44 
ALCOHOL, SPIRIT OF WOOD, AND ETHERS. 
ric ether. When we operate with an excess of the chloride, 
hydrochloric ether is the sole product, and may then be ob- 
tained at the temperature of 85° or 90°. The ether is not al- 
ways disengaged in a free state; for on operating with the vola- 
tile chlorides, it is frequently obtained, and especially towards 
the end of the distillations, in combination with these chlo- 
rides. 
By distilling a mixture of 100 parts of perchloride of tin 
with 53.79 parts of absolute alcohol, or 2 atoms perchloride 
to 3 atoms alcohol, the largest proportion of ether is obtained. 
The most suitable proportion of perchloride of iron is, 100 
perchloride and 57.82 absolute alcohol, or 1 atom perchloride 
to 2 atoms alcohol. When a larger amount of alcohol than 
above indicated is used, the excess distils over previous to the 
formation of ether. 
The presence of some water may render a modification of 
these proportions necessary, but will not prevent etherification 
from taking place. 
Mixtures of absolute alcohol and perchloride of tin or an- 
hydrous perchloride of iron, made in the proportions repre- 
sented by the formulas, 2SnCl 4 , 3C 4 H 1 *0» and Fe 2 Cl G , 
2C 14 H l2 2 , may be preserved several da)^s in vacuo without 
loss and without change. 
The formation of ethereal compounds takes place under or- 
dinary circumstances, corresponding to those which accompa- 
ny the formation of alcoholic compounds. On mixing 100 
parts of perchloride of tin with 57.88 parts of absolute ether, 
or 1 atom perchloride and 2 of ether, and placing this mixture 
in vacuo at common temperatures, an excess of free ether vo- 
latilises, amounting to one-fourth of the quantity used, so that 
there remains a compound having the formula 2Sn 4 3C 4 H 1 °0. 
When this product is heated in vacuo to 40° or 50°, it distills 
and condenses in the neck of the retort, in the state of fine 
brilliant crystals, under the form of rhomboidal tables. 
Etherification has been produced by the action of heat on the 
alcoholic compounds of perchloride of antimony, chloride of 
zinc, and chloride of aluminium. The last yields hydrochloric 
