Page:Scientific Memoirs, Vol. 1 (1837).djvu/173

 From these proportions we obtain the following for 100 parts:

or reckoned in equivalents,—

From these experiments we may deduce, that in the moment that the one equivalent of hydrogen of the hydrospiroilic acid is oxidized, four more equivalents of oxygen are taken up by the radical. This likewise explains the formation of so large a portion of nitrous acid, even when a very small quantity only of the oil is employed.

It appeared probable that during the oxidation a portion of nitric or nitrous acid was absorbed by the radical, and this opinion was supported by the fact, that spiroilic acid stains the skin and nails permanently yellow,— a property which is likewise possessed by the spiroilide of potassium and several other metallic spiroilides; several experiments were undertaken to detect the nitrogen or the acid, but unsuccessfully with regard to either.

If spiroilic acid be slightly heated with potassium over mercury, a most violent evolution of heat and light suddenly takes place, by which the vessel is always broken with great violence. Even should excess of potassium be employed in this experiment, only a portion of the spiroilic acid is decomposed; a porous carbon is deposited, and a mixture of spiroilide of potassium and carbonate of potash is formed.

The pure alkalies unite very readily with spiroilic acid, forming yellow compounds, by evaporating the aqueous solutions of which small yellow crystals may be obtained.

If spiroilic acid be dissolved in æther, and the solution agitated with solutions of potash or soda, the æther is immediately abstracted from the acid. The alkaline salts of spiroilic acid are also soluble in alcohol.

If ammonia be saturated with spiroilic acid, a deep blood-red solution is obtained. If this be evaporated to dryness a yellow residue remains, which if rubbed with caustic alkali immediately develops a strong ammoniacal odour. If spiroilate of ammonia be subjected to a high temperature in close vessels it is decomposed, some ammonia is evolved, and an oily body comes over, the exact nature of which has not been determined on account of the minuteness of the quantity.