A Manual of the Chemistry of the Carbon Compounds

TEE CARBON C0MP0VNJJ3. 417
A { fcjJlNo; + 2H *° = °. A { SH + 2N * + 2HN0 «
It resembles common phenol, crystallizing in needles, which dissolve
sparingly in water, but freely in alcohoL
ffexoxydiphniyl CiaH4(OH)0.—The tetramethyl-ether of this phenol
is formed by the dry distillation of beech- and birch-wood/and therefore
occurs in crude wood-vinegar, which is purified by the addition
of potassium dichromate. Blue films are deposited, consisting of the
corresponding quinone, or caeroligtme C1?H4(OCHS)4O"2, which is
obtained pure by dissolving the precipitate in cold phenol, ficora which
it is precipitated by alcohol in dark steel-blue needles. It is insoluble
in all ordinary solvents, and neither distils nor sublimes
without decomposition. Reducing agents reconvert it into tetramdhyl-lwuoxydipienyl,
or kydrocaerolignone C.2H4(OCHs)4(0H)o) crystallizing
from alcohol in colourless monoclinic prisms, melting at
190°, and distilling, when carefully heated, without decomposition.
By adding sodium ethylate to its alcoholic solution, the phenate
C,2H.(OCHg)t(ONa). is obtained as a yellow, neutral precipitate.
When hydrocaerolignone is lieated with hydrochloric acid to 200°,
it is resolved into methyl chloride and kexoxydiphenyl, crystallizing
from boiling water in beautiful plates, grouped in rosettes, and dissolving
in alkalis with a splendid purple colour. Bed-hot zinc-dust
reduces it to diphenyl.
DIPHENYL-METHANE, OR BENZYL-BENZENE CH2-|
This hydrocarbon was first obtained by distilling diphenylacetic
acid (CaH6),CH.COj,H with baryta. It is also produced by heating
benzyl chloride with benzene and zinc-dust to 160°. When the
action is once started, the zinc may be withdrawn, without hindering
the completion of the reaction, during which currents of hydrochloric
acid are evolved :•—
C8H6.CH801 + C0H0 » C0H6.CH3.C9H6 + HC1
Besides benzyl-benzene, other products are formed, of which two
isomeric hydrocarbons CLHU have been isolated. We cannot, as yet,
explain why such a stable body as benzene takes part in this reaction
with such great energy.
Diphenyl-methane crystallizes in monoclinic prisms, melting at
26°'5, and possessing the odour of oranges.
Bcnzyl-plienol, or B&iizyl-oxylensene, C6H6.CH«.C0H4.OH has been
obtained by heating benzyl chloride with phenol and zinc-dust. It
crystallizes from alcohol in lustrous plates, melting at 84 s , and dissolves
in caustic alkalis, but not in ammonia.
Bmzylplmyl-mcthyl Etlurr, or Brnzyl-anisol C6HB.CH8.CaH4.OCH8,
0 E E