THE  AMERICAN 
JOURNAL  OF  PHARMACY. 
AUGUST,  1888. 
OXY  SALTS  OF  BISMUTH. 
By  Frank  X.  Moerk,  Ph.  G. 
Contribution  from  the  Chemical  Laboratory,  Philadelphia  College  of  Pharmacy. 
While  attention  has  frequently  been  called  to  the  high  percentage 
of  oxide  which  is  yielded  by  the  commercial  subnitrate,  the  formula. 
(BiO)2  CO3.H2O  appears  to  be  accepted  as  representing  the  composi- 
tion of  the  subcarbonate. 
Some  recent  analyses  of  these  compounds  may  be  of  interest,  although 
no  attempt  was  made  to  represent  the  different  makes. 
These  were  examined  for : 
Moisture,  by  drying  at  140°C.  for  1 J  hours.  It  was  ascertained  by 
analysis  that  the  nitric  acid  or  nitric  oxide  was  not  volatilized  at  this 
temperature. 
Nitric  oxide,  by  boiling  with  excess  of  decinormal  XaOH  for  one 
hour  and  then  titrating  the  excess  of  NaOH  with  decinormal  oxalic 
acid.  Every  cc.  NaOH  represents  0"0054  NgO^.  Phenolphthalein 
was  used  as  the  indicator.  If  other  acids  are  present,  this  method 
furnishes  high  results,  but  in  the  samples  examined  only  traces  of 
HCl  were  found.    Bismuth  oxide  was  determined  by  ignition. 
BISMUTH  STJBNITEATE. 
BiONOs-HaO 
No.  1. 
No.  2. 
No.  3. 
No.  4. 
H2O. 
5-88 
2-  95 
3-  02 
3-62 
2-35 
17-64 
15-  98 
16-  20 
16-04 
15-77 
BiaOa 
76-47 
80-96 
80-70 
80-  85 
81-  85 
HCl. 
HCl 
H2CO3  and  HCl. 
Impmities.. 
25 
