A Manual of the Chemistry of the Carbon Compounds

133 TBE CHEMISTRY OF
By dissolving iron turnings in pyroligneous acid a solution of
ferrous acetate is obtained called "iron liquor" which is also employed
as a mordant.
Lead Acetate, commonly called sugar of lead, PKCgHjO^ + 3HaO,
is manufactured by dissolving litharge in dilute acetic acid; it
crystallizes in monoclinio prisms, and is readily soluble in water. Its
solution has the power of dissolving large quantities of litharge, basic
salts such as * g(J >Pb being formed, the solutions of which have
a strong alkaline reaction, and are used for surgical purposes.
Ouprie Acetate.—The so-called " verdigris," which is prepared on the
large scale by bringing the marc of grapes in contact with coppersheeting,
is a mixture of basic salts, and consists chiefly of
H(f f ^ ^ ( ^ 8S0 ^ v J n S ft "* acetic acid, the normal acetate
Cu(O,HsOg)j + HjO, crystallizing in rhombic prisms, is obtained.
The beautiful green pigment called " emerald green " is a double
salt of copper acetate and arsenite Q TTQ 3 [-CUJ, and is prepared by
adding acetic acid to copper arsenite.
Silver Acetate 2 ~£ !• O.—Silver nitrate precipitates from a solution
of an acetate this salt as a white crystalline powder, which
crystallizes from boiling water in flat, flexible, white, shiniug needles.
Methyl Acetate V|T !• O is a mobile liquid having a refreshing
smell, boiling at 55°. It is contained in crude wood spirits. To
prepare it a mixture of methyl alcohol and sulphuric acid is distilled
with dry sodium acetate. This ether has the same boiling-point as
its inetameride ethyl formate. Both can, however, be easily distinguished
from each other; by treatment with alkalis, methyl acetato
yields metfiyl alcohol and an alkaline acetate, whilst ethyl formate
gives ethyl alcohol and an alkaline formate.
Ethyl AcetaiP^P \ 0, a liquid known by the name of "acetic
^2 6 J
ether," is best prepared in the following manner. To 9 parts of con-
centrated sulphuric acid 3*6 parts of commercial absolute alcohol are
added by means of a funnel tube which reaches the bottom of the
vessel, at the same time keeping the liquid well stirred. After stand-
ing for twenty-four hours this mixture is added to 6 parts of sodium
acetate, which has previously been fused and broken iuto small frag-
ments, and after twelve hours the mixture is distilled. Thus 6 parts
of pure acetic ether are obtained, from which, by rectifying over calcium
chloride, traces of water are removed. Ethyl acetate boils at 74°, and
possesses a very pleasant and refreshing smell. It dissolves in about
11 parts of water; the solution soon assumes an acid reaction, the
ether being decomposed into alcohol and acetic acid. Acetic ether is
also slowly formed by allowing a mixture of acetic acid and alcohol