Societies and Academies

Abstract

LONDON Chemical Society, November 6.—Dr. Perkin, F.R.S., President, in the chair.—It was announced that a ballot for the election of Fellows would take place at the next meeting of the Society (November 20).—The following papers were read:—On the action of aldehydes and ammonia upon benzil (continued), by F. R. Japp and S. C. Hooker. In previous papers two general reactions have been studied relating to the joint action of aldehydes and ammonia upon similar bodies; in addition, a third totally distinct reaction occurs, which is investigated in the present paper. The authors have studied the action of salicyl-aldehyde and ammonia upon benzil. A condensation-product, C28H24N2O4, was obtained, which proved to be dibenzoyldi-hydroxystilbenediamine. By the action of dilute hydrochloric acid, the hydrochloride of a new base, C14H6N2O2, was formed; its platinum salt, picrate, sulphate, diacetyl derivative, &c., were prepared and examined. The authors have also studied the action of furfuraldehyde and ammonia upon benzil.—Isomeric modifications of sodium sulphate, by S. U. Pickering. The author has determined the heat of dissolution of effloresced sodium sulphate heated to various temperatures. He concludes that there are two modifications: one formed by not heating above 150°, the other being produced at temperatures from 150° to the fusing-point of the salt.—On some vanadates of the amines, by G. H. Bailey. The author has prepared and studied a considerable number of these bodies, and has compared them with the corresponding vanadates of the alkalies Contributions to our knowledge of acetoacetic ether, part I, by J. W. James.—On magnesium hydrosulphide solution and its use in chemico-legal cases as a source of hydrogen sulphide, by E. Divers and T. Shimidzu. The authors prepare this solution by passing ordinary hydrogen sulphide into a flask containing magnesia suspended in water. By heating the solution to 60°, a steady stream of hydrogen sulphide free from hydrogen and from hydrogen arsenide is obtained.—On the origin of calcium thio-sulphate: an emendatory note to 9 paper on calcium hydro-sulphide, by E. Divers. The author concludes that there is essentially only one method of forming the thiosulphate, i.e. by the union of sulphur with calcium sulphite.