In a note presented to the Industrial Society of Mulhouse, A. Pabst
discusses the different stages in the formation of compound ethers, as
Williamson has explained the production of ordinary ethers by the action
of sulphuric acid upon alcohol. Pabst has observed that the compound
ethers are formed in an analogous manner. If alcohol, sulphuric acid,
and acetic acid are heated together, acetic ether, we know, is formed.
Pabst has shown that it takes place in three stages. In the first stage,
ethyl sulphuric acid and water are formed; in the second, acetate of
ethyl with the reproduction of sulphuric acid, which again converts a
fresh quantity of alcohol into ethyl sulphuric acid.
(1) C_{2}H_{5}OH+HO,SO_{2}OH = C_{2}H_{5}O,SO_{2}OH+H_{2}O.
(Alcohol.) (Sulphuric acid.) (Ethyl sulphuric acid.)
(2) C_{2}H_{5}O,SO_{2}OH+C_{2}H_{3}O,OH =
(Ethyl sulphuric acid.) (Acetic acid.)
C_{2}H_{5}O,C_{2}H_{3}O+HO,SO_{2}HO.
(Acetate of ethyl.) (Sulphuric acid.)
Pabst proved this by letting methyl sulphuric acid act upon a mixture of
acetic acid and ethyl alcohol. He obtained by this process acetate
of methyl and ethyl sulphuric acid. By the continued action of ethyl
alcohol and acetic acid upon this mixture, of course, acetate of ethyl
was formed. At the conclusion of the operation there was no longer any
methyl sulphuric acid present in the liquid.
In the course of his investigations, Pabst was led to a very practical
method for preparing acetate of methyl, which consists in heating ethyl
sulphuric acid to 135° or 140° C, and allowing a mixture of equal
molecules of strong alcohol and acetic acid to flow into it.
The details of his experiments and the method of purification will be
published by the society.
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