. Its  melting  point  was  found  to  be  228  °C,  instead  of  235°C, 
and  the  solidifying  point  at  217°C.  Mention  was  also  made  that 
hydrangin  dissolves  in  concentrated  sulphuric  acid  without  color.  On  dis- 
solving a  portion  in  concentrated  H2S04,  a  distinct  violet  red  fluorescence 
was  observed,  although  not  quite  as  strong  at  that  produced  by  an 
alkali,  which  is  intense  opal  blue.  On  addition  of  5  volumes  of  water 
to  the  solution  in  H2  S04,  the  fluorescence  was  destroyed ;  the  addi- 
tion of  ammonia  to  the  same  solution  destroyed  the  color  also,  but  on 
neutralizing  the  solution,  the  characteristic  opal  blue  fluorescence  re- 
appeared. The  substance  was  also  found  to  be  soluble  in  80  per  cent, 
acetic  acid  with  slight  fluorescence,  which  became  more  decided  on 
dilution  with  5  to  10  volumes  of  water. 
The  decomposition  product  of  hydrangin,  obtained  by  boiling  with 
a  dilute  acid,  was  found  to  be  soluble  in  chloroform,  which  deposited 
it  as  a  brownish  resin-like  body. 
