ON  SEBACIC  ACID. 
553 
upon  it  only  under  the  influence  of  the  solar  rays ;  it  gives  rise 
to  two  products  of  substitution,  which  are  represented  by  the 
formula  0>°  Q")  O8  and  C20  (q^)O8.     These  two  products 
are  of  a  yellow  color,  and  of  a  pasty  consistence  at  ordinary 
temperatures. 
Treated  with  nitric  acid,  sebacic  acid  furnishes  succinic  acid. 
A  certain  number  of  salts  formed  by  sebacic  acid  have  been 
submitted  to  analysis ;  their  composition  confirms  that  which  has 
been  given  for  the  acid.  The  formation  of  acid  sebates  has  been 
proved ;  these,  with  the  exception  of  sebate  of  ammonia,  are  very 
readily  decomposable. 
A  new  ether  has  been  prepared,  the  sebacic  ether  of  wood 
spirit,  or  methylosebacic  ether,  C20H16Ofi,  2(C2  H3  0).  This 
substance  is  readily  obtained  by  the  following  process : — A  cer- 
tain quantity  of  sebacic  acid  is  dissolved  in  concentrated  sulphu- 
ric acid,  which  is  readily  effected  without  any  elevation  of  tem- 
perature ;  wood-spirit  is  then  poured  by  little  and  little  into  the 
solution,  shaking  the  mixture,  and  keeping  it  in  cold  water  to 
avoid  elevation  of  temperature  ;  a  large  quantity  of  water  is  then 
added  to  separate  the  ether  produced,  which  is  washed  first  with 
slightly  alkaline  water,  and  afterwards  with  pure  water ;  lastly, 
it  is  purified  by  crystallization  in  alcohol.  Methylosebacic  ether 
is  solid  at  ordinary  temperatures  ;  it  fuses  at  78°  F.,  and  crystal- 
lizes in  beautiful  needles  during  solidification.  It  is  heavier 
than  water  when  solid,  but  lighter  when  fused ;  its  density  con- 
sequently differs  very  little  from  that  of  water.  It  has  a  very 
faint  odor ;  at  545°  F.  it  boils  without  alteration.  It  is  decom- 
posed by  potash,  giving  sebate  of  potash  and  wood-spirit. 
The  sebacic  ether  of  ordinary  alcohol,  C20H16O6,  2(C4H50), 
has  also  been  analysed.  This  substance  is  fluid  at  a  temperature 
above  16°  F.;  it  is  lighter  than  water,  and  boils  at  a  temperature 
of  496°  F. 
Lastly,  I  have  repeated  Rowney's  experiments  upon  sebamide 
and  sebamic  acid,  preparing  sebamide  by  the  action  of  ammonia 
upon  methylosebacic  ether,  as  shown  by  the  following  formulae  : 
C2oHig06  j2(C3  H3  0)+2NH3  =2C2  H4  O2  +C20H20N2  O4 . 
Methylosebacic  ether.  Wood-spirit.  Sebamide. 
I  have  also  proved  the  conversion  of  sebamide  into  sebamate 
