29S 
SELECTED ARTICLES. 
As the solution of neutral chlorite of potassa cannot be con- 
centrated without decomposition, its spontaneous evaporation 
should produce formation of chlorate and chloride. In fact 
by allowing it to evaporate at the common temperature, under 
a large receiver in the presence of quicklime, I obtained a 
residue of chlorate and chloride nearly in the ratio of six parts 
of the former, to one of the latter, which induces me to be- 
lieve that the neutral chlorite of potassa, has the following 
composition: 
Ch 2 4 , KO, 
whence 
6Ch 2 4 K0 = 5Ch 2 * KO + Ch 2 K ; 
a formula which represents the results, and shows that for each 
atom of chloride, there are five of chlorate formed; the in- 
crease of the result of the decomposition of the chlorides of 
oxides. All the neutral chlorites that I have examined, sub- 
mitted to evaporation in the manner above described, leave a 
residue destitute of bleaching power, fusing on a live coal, and 
evolving chlorous acid only by the addition of concentrated 
sulphuric acid. 
We can now understand why the alkaline chlorites are more 
stable than the neutral; their composition is such that they 
cannot produce chlorates and chlorides; for we have: 
6Ch0 3 KO = 3Ch 2 K + 3Ch 2 ' KO — 3Ch 3 . 
It is no doubt for the same reason that we can evaporate 
the alkaline chlorides of potassa and soda to dryness without 
the production of chlorates and chlorides, which are always 
formed by the concentration of the neutral chlorides or those 
which do not change reddened litmus paper to blue, or preci- 
pitate a solution of corrosive sublimate. I have shown that 
we can by evaporating alkaline chloride of potassa even at 
50° Cen., obtain a dry, amorphous compound, which bleaches 
powerfully, and evolves much chlorine by the addition of the 
weakest acids. We thus see how many chemists have, by 
rapid evaporation, succeeded in obtaining a solid chloride of 
soda, while others have always failed in the attempt; the 
