COMBINATIONS OF THE ALKALOIDS WITH TARTARIC ACID. 155 
ON SOME COMBINATIONS OF THE ALKALOIDS WITH TAKTAKIC 
ACID. 
By M. Arppe. 
Tartrate of Morphine, C 35 H 20 NO 6 , HO, C 4 H 2 O 5 .— When mor- 
phine is added to a solution of bitartrate of potash until the solu- 
tion is neutral, some bitartrate of potash first separates, and then 
tartrate of morphine, while neutral tartrate of potash remains in 
the solution. When morphine is digested with a solution of tar- 
taric acid until the liquid has a neutral re-action, verrucoid groups 
of crystals, similar to the preceding, and consisting of concentri- 
cally-arranged groups of needles, separate on slow evaporation. 
They effloresce externally at about 68° F., but do not part with 
the entire amount of their water of crystallization below 266°. 
The salt is readily soluble in water, and likewise in alcohol. 
Neither caustic nor carbonated alkalies cause a precipitate in the 
aqueous solution ; and the same is the case with chloride of cal- 
cium, unless the solution is mixed with caustic potash ; ammonia 
does not behave in this respect like potash. The most remarkable 
property of this salt is, that, on being heated to 266°-284°, it ex- 
hibits electrical polarity, which it retains for more than an hour 
after it has become perfectly cold. A small granule of the efflo- 
resced salt is gradually projected several inches. The same phe- 
nomenon is exhibited every time it is heated. The salt prepared 
with bitartrate of potash contained 6.824 per cent, of water, the 
other 6'496, 6.553, 6*41 ; the above formula requires 6'853 per 
cent. Laurents formula, C 34 H 19 NO 5 , gives a much greater differ- 
ence in the amount of water. 
Bitartrate of Morphine, C 5 H 20 NO 6 , HO + 2C 4 H 2 O 5 , HO 
(dried,) crystallizes readily from acid solutions, being far more so- 
luble than the neutral salt. It is obtained by mixing the base and 
acid in equivalent proportions, &c. in smooth rectangular prisms. 
The salt loses 2 per cent, of water before it begins to be decom- 
posed, which takes place below 284°. On cautiously applying 
heat, a small portion may be melted without decomposition. When 
dried in the air, the salt contains one more equivalent of water 
than is given in the above formula ; it loses up to 212o, 1*99 per 
