CENANTHIC ACID (HO, This acid, in combination with oxide of ethyl forming cenantlae ether (C,H.O,C„11„0,), is found in grape wine, and gives to that liquid its characteristic odour. The ether is obtained on distilling wine itself, or wine lees with water; it is then decomposed with caustic potash, and the con anthate of potash distilled with sulphuric acid, when tenanthie acid passes over, and condenses at .54•Falir. into a sembaoliml colenuless fat, of the consistence of butter. At a higher tamp nature it melts. la inealorous and taateless, reddens litmus paper, and easily mliesolvee In the caustic alkalies, alkaline carbonates, ether, or aleelest. Heat splits cenanthic acid up into water and anhydrous acid ; but in other respects It greatly re sesubles pct.:nook acid. M. Fischer has just (1860) announced his belief that the eocalled amanthic acid is merely a mixture of capric and eaprvlie acids.
(}:NAtT1I01., antmatylie aitlehyd, or Aydride of ermanthyl (C„11„ 0,we C,,11,,0,,11). This substance forms about ten per cent of the products of the destructive distillation of castor oil. It may be purified
by agitation with baryta water and re-distillation, and finally obtained dry by 44-elation over chloride of calcium.
tr.narithol is a colourless liquid, of sp. gr. 0•8271 at 63' Fehr. Its boiling point Is 312' Fehr., Aga vapour density 417. It has a penetra ting odour, and at first sweet, but afterwards acrid taste. ft Is soluble In alcohol or ether, but very slightly so in water. It forms a crystal line compound with bisulphite of soda, and is converted into ienauthylic acid by nitric' acid, chromic acid, or even by exposure to air.
MetencretAcri is a crystalline body, isomeric with cenanthol. It is produced when cenanthol at Fehr. is mixed with nitric acid at the mine temperature, and the whole set aside for twenty-four hours.
Hydride of incAferananthei Is a heavy oily fluid, re sulting from the action of chlorine upon enanthol.