ON/ SULPHUROUS iETHER. 
1S5 
ART. LI. — ON SULPHUROUS yETHER. 
By MM. Ebelmen and Bouquet. 
In the action of alcohol on the chloride of sulphur, a new 
aether, sulphurous aether, is produced under the following 
circumstances: — When absolute alcohol is poured over pro- 
tochloride of sulphur, disengagement of heat results, with 
formation of hydrochloric acid gas and a deposit of sulphur. 
On continuing to add alcohol until all reaction has ceased, 
and then distilling the mixture, there first passes over at 
about 176° an abundant product, which is nothing further 
than alcohol acidified by hydrochloric acid. On continuing 
the application of heat, the temperature of the liquid rises 
rapidly, and is rendered clear by the fusion of the sulphur 
which it held in suspension, becomes of a brownish-red 
colour, and parts between 302° and 338° with a product, 
which is collected separately. There remains in the retort 
a considerable deposit of fused sulphur. 
The liquid, distilled between 302° and 338°, having been 
rectified until its boiling-point remains constant, a limpid 
colourless fluid is obtained, of a peculiar aethereal odour, 
somewhat analogous to that of mint; its taste is at first cool- 
ing, then burning, and it has a sulphureous after-taste. It 
boils at 322°; its density is 1.085; it dissolves in every pro- 
portion in alcohol and in aether at 61°. Water causes a 
precipitate in these solutions, and redissolves the deposit 
only very slowly, acquiring a very strong odour of sulphur- 
ous acid. 
The aether, which had been prepared for some time and 
preserved in badly-corked bottles, likewise underwent an 
analogous decomposition from the action of the moist air. 
The analysis of this product has led to the formula SO 2 , 
C 4 H 5 0, which represents two volumes of vapour. The 
VOL. XI. — NO. III. 
17 
