I attempted to effect this combination by converting nitrous gas into
nitrous oxide, by sulphite of ammoniac, wetted with strong solution of
caustic ammoniac; but without success; for the whole of the nitrous
oxide produced remained in a free state.
When I exposed sulphite of potash, mingled by solution and evaporation
with highly alkaline carbonate of ammoniac,[161] to nitrous gas, the
diminution was nearly one fourth more than if pure sulphite of potash
had been employed. Hence it appears most likely that ammoniac is
capable of combination with nitrous oxide in the nascent state.
[161] Carbonate of ammoniac formed at a high temperature, containing
near 60 per cent alkali, and capable of combining with small quantities
of acids without giving out its carbonic acid. Of this salt a
particular account will be given in the experiments on the ammoniacal
salts, which I have often mentioned in the course of this work.
In the experiments on the conversion of nitrous gas into nitrous oxide,
by nascent hydrogene, and by sulphurated hydrogene, Res. I. Divis.
V. probably the water formed at the same time with the ammoniac
and nitrous oxide, prevented them from entering into combination;
_possibly_ the peculiar compound was formed, but in quantities so
minute as not to be distinguished from simple ammoniac;[162] for even
the existence of ammoniac in these processes, is but barely perceptible.
If it should be proved by future experiments, that in the decomposition
of nitrous gas by nascent hydrogene, a peculiar compound of nitrous
oxide, water and ammoniac, is formed, it will afford proofs in favor of
the doctrine of predisposing affinity;[163] for then this decomposition
might be supposed to depend upon the disposition of oxygene, hydrogene
and nitrogene to assume the states of combination in which they might
form a triple compound, of water, nitrous oxide, and ammoniac.
[162] It may not be amiss to mention some appearances taking place in
the decomposition of nitrous gas by sulphurated hydrogene, though it
is useless to theorise concerning them. The sulphur deposited is at
first yellow; as the process proceeds, it becomes white, and in some
instances I have suspected a diminution of it.
[163] Predisposing affinity, the existence of which at first
consideration it is difficult to admit, may be easily accounted for
by _supposing_ the attractions of the simple principles of compound
substances. And this doctrine will apply in all instances where the
constitution of bodies is known. Predisposing affinity ought not to be
considered as the affinity of _non-existing_ bodies for each other; but
as the mutual affinity of their simple principles, disposing them to
assume new arrangements.
Nitrous oxide might probably be made to combine with ammoniac by
exposing a mixture of nitrous gas and aëriform ammoniac, to the
sulphites.
It is probable that nitrous oxide may be combined with ammoniac,
by means of double affinity. Perhaps sulphate of ammoniac and the
combination of potash with nitrous oxide mingled together in solution,
would be converted into sulphate of potash and the compound of nitrous
oxide, and ammoniac.
X. _Probability of forming Compounds of Nitrous Oxide and the Alkaline
Earths._
I attempted to combine nitrous oxide with lime and strontian, by
exposing sulphites of lime and strontian with excess of earth, to
nitrous gas; but this process did not succeed: the diminution took
place so slowly as to destroy all hopes of gaining any results in
a definite time. Sulphite of potash is decomposable by barytes,
strontian, and lime;[164] consequently it was impossible to employ this
substance to effect the combination.
As the dry sulphures, when well made, convert nitrous gas into nitrous
oxide, it is probable that the union of the earths with nascent nitrous
oxide may be effected by exposing nitrous gas to their sulphures,
containing an excess of earth.
[164] See the above mentioned elaborate memoir of Fourcroy and
Vauquelin.
Perhaps the combination of nitrous oxide with strontian may be effected
by introducing the combination of potash and nitrous oxide into
strontian lime water.
It is probable that nitrous oxide may be combined with clay and
magnesia, by exposing these bodies, mingled with sulphite of potash or
soda, to nitrous gas.
XI. _Additional Observations on the combinations of Nitrous Oxide with
the Alkalies._
A desire to complete physiological investigations relating to nitrous
oxide, has hitherto prevented me from pursuing to a greater extent, the
experiments on the combination of this substance with the alkalies, &c.
As soon as an opportunity occurs, I purpose to resume the subject.
The observations detailed in the foregoing sections are sufficient to
show that nitrous oxide is capable of entering into intimate union
with the fixed alkalies: and as the compounds formed by this union
are insoluble in alcohol, decomposable by the acids, and heat, and
possessed of peculiar properties, they ought to be considered as a new
class of saline substances.
If it is thought proper, on a farther investigation of their
properties, to signify them by specific names, they may, according to
the usually adopted fashion of nomenclature, be called _nitroxis_:
thus the _nitroxi of potash_ would signify the salt formed by the
combination of nitrous oxide with potash.
Future experiments must determine the different affinities of nitrous
oxide for the alkalies, and alkaline earths.
With regard to the uses of these new compounds it is difficult to
form a guess. When they are obtained pure, and fully saturated with
nitrous oxide, on account of the low temperature at which their gas is
liberated, they will probably constitute detonating compounds. From
their facility of decomposition by the weaker acids, they may possibly
be used medicinally, if ever the evolution of nitrous oxide in the
stomach should be found beneficial in diseases.