Scientific Serials

Abstract

IN the Annalen der Chemie und Pharmacie for May 1870, we find several important papers, of which the following are abstracts:— “Investigations on some derivatives of cinnamic acid, by Carl Glaser.” In this lengthy and most interesting paper is described the Phenylpropiolic acid C9H6O2, a new acid which differs from cinnamic acid by containing H2 less. It is obtained either by the action of sodium and CO2 on β bromstyrol, or by the action of alcoholic potash on a bromcinnamic acid. On heating with water to 120°, it splits up into CO2 and acetenylbenzol C2H C6H5, which latter can also be obtained by the abstraction of 2 HBr from dibromstyrol. Silver, copper, and sodium derivatives of this remarkable hydrocarbon are described, from the latter of which, by the action of CO2, the author succeeded in regenerating phenylpropiolic acid. The paper concludes with an account of some Cl and Br derivatives of styrol.— “On mercuryditolyl,” by E. Dreher and R. Otto. A white crystalline compound obtained by the action of Na2Hg on bromtoluol. The authors did not succeed in preparing the corresponding mercury compound from the isomeric brombenzyl.— Note on the behaviour of dibenzyl at high temperatures, by the same authors. This compound is split up according to the