Page:EB1911 - Volume 27.djvu/324

Rh iodo-compound, C8H15NI2, which, on reduction with zinc and hydrochloric acid, is converted into hydrotropidine, C8H15N. It yields various oxidation products. With an alkaline solution of potassium permanganate it yields tropigenine, C7H,3NO; with chromic acid in the presence of acetic acid it yields tropinone, C8H13NO; and with chromic acid in the presence of sulphuric acid it yields tropinic acid, C6H11N(CO2H)2.

Tropidine, C8H13N, is a liquid having an odour resembling that of conine. It is a strong tertiary base, and is an unsaturated compound, forming addition products with the halogen acids. Hydrotropidine, C8H15N, is also a liquid. its hydrochloride on distillation loses methyl chloride and yields norhydrotropidine, C7H13N, a compound which is a secondary base, and whose hydrochloride when distilled over zinc dust yields -ethyl pyridine. Tropinic acid, C6H11N(CO2H)2, obtained as above, is inactive; it was resolved by J. Gadamer (Arch. Pharm., 1901, 239, p. 663) by means of its cinchonine salt. It is a dibasic ac1d, and the methiodide of its dimethyl ester on fusion with caustic alkalis yields rt-adipic acid. It is apparently a derivative of N—methyl pyrrollidine, since it may be oxidized ultimately to N—methyl succinimide. Tropigenine, C7H13NO, is a secondary base.

The most important of the oxidation products of trop1ne is tropinone, C8H13NO, which is a ketone containing the grouping —CH2⋅⋅CO⋅CH2-since it yields a di-isonitroso derivative, a dibenzal derivative, and also forms mono- and di-oxalic esters. It is a strong base and has a powerful reducing action. Its constitution is determined by the above facts and also because tropinic acid on destructive methylation yields a diolefine dicarboxylic acid which on reduction is converted into n-pimelic acid. These data point to tropine possessing an unbranched chain of seven carbon atoms and incidentally determine the constitution of the other various oxidation products, &c. (R. Willstätter, Ber., 1895–1901). These compounds may consequently be represented as

H2C CH—CH2 H2C⋅CH—CH2 H¢C-CH-CH2-CO2H H2C⋅CH—CH2
 * I I I I I I I
 * NMe CHOH NMe CO NMe NMe CH
 * I I I I I I I
 * H2C⋅CH—CH2 H2C⋅CH—CH2 H2C⋅CH⋅CO2H &emsp; H2C⋅CH—CH
 * Tropine Tropinone  Tropinic acid  Tropidine.

On the synthesis of tropine, see R. Willstatter, Ber., 1901, 34, pp. 130, 3163.

Tropic acid, C9H10O3, the other decomposition product of atropine, is a saturated hydroxy-acid which is readily converted into atropic acid, C9H8O2, by dehydrating agents. This latter acid is shown by all its reactions to be C6H5C(:CH2)⋅CO2H, a fact which is confirmed by its synthesis from ace top hen one by the action of phosphorus pentachloride, followed by the decomposition of the resulting chloride with an alcoholic solution of potassium cyanide and subsequent hydrolysis of the nitrile so formed. These results show that tropic acid must be either C6H5⋅CH(CH2OH)⋅CO2H or C6H5C⋅(OH)(CH3)⋅CO2H, and since the latter compound has been prepared from ace top hen one by the addition of the elements of hydrocyanic acid, followed by subsequent hydrolysis and is an isomer of tropic acid, it follows that tropic acid must be represented by the former of the two formulae. Hence the alkaloid atropine, being a tropine-tropate, must have the annexed formula—

H2C⋅CH—CH2 &emsp; CH2OH

NMe CH⋅O⋅CO⋅CH

H2C⋅CH—CH2 &emsp; C6H5


 * Atropine.

 TROPPAU (Polish, Oppava; Czech, Opava), the capital of the Austrian duchy and crown land of Silesia, 180 m. N.E. of Vienna by rail. Pop. (1900), 26,725. It is situated on the Oppa river, close to the Prussian frontier, and is a well-built town with extensive suburbs. The industries comprise the manufacture of cloth, industrial machines, sugar-refining, jute fabrics and brewing. Troppau was founded in the 13th century; but almost its only claim to historical mention is the fact that in 1820 the monarchs of Austria, Russia and Prussia met here to deliberate on the tendencies of the Neapolitan revolution. This congress of Troppau, however, left nearly the whole matter to be considered and decided at Laibach. The former principality of Troppau is now divided between Austria and Prussia, the latter holding the lion's share.

TROPPAU, CONGRESS OF, a conference of the allied sovereigns or their representatives to discuss a concerted policy with regard to the questions raised by the revolution in Naples of July 1820. At this congress, which met on the 20th of October 1820, the emperor Alexander I, of Russia and Francis I. of Austria were present in person; King Frederick William III. of Prussia was represented by the crown prince (afterwards Frederick William IV.). The three eastern powers were further represented by the ministers responsible for their foreign policy: Austria by Prince Metternich, Russia by Count Capo d'Istria, Prussia by Prince Hardenberg. Great Britain, on the other hand, which objected on principle to the suggested concerted action against the Neapolitan Liberals, sent no plenipotentiary, but was represented by Lord Stewart, ambassador in Vienna. France, too, though her policy was less clearly defined, had given no plenary powers to her representatives. Thus from the very first was emphasized that division within the concert of the powers which the outcome of the congress was to make patent.

The characteristic note of this congress was its intimate and informal nature; the determining fact at the outset Was Metternich's discovery that he had no longer anything to fear from the “ jacobinism ” of the emperor Alexander. In a three hours' conversation over a cup of tea at the little inn he had heard the tsar's confession and promise of amendment: “ Aujourd'hui je déplor e tout ce que j'ai dit et fait entre les années 1814 et 1818. . Dites-moi ce que vous voulez de moi. Te le ferai” (Metternich to Esterhazy, Oct. 24, 1820, F. O. Austria Dom. Sep.-Dec. 1820). His failure to convert Castlereagh to his views was now of secondary importance; the “ free ” powers being in accord, it was safe to ignore the opinions of Great Britain and France, whose governments, whatever their goodwill, were fettered by constitutional forms. In a series of conferences—to which the representatives of Great Britain and France were not admitted, on the excuse that they were only empowered to “ report,” not to “ decide ”—was drawn up the famous preliminary protocol signed by Austria, Russia and Prussia on the 19th of November. The main pronouncement of the “Troppau Protocol” is as follows: “ States, which have undergone a change of government due to revolution, the result of which threaten other states, ipso facto cease to be members of the European Alliance, and remain excluded from it until their situation gives guarantees for legal order and stability. If, owing to such alterations, immediate danger threatens other states the powers bind themselves, by peaceful means, or if need be, by arms, to bring back the guilty state into the bosom of the Great Alliance.”

No effort was made by the powers to give immediate effect to the principles enunciated in the protocol; and after its promulgation the conferences were adjourned, it being decided to resume them at Laibach in the following January (see ).

TROSSACHS, THE (Gaelic, “the bristled country,” a crude allusion to its physical features), a defile in the south-west of Perthshire, Scotland. It is a narrow, beautifully wooded glen, of no great depth, extending from Loch Achray to Loch Katrine, and  continued thence by a strip on the north-eastern shore to a point above the now submerged Silver Strand opposite to Ellen’s Isle—a total distance of 2 m. It is situated 8 m. W. of Callander and 5 m. N. of Aberfoyle, with both of which places there is daily communication by coach during the tourist season. It lies between the steep green slopes of Ben Venue (2393 ft.) on the S.W. and the precipitous craig of Ben A’an (1750 ft.) on the N.E. Characterized by lovely scenery, owing to its harmonious blending of wood, water, rock and hill, the region has been famous ever since the appearance of Sir Walter Scott’s The Lady of the Lake and Rob Roy. Before the construction of the road that now winds through the pass, Sir Walter says that the only access to the lake was by means of a ladder formed out of the branches and roots of trees. A rustic pier has been built at the Trossachs end of Loch Katrine for the convenience of tourists, and a large hotel stands on the northern shore of Loch Achray, near the beginning of the pass.