METHYL AND ITS DERIVATIVES, ix chemistry; this name is given to the hypo thetical radical CH,, assumed to exist in methylic alcohol and in very many other carbon compounds. Methyl forms the first of the series of alcohol radicals, the general formula of which is CnHan+,, and gives rise to an almost innumerable list of compounds. In the year 1848 Frankland and Kolbe, by the action of potassium on ethyl cyanide, obtained a gas the composition of which agreed with the for mula C,H.; now such a body may be regarded either as (1) ethyl hydride GH..H, or (2) as two atoms of methyl linked together to form one molecule.
CHI For a considerable time the new substance was supposed to be free methyl, that is — CH.
and to be isomeric, but not identical with ethyl hydride C.H..H.
According to the generally received views concerning atomicity (see CHEMISTRY) such a body as CH, could not exist in the free state; it was therefore in keeping with chemical theory to believe that in the moment of its liberation the atoms of this substance should combine together in pairs to form the stable molecule— CH, CH, A few years later Frankland succeeded in pre paring the same body by the action of zinc on ethyl iodide, Zn + 2C1131= ZnI, 2CH.. Frankland compared the action of chlorine on this supposed 2CH. with the action of the same gas on the so-called ethyl hydride (C31-1..H), and concluded that the two bodies were not identical. Schorlemmer has, however, studied this action of chlorine more carefully, and he finds that the resultant substances are the same in each case. The reactions which take place between equal volumes of chlorine and of tht gas Ciff. may be thus formulated: (1) C.i.f.+ + HC1.
(2) C.HiCI + + HCI.
The first reaction is the principal one; small quantities of the body C21-1..C12 (dichlon ethane) are, however, always formed. rat identity of the two substances formerly loam as free methyl and ethyl hydride has been th proved, so that we now know of only one bet; having the formula Cale; to this substance ±• name of ethane is given; it forms the semi_ hydrocarbon in the marsh-gas, or CnItn+, series. From these considerations it is evider that the radical methyl is known only in oar, bination with other bodies. By the action Li chlorine on certain methyl compounds the tthc CH3C1 is obtained, from which again the hotho CH2C11, CHC12 and Ca may be produce'_ The oxide of methyl (CH3)20, or metlni: ether, is produced by the action of sulpbon: acid upon wood spirit; this ether may be take as typical of a large series, in which one cf the groups CH, is replaced by another radio: (either alcoholic or acid). The hydroxyl dem
ative of methyl, or methylic alcohol, CH:01.1 is prepared in many ways. The most genera_: employed method consists in rectifying the product obtained by the dry distillation oi wood (hence its common name — wood alcoh! or wood naphtha) ; but in order to obtain per fectly pure methyl alcohol it is nececeary prepare a methylic ether, generally mar oxalic ether, decompose this by distillation with water, and dehydrate the alcohol so obtained by means of quicklime. Methylic alcohol is a colorless mobile liquid, having a specific gra:i: of .8142 at 32° F.; its boiling point lies grow 140° F. It mixes with water in all proportion, with the evolution of heat. It burns with 1 clear blue flame. It is a ready solvent for resins, camphors and fatty oils. The presence of a certain amount of methylic alcohol in ordi nary or ethylic alcohol does not interfere the use of the latter substance in many cholla operations. Such a mixture is known in con merce under the name of methylated 4-tr.• Methylic alcohol yields by oxidation formica:I? (C}120,), thus CH.0 + 02= CH20. -4- Ilia Another important series of methyl derin, tives consists of substances known as metk34 amines; these are strongly basic and are gen erally regarded as ammonia in which for. two or three hydrogen atoms are replaced '1* one, two or three atoms of the radicle C thus giving rise to two other groups—de dimethylamines and the trimethylamines. Pis we know of the substances NH.Ca. and N (CHS)3. Further, as w: know of such bodies as ammonium iodide ate' chloride, so we are acquainted with the ezwre sponding methyl-ammonium salts N(CHOLT etc. Methylene is a colorless gas with a straw odor resembling ammonia. It is highly inflam mable, and burns with a yellow flame. Ttt group CH, may also be introduced into rnae7 of the natural alkaloids (see SravcaNUTE), p ing rise to methyl derivatives of these bags Another extensive series of derivatives are the methylenes, of large importance in the mane facture of dyestuffs.