PREPARATION OF VALERIANATE OF ZINC. 243 
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ART. LI II. — ON A NEW PROCESS FOR THE PREPARATION OF 
VALERIANATE OF ZINC. Suggested by M. Brun-Buisson, and 
perfected by M. J. Lefort of Gaknat. 
Since the great rmmbei of observations that have been 
directed to the best manner of preparing valerianic acid 
with a view to medicine, much light has been thrown upon 
the subject, and it has been satisfactorily shown that this 
acid is a result of the oxidation of the volatile oil. 
M. Gerhardt was the first to observe that the volatile oil 
of valerian, when exposed to the air, gave valerianic acid. 
Taking advantage of this hint, M. Brun-Buisson ascertained 
that when the distilled water of valerian was exposed to 
the air for t a month it yielded a much larger product 
of the zinc salt than when saturated immediately after dis- 
tillation, and that a kilogramme (about 2$ lbs.) of valerian 
would yield sufficient acid for 15 grammes (3| drachms) 
of valerianate of zinc, 
M. Lefort observes* that he had on several occasions re- 
peated the suggestion of M. Brun-Buisson. and obtained 
similar results, and it occurred to him that a more rapid 
mode of oxidizing the volatile oil might be resorted to than 
exposure to the air, which was satisfactorily proven by the 
result of the following process: 
Take of Valerian root (as recent as possible) 100 pts. or oz. 
" Water, 500 " 
" Sulphuric acid, - - 10 " 
" Bichromate of potassa, - - 6 " 
The valerian in coarse powder was macerated for twenty- 
four hours in the water to which had been previously 
added the bichromate and sulphuric acid, in the boiler of the 
alembic, when the distillation was commenced. The first 
Jour, de Pharm. et de Chimie, tome X., p. 194. 
