162

Chemical Notices from Foreign Sources.

CHEMICAL NEWS,

{: April 10, 1879.

if they came back, as I thought they might possibly be | CHEMICAL NOTICES FROM FOREIGN due to other causes. However, she would not.

To the Editor of the Chemical News. SIR,-With reference to the methods for the manufacture of potassium iodide as described by E. Schering (CHEMICAL NEWS, vol. xxxix., p. 118), he very justly ascribes the chief objection to the process in which iodine is introduced into caustic potassa and fused with carbon, to be the difficulty of obtaining caustic potassa of sufficient purity, the presence of sulphate and soda salts being most objectionable. A caustic potash practically free from these and other impurities has hitherto been unobtainable at a commercial price, and the introduction of such an article suitable for the manufacture of potassium iodide and other industries has long been a desideratum in the chemical world. This difficulty has but lately been removed by the manufacture on the large scale of caustic potash at St. Helens, by the Greenbank Alkali Works Company, of a purity which leaves nothing to be desired, a sample which recently came under my notice possessing total impurities under one per cent, of which only o2 was in the form of sodium hydrate. The removal of the difficulty of obtaining a caustic potash of the necessary purity being removed, the process as described above for the manufacture of potassium iodide appears to me to be the simplest and best, and having at one time been engaged in the manufacture of the article, I can therefore speak with some experience.—I am, &c.,

St. Helens, April 3, 1879.

A. R. GARRICK, Ph.D., F.I.C.

OBITUARY.

J. M. MERRICK.

WE regret to announce the death of Mr. J. M. Merrick, of Boston, U.S., who was an occasional contributor to our columns. Mr. Merrick died on the 25th day of February last, at the early age of forty-one years. In his professional life he had gained the respect of all who knew him by his uprightness of character and the ready courtesy with which he imparted his knowledge to other members of the chemical profession.

SOURCES.

Comptes Rendus Hebdomadaires des Séances, l'Académie de

without

des Sciences. No. 11, March 17, 1879. New Experiments on Telephones Diaphragm.-M. Ader.-The author's experiments demonstrate the truth of the opinion of M. du Moncel concerning the origin of the sounds reproduced in the telephone.

New Combinations of Hydrochloric Acid with Ammonia.-L. Troost.-The author remarks that hydrochloric acid and ammonia have hitherto been obtained only in the proportions which form sal-ammoniac, analogous to common salt. No hydrochlorate of this chloride has yet been discovered, nor an ammonic hydrochlorate with excess of base. He has discovered a great number of curious compounds formed by dry ammonia with hydrochloric acid, hydrosulphuric acid, and other acids, both mineral and organic. He takes ammoniacal gas absolutely dry and free from every trace of compound ammonias, saturates it with pure dry hydrochloric acid, and submits the sal-ammoniac thus obtained and distilled in a close vessel to the action of a large excess of gaseous ammonia, refrigerating to different degrees. He thus obtains two well-defined compounds, characterised by their point of fusion, their crystalline structure, and their tension of dissociation. The former of these, tetra-ammonic hydrochlorate, HC1,4NH3, melts at +7o, and its crystals depolarise light powerfully. The other compound, hepta-ammonic hydrochlorate, HCl,7NH3, melts

at -18°.

Combinations of Hydrogen Phosphide with Cuprous Chloride and its Determination in Gaseous Mixtures.-J. Riban.-The compound Cu2Cl2,2PH3, chloride of cuproso-diphosphonium, is obtained by slowly passing hydrogen phosphide into a solution of cuprous chloride, refrigerated by means of ice. Hydrogen phosphide present in gaseous mixtures may be determined by agitation along with a solution of cuprous chloride in hydrochloric acid.

The Crystalline Forms of the Compounds of the Stanmethyls and of their Homologues.-M. Hiortolahl. Not susceptible of useful abstraction.

New Method of Treating Iron and Copper Pyrites in the Dry Way.-L. Simonin.-An account of J. Hollway's experiments.

The State in which the Precious Metals are found in some of their Combinations, in Ores, Rocks, and Artificial Products.-E. Cumenge and Edmond Fuchs.

The authors find that in certain pyrites gold is found not native but in combination with antimony, and is incapable of being taken up by mercury.

Constitution of Coal.-E. Guignet.-The author on treating dry powdered coal with phenol has extracted as much as 4 per cent of a brown matter. If coal in very oxalic acid and trinitro-resorcin are distinctly recogfine powder is treated in a cohobator with nitric acid, nisable among the products. Resorcin was not detected in the coa

An Electric Blowpipe.-M. Jamin.-The author remarks that the electric arc which plays between two carbon conductors is a true current. If submitted to the influence of a neighbouring current, of a solenoid, or of a magnet, it experiences an action regulated by the laws of Alcoholic Fermentation.-P. Schützenberger and A. Ampère, identical with that experienced by any metallic Destrem.-If yeast is placed in such conditions as to conductor put in its place, but as its mass is exceedingly prevent its development and multiplication it nevertheless trifling its speed is considerable. The author takes preserves its power of decomposing sugar, and if it acts advantage of this fact to submit small quantities of upon sugar it de-assimilates more nitrogen than if prematter to an intense heat. By causing the arc to be served in presence of water without sugar and oxygen. driven upon lime, magnesia, or zirconia the light is directed downwards, and its intensity is increased least three-fold.-Comptes Rendus.

Determination of Glucose in Blood.-P. Cazeneuve. at-The author criticises the method of determination followed by C. Bernard as the progress of the reduction of

NEWS

the cupro-potassic liquid is often uncertain when the reaction approaches its limit. It is also reduced by other principles present in the blood. The author thinks that glycemia should be studied anew when a more accurate analytical procedure has been devised.

Derivatives of Normal Methyl-oxyl-butyric Acid. -E. Duvillier.-An account of the methyl-oxyl-butyrates of ethyl and methyl and of methyl-oxy-butyramid.

Nature of the Albumen of Hydrocele.-M. Bechamp. -Three distinct albumens are present different from

blood albumen.

Modifications of the Physical Properties of Starch. -F. Musculus.-Amylaceous matter may exist either in the colloid or the crystalloid state. When crystalline it is soluble even in cold water.

action of sulphuretted hydrogen upon glyoxylic acid in presence of silver oxide.

Mineral Waters near Buda Pest.-M. Ballo.-This memoir may possibly be of medical interest.

The object of this communication is to throw light Studies in the Naphthalin Series.-Raphael Meldola. upon the constitution of the naphthalin derivatives. The author gives an account of dibrom-acet-naphthalide.

Sulph-etheric Acids of the Phenols.-E. Baumann In describing the sulpho-cresolic acids, the author remarks that the sulpho-para-cresolate of potassium is a constant ingredient in the urine of horses and probably also of other mammals.

Bromo-acetic Ethyl-ether.-F. Kessel.-A lengthy memoir, not adapted for abstraction.

Action of Dry Ammonium Sulphate_upon Dry Barium-ethyl Sulphate in Presence of Baryta.-H.

Berichte der Deutschen Chemischen Gesellschaft zu Berlin, Kohler.-The author obtains ethyl-amin, but in small

No. 15, 1879.

The Chloranilins.-F. Beilstein and A. Kurbatow.

quantity only.

An account of the di-, tri-, and tetra-chloranilins. The Hydrochloric Acid.-H. Koehler. The products formed Decomposition of Ethyl-sulphates by Gaseous authors propose to found the nomenclature of these comare free sulphuric acid, barium sulphate, and chlor-ethyl. pounds on the relative position of the chlorine atoms. Para-di-propyl-benzol and Certain of its Deriva--The author confirms the statements of Miller concernTropæolin as an Alkalimetric Indicator.-Dr. Lunge. tives.-H. Körner.-An account of sulpho-para-di-propylbenzolic acid with its lead, barium, and calcium salts; of ing the use of tropaolin OO for the titration of sodium dinitro-para-di-propyl-benzol, and of propyl-benzoic acid. carbonate, and for determining the free acid in alumina. Not merely the carbonate but sodium sulphide (in the Determination of Vapour-Densities.-V. Meyer.- crystalline state) may be accurately titrated in the cold Not intelligible without the accompanying engraving. with sulphuric acid, using tropaolin as indicator. On Occurrence of Furfutol in Commercial Glacial the slightest excess of acid appearing, the yellowish Acetic Acid.-V. Meyer.-The author has found that colour changes at once to a magenta and then to orange, glacial acetic acid, represented as containing from 99 to which after a few seconds disappears entirely. 100 per cent of real acid and apparently of unexceptional pæolin 000 undergoes the reversed play of colour, being quality, assumed a splendid red colour on contact with yellow in acid solution, but turning to a magenta-red in aniline, but lost this property on distillation with chromic alkalies. acid. This colouration was due to the presence of furfurol of which 0.108 grm. was found per litre of acid.

Variability of the Colouring-matter of Red Wine. -J. Erdmann.-The author traces decided differences in the behaviour of genuine wine of one and the same growth according to its age.

Spectroscopic Researches on the Constitution of Solutions.-H. Burger.-In this paper the author communicates merely his methods of observation.

Malabar Gum Kino and a New Compound, Kinoin. -C. Etti.-The author added kino to twice its weight of boiling dilute hydrochloric acid (15). Kino-red separates out as a soft mass, which slowly hardens on cooling, while the kinoin remains in solution, contaminated with a little kino-red. When purified it crystallises in colourless well-formed prisms, sparingly soluble in cold water, readily at a boil, and very easily in alcohol of every concentration. The solution is not precipitated by glue and is coloured red by ferric chloride. The composition of kinoin is C14H12O6.

Mono- and Diphenyl-arsenic Compounds.-W. La Coste and A. Michalis.-The readiness with which phosphenyl chloride can be obtained from phosphorus chloride and benzol induced the authors to examine if this reaction could not be generalised so as to serve for the preparation | of the corresponding arsenical compounds.

Tri-phenyl-arsin and its Derivatives.-W. La Coste and A. Michalis.

Mono-tolyl-arsenic Compounds.-W. La Coste and A. Michalis.-These two papers may be regarded as continuations of the foregoing.

Schizomycetic Fermentations.-An examination of the fermentations of erythrite, glycerin, mannite, citrate of lime, malate of lime, &c., infected with cow-dung, infusion of hay, and certain varieties of purulent matter. Thioglycolic and Thiodiglycolic Ethers.-C. Böttinger. The author has obtained these products by the

Reimann's Färber Zeitung,
No. 11, 1879.

Tro.

acid and from a-chlor-propionic acid is evidence for the EXPERIMENTAL

Communications from the Chemical Laboratory of the University of Kasan.-These consist of papers on Allyl-dipropyl-carbinol, by P. and A. Saytzeff; and on Allyl-di-ethyl-carbinol, by A. Schirokoff and A. Saytzeff. LECTURE NOTES Action of Tertiary Butyl-iodide on Isobutylen in Presence of Metallic Oxides.-J. Lermontoff.-Not susceptible of useful abstraction.

Tetra-methyl-ethylen and its Derivatives, and the Chemical Structure of Pinakon.-D. Pawlow.-Not suitable for abstraction.

made the subject of study by the lecturer during the last ten years, and some of the earlier results published by him in connection with this subject also led to the pursuit of experimental inquiries of analogous character by Champion and Pellet and others.

Some of the chief results attained by Mr. Abel's experiments may be briefly summarised.

It was found that the susceptibility to detonation, as initiative detonation, is not confined to gun-cotton, nitrodistinguished from explosion, through the agency of an glycerin, and preparations containing those substances, but that it is shared, though in very different degrees, by all explosive compounds and mixtures.

AMONG the many explosive preparations which have during the last thirty years been proposed as substitutes for gunpowder, on account of greater violence and other special merits claimed for them, not one has yet competed with it successfully as a propelling agent, nor even as a safe and sufficiently reliable explosive agent for use in shells; for industrial applications and for very important military or naval uses, dependent upon the destructive effects of explosives, it has had, however, to give place, to a very im-chanical force thus suddenly brought to bear upon some portant extent, and in some instances altogether, to preparations gun-cotton and nitro-glycerin.

It was demonstrated that the detonation of nitroglycerin and other bodies, through the agency of an initiative detonation, is not ascribable simply to the direct operation of the heat developed by the chemical changes of the charge of detonating material, and that the remarkable property possessed by the sudden explosion of small quantities of certain bodies (the mercuric and silver fulminates) to accomplish the detonation of nitro-glycerin and gun-cotton, is accounted for satisfactorily by the me part of the mass operated upon. Most generally, therefore, the degree of facility with which the detonation of a Bute appeared little prospect that either gun- substance will develop similar change in a neighbouring cotton or nitro-glycerin, whether used in their most simple explosive substance, may be regarded as proportionate to conditions or in the forms of various preparations, would the amount of force developed within the shortest period assume positions of practical importance as explosive of time by that detonation, the latter being in fact analoagents of reliable, and therefore uniformly efficient, cha-gous in its operation to that of a blow from a hammer or racter, until the system of developing their explosive force of the impact of a projectile. through the agency of a detonation, instead of through the simple agency of heat, was elaborated.

Before the first step in this important advance in the application of explosive agents was made by Alfred Nobel, about twelve years ago, the very variable behaviour of such substances as gun-cotton and nitro-glycerin, when exposed to the heat necessary for their ignition under comparatively slight modifications of attendant conditions (e.g., as regards the completeness and strength of confinement or the position of the source of heat with reference to the main mass of the material to be exploded) rendered them uncertain in their action, and at any rate, only applicable under circumstances which confined their usefulness within narrow limits. The employment by Nobel of an initiative detonation, produced by the ignition of small quantities of mercuric fulminate or other powerful detonating substances, strongly confined, for developing the violent explosion, or detonation, of nitro-glycerin, opened a new field for the study of explosive substances, and the first practical fruit was the successful application of plastic preparations of nitro-glycerin and of compact forms of compressed gun-cotton, with simplicity and certainty, to the production of destructive effects much more considerable than could be accomplished through the agency of much larger amounts of gunpowder, applied under the most favourable conditions. Whereas very strong confinement has been essential for the complete explosion of these substances, so long as the only known means of bringing about their explosion consisted simply of the application of fire or sufficient heat, no confinement whatever is needed for the development, with certainty, of a decidedly more violent explosive action thn they are capable of exerting when thus applied, if the are detonated by submitting some small portion of the nass to the blow or concussion developed by a sharp detonation, such as is produced by the ignition of a small quantity of strongly confined mercuric fulminate.

The conditions essential to the development of detonation in masses of nitro-glycerin and gun-cotton, or preparations of them, and the relations to and behaviour towards each other of these and other explosive bodies, in their character or functions as detonating agents, has been

*Abstract of a Paper read before the Royal Institution of Great Britain, Friday, March 21, 1879.

Thus, explosive substances which are inferior to mercuric fulminate in the suddenness, and the consequent momentary violence, of their detonation, cannot be relied upon to effect the detonation of gun-cotton, even when used in comparatively considerable quantities. Percussion cap composition, for example, which is a mixture of fulminate with potassium chlorate, and is therefore much less rapid in its action than the pure fulminate, must be used in comparatively large quantities to accomplish the detonation of gun-cotton.

The essential difference between an explosion and what we now distinguish as a detonation lies in the comparative suddenness of the transformation of the solid or liquid explosive substance into gas and vapour.

The gradual nature of the explosion of gunpowder is illustrated, in its extreme, by burning a train of powder in the open air; the rapidity and consequent violence of the explosion is increased in proportion to the degree of confinement of the exploding charge, or to the resistance to the escape or expansion of the gases generated upon the first ignition of the confined substance. In proportion as the pressure is increased under which the progressive transformation of the explosive takes place, the rapidity with which its particles are successively subjected to the

action of heat is increased.

In the case of a very much more sensitive and rapidly explosive substance than gunpowder, such as mercuric fulminate, the increase in the rapidity of its transformation, by strong confinement, is so great that the explosion assumes the character of a detonation in regard to sudderness and consequent destructive effect. A still more ser.sitive and rapidly explosive material (such as the silver fulminate and iodide of nitrogen) produces when exploded in open air effects akin to those of detonation; yet even with these bodies confinement operates in increasing the rapidity of the explosive to suddenness, and consequently in developing a more purely detonative action. Thus, the violence of explosion of silver fulminate is decidedly increased by confining the substance in a stout metal case, and the enclosure of iodide of nitrogen in a shell of plaster of Paris has a similar effect. With chloride of nitrogen, the suddenness of detonation, and consequently the violence of action, was found to be very greatly increased even by confining the liquid beneath a thin layer of water.

Detonation, developed in some portion of a mass, is

End-on Illumination in Private Spectroscopy.

transmitted with a velocity approaching instantaneousness throughout any quantity, and even if the material is laid out in the open air in long trains composed of small masses. The velocity with which detonation travels along trains thirty or forty feet in length, composed of distinc APPLICATIONS TO BOTH BLOWPIPE FLAMES masses of gun-cotton and of dynamite, has been determined by means of Noble's chronoscope, and was found to range from 17,000 to 24,000 feet per second. Even when trains of these explosive agents were laid out with Astronomer Royal for Scotland, and Past President of R.S.S. Arts. intervening spaces of half an inch between the individual masses composing the trains, detonation was still transmitted along the separated masses with great though diminished velocity.