460  A  NEW  METHOD  OF  PRODUCING  ALDEHYDES. 
A  NEW  METHOD  OF  PRODUCING  ALDEHYDES. 
By  M.  Carstanjin. 
The  different  processes  for  preparing  aldehydes  consist  es- 
sentially in — ■ 
1st.  The  oxidation  of  alcohols. 
2d.  The  oxidation  of  nitrogenised  matters,  such  as  albumen; 
gelatine,  &c. 
3d.  The  dry  distillation  of  salts  from  fatty  acids. 
4th.  The  same  distillation  conducted  with  that  of  the  for- 
miates  of  lime  and  baryta. 
5th.  The  distillation  of  albuminoid  substances. 
6th.  The  dehydration  of  glycols. 
On  the  strength  of  several  observations,  the  author  thinks 
himself  justified  in  laying  it  down  as  a  general  fact  that  an  al- 
dehyde is  always  to  be  obtained  by  submitting  an  ammoniacal 
base  to  a  proper  oxidation.  Among  them  is  the  acetic  aldehyde 
CJIiOz  rapidly  developed  when  ethylamine  is  poured  on  crys- 
tallized permanganate  of  potash.  At  first  violet,  the  liquid 
turns  green,  develops  heat  on  shaking,  becomes  brown  with 
effervescence,  and  finally  evolves  the  aldehyde,  so  perceptible 
by  its  odor.  The  gas  of  the  reaction  passed  into  an  ammonia- 
cal solution  of  silver,  promptly  reduces  it,  forming  a  metallic 
silver  mirror. 
With  methylamine  he  has  obtained  a  strongly  reducing  gas- 
eous compound  like  the  above,  and,  like  it,  capable  of  forming 
a  crystalline  compound  with  ammonia.  He  has  not  analysed 
it,  but  believes  it  to  be  the  hitherto  unfound  aldehyde  of  me- 
thyle. 
With  trimethylamine  a  compound  is  produced  which  the 
author  believes  to  be  identical  or  isomeric  with  propylamine. — 
Chem,  News,  London,  June  4,  1864,  from  Journal  de  Fharm.  et 
de  Chimie. 
