By J. ALFRED WANKLYN and WILLIAM FOX.
In the course of an investigation in which we are at present engaged we
have arrived at some results which appear to us to be very interesting.
We find that the generally received view that the fats are ethers of
glycerin is partially correct, and that instances of a different kind of
structure occur among the natural oils and fats.
Ethers of iso-glycerin, or of homologues of iso-glycerin, appear to
occur. Iso-glycerin has this structure:
C(OH)_{2}
CH
CH_{3}
It exists in its ethers, but cannot be isolated, and should be resolved
into:
COOH + H_{2}O
CH_{2}
CH_{3}
Ethers of iso-glycerin, or ethers of homologues of iso-glycerin, yield
no glycerin when saponified.--_Chemical News_.
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