Contributions towards the history of caproic and œnanthylic acids / by J.S. Brazier and G. Grossleth.

  • Brazier, James S. (James Smith)
Date:
[1851?]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Contributions towards the history of caproic and œnanthylic acids / by J.S. Brazier and G. Grossleth. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    cellence), and methylene: consequently the ketones would always arise from the decomposition of 2 eqs. of the respective acids : 2 Cn Nn 04 = 2 HO + 2 C02 + Cn Hn 02 + C(a_2) H(n. S)> The following table, into which we introduce the boiling-points which have been observed, exhibits the various ketones when viewed in this light: Boiling-point. Acetone - C6 H6 02 = C4 H4 02 + C2 H2 ... 66° C. (1320,8 F.) Propione - C10 H10 02 = C6 H6 02 + C4 H4 ... 84° C. (1830>2 F.) Butyrone - 014 H14 02 = C8 H8 02 + C6 N6 ... 144° C. (291*2 F.) Yalerone - C18 Hlg 02 = C10 H10 02 + C8 H8 Caprone - C22 H 22 02 = Ci2 H12 02 + Cio H10... 165° C. (329°'0 F.) Caprylone C30 H30 02 = C16 H16 02 -+■ C14 H14... 178° C. (3520,4 F.) Margarone C68 H66 02 = C34 H34 02 -f- C32 H32 Chancel’s view is chiefly supported by the deportment of some of the ketones under the influence of oxidizing agents. In fact, acetone when boiled with chromic acid yields a mixture of acetic and formic acids, the former being (in the conception of this theory) derived from the aldehyde, while the latter is due to the presence of a term be¬ longing to the lower series. If acetone were C3 H3 O, this conver¬ sion would be almost unintelligible. In the same manner, propione is converted into propionic and acetic acids. By treating butyrone with nitric acid, Chancel* obtains nitropropionic acid, which may have been formed by the oxidation of the propylene; Chancel gives no account of what becomes of the other term, the butaldehyde oc¬ curring in his formula. On the other hand, we find that the forma¬ tion of butyrone is invariably attended by a simultaneous production of butaldehyde (butyrale), which may be due to a partial decomposi¬ tion of the butyrone in the nascent state, probably with evolution of propylene. The generation of valerone, and, as we have seen, of caprone, gives rise to similar phenomena. It remained now to study the deportment of the latter compound under the influence of oxidiz¬ ing agents. ACTION OF NITRIC ACID UPON CAPRONE. This body was very readily attacked by nitric acid. If strong acid was employed, oxidation ensued, without the application of heat: as soon as the evolution of nitrous fumes had ceased, the liquid in the retort was saturated with carbonate of potassa, when an oily liquid of a peculiar aromatic odour separated, which was insoluble in an ex¬ cess of the alkaline liquid. The quantity at our disposal was so very * J. Pharra. [3] XIIT. 463.