282 
ACTION OF NITRIC ACID ON ALCOHOL, ETC. 
A concentrated aqueous solution of caustic potassa is with- 
out action on nitric ether ; but an alcoholic solution decom- 
poses it, even in the cold, and abundant crystals of nitrate 
of potassa are formed, without the least mixture of nitrite. 
Its odor is sweet and mild, but not resembling nitrous 
ether. 
Its taste, very sweet, leaving behind a slight bitterness. 
Its density, greater than water, is 1.112 at 17° C. (62° F.); 
it boils at 85° C. (185° F.) 
It burns with a very white, and bright flame. 
At a temperature little above its boiling point it is decom- 
posed. 
Concentrated nitric acid destroys nitric ether; and some 
attempts made to obtain nitrovinic acid, or the nitrovinates, 
were not satisfactory. 
Hydrochloric acid likewise destroys nitric ether, aqua 
regia being formed. 
Sulphuric acid containing an equivalent of water, dissolves 
one-fourth of its weight of nitric ether, without, if the ether 
be gradually added, any phenomena appearing at first; but 
after a short time the mixture gives off vapours of nitric acid, 
and still later, heats greatly with the production of nitric ox- 
ide ; the sulphuric acid blackens, and all the ether is de- 
stroyed. 
Iodine dissolves in the ether, and communicates a beautiful 
violet color. 
Chlorine attacks it promptly ; hut I could not separate any 
definite product as the result of this action ; whether that the 
chlorine produced a complete separation of the elements, or 
the hydrochloric acid formed likewise, entered into the ac- 
tion, and complicated the phenomena. 
Nitric ether is wholly insoluble in water ; one thousand 
parts does not essentially diminish one part of the ether ; on 
the contrary, it dissolves in every proportion in alcohol, 
from which it is readily precipitated by a small quantity of 
water. 
