A Manual of the Chemistry of the Carbon Compounds

TEE CARBON COMPOUNDS. 153
a red-hot tube, and further, by the destructive distillation of sugar,
tartaric acid, wood, &c, and is therefore contained in crude woodspirit.
Acetone is a mobile liquid, boiling at 56°, and having a pleasant
smelL It is iniscible with water, and combines, like the aldehydes,
with the acid sulphites of the alkali-metals, forming crystalline compounds,
which are but sparingly soluble in water.
By the action of acids on acetone it loses the elements of water,
and yields products of condensation.
MetAyl-isoJmtenyl Xetone CyEri0O, commonly called mesilyl oxide,
is obtained by gradually adding strong sulphuric acid to acetone, or if
acetone is left standing over quicklime for some time, and afterwards
distilled. It is a colourless oil, smelling like peppermint, and boiling
at 130°. It has the following constitution:—
CHS
)>C=CH—CO—CH8
CHS
Besides this substance another compound, called acetophwom
C9H.4O, is formed by the above reaction. It forms yellowish crystals,
melting at 28°, and boiling at 196°. Its constitution is probably the
following ;—
CH8-~C=CH—C=CH—CO—CH8
CH8
CHS
"When acetone is heated with concentrated sulphuric acid, mesitylene
CBHM is obtained:—
3C8HaO = C ^ + 3H8O
This hydrocarbon belongs to the he gr group of aromatic compounds, and
is trimethylbenzene :—
h
CH8
CH3—-0 C—