A Manual of the Chemistry of the Carbon Compounds

THE CAMBON COMPOUNDS. 191
(Beta vulgaris), and can easily "be obtained in quantity from the
treacle obtained in the manufacture of beet-root sugar.
Mhene Nitrite C2H4(NO8)2 is formed by passing ethene into liquid
nitrogen tetroxide; it crystallizes in white prisms, melting at 3Y # 5
and subliming at a higher temperature with partial decomposition.
Etkcne Mtrate C8H4(NO3)Z.—When ethene glycol is dissolved in
filming nitric acid, much heat is evolved, and, on addition of water,
ethene nitrate is precipitated as a thick, heavy oil, possessing an unpleasant,
sweetish taste. On heating it gently it decomposes with a
slight explosion, giving of a very luminous flame.
Ethene Cldoronitrate CJH4|WQ is an oily, limpid, volatile liqu
having a pungent smell, and burning with a brilliant white flame. It is
neadily obtained by dissolving ethene chlorhydrate in concentrated
nitric acid.
On passing ethene into a very cold mixture of concentrated
nitric and sulphuric acids, the compound C2H4N2OB or C^ELi < JTQ 2
is formed, a colourless oil, having a very pungent smell; its vaporas
attack the eyes and produce headache. By the action of aqueous
hydriodic acid it is converted into glycol:—
NOJ + 4HI = C * H * { OH + 2N0 + 2I * + H *°
Ethetvcstdphuric Add C2H4 | go jr is formed by heating glyc
with sulphuric acid to 150°. On diluting the cold solution with
water and neutralizing it with barium carbonate, barium etkenesulpJ
, XT f OH
* \ Ba is obtained, a very soluble salt, which does not crys-
{
tallize well. When it is heated -with baryta-water it is decomposed
iuto glycol and barium sulphate.
Carbyl SidpluUe C2H4(SO.)2.—-This name has been given to a com
pound which is produced by passing ethene into sulphur trioxide.
It forms colourless crystals, which attract water rapidly from the air,
being converted into etMonic acid CsHj j SOW a com P OUIi< * on ^ v
known in aqueous solution. On heating, it is decomposed into sulphuric
acid and isethiotite or ctlicncsulphonic acid CjH4 -j go J
ia also formed by diluting a saturated solution of sulphur trioxide iu
alcohol or ether with water and toiling the liquid for some hours.
Barium iscthoniatc crystallises from water in shining plates. By
adding sulphuric acid to a solution of this salt, and boiling the
filtrate down to the consistency of a syrup, ethenesulphonic a