280 
ACTION OF NITRIC ACID ON ALCOHOL, ETC. 
picion, that the production of nitrous acid, would likewise 
modify the oxidation of organic suhstances, by means of 
nitric acid. In fact, I have succeeded in changing com- 
pletely the action of nitric acid on alcohol, by preventing 
the production of nitrous acid. To effect this it is only ne- 
cessary to add a little nitrate of urea, to the mixture of acid 
and alcohol ; there will then be obtained, by a naked fire, a 
calm and regular distillation, instead of the tumultuous action 
which characterizes the ordinary action of nitric acid on al- 
cohol ; and the numerous products, among which nitrous 
ether is preeminent, are replaced by a single new product, 
nitric ether, which passes into the receiver, accompanied by 
alcohol and water. 
The nitric acid should be carefully purified ; the presence 
of hydrochloric acid renders the nitrate of urea totally inef- 
fectual, and the common action of nitric acid and alcohol 
will result. 
The proportions of acid and alcohol are not indifferent; the 
operation always succeeds very well, by taking one measure 
of concentrated nitric acid, containing 4^ equivalents of 
water, density 1.401, and 2 measures of alcohol of 35°, ma- 
king nearly an equal weight of acid and alcohol. 
If equal measures of acid and alcohol be used, the nitate 
of urea will again fail. 
It is, besides, proper not to act on too large a quantity of 
material, and the mixture should not exceed 150 or 200 
grammes ; one or two grammes of nitrate of urea will then 
be sufficient to regulate the process. 
The heating should be moderate ; the first product of the 
distillation is weak alcohol; but the nitric ether soon becomes 
perceptible by its peculiar odor, and on adding water to the 
distilled product, separates as a liquid heavier than water. 
After some time, the nitric ether is so abundant, as to form 
a dense layer in the receiver. 
If the process be pushed until all the mixture of the alco- 
hol and acid in the retort has been drawn off, then the tu- 
