On the mutual action of sulphuric acid and alcohol, with observations on the composition and properties of the resulting compound

At the commencement of this paper Mr. Hennell describes certain peculiarities in the properties of oil of wine, which induced him to consider sulphuric acid as one of its proximate elements; and on following up his analytical experiments upon it he found that about 37 per cent, of that acid might be obtained during its decomposition, although in its original state it affords no indications of that acid by the tests of the soluble salts of baryta,—a circumstance which he refers to the presence of hydrocarbon exerting a peculiar saturating influence upon the acid. Of this hydrocarbon he next determines the composition, and finds that its elements correspond in their relative proportions with those of olefiant gas. When oil of wine is mixed with solution of muriate of baryta, and gently heated, the mixture becomes acid, reddening litmus paper, but yet does not precipitate the barytic salt. Several experiments are detailed illustrating the nature of this acid, from which it appears that it forms very soluble compounds with baryta and potassa; the latter is a crystallizable salt, which burns with flame when heated, and leaves a bisulphate of potassa. Its analysis, the details of which are given at length in the paper, shows it to consist of two proportionals of sulphuric acid, one of potassa, four of carbon, and four of hydrogen; and it is remarked that the latter elements, namely, the carbon and hydrogen, appear in the present instance to be equivalent to, or to exert a saturating power over, one of the proportionals of sulphuric acid. Some slight discrepancies between the experimental and theoretical results of these analyses are adverted to, which the author thinks himself justified in attributing to water of crystallization in the salt, which he could not succeed in obtaining in a perfectly anhydrous state.