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METHOD OF OBTAINING ACETOUS ACID.

METHOD OF OBTAINING ACETOUS ACID.

Acetous acid is formed by the fermentation of wine, on whichaccount it is called vinegar. However, wine is not indispensablynecessary for its production as it is found in the urine of ani-mals, fcc. 'The vinegar produced during fermentation is farfrom being pure acetous acid, but may be obtained so by distilla-tion. For this purpose chuse the strongest vinegar possible, andhaving introduced it into a glass retort, place it in a sand-heat,,or rather in a water-bath. Adapt to the retort a large receiverand lute the joinings. Then apply a gentle heat, and increase itgradually, taking care to cool the receiver with cloths soaked inwater. The first portion which passes over is an aqueous fluid ;but the acetous acid soon ascends. This is what is called distilledvinegar.

The combinations of acetic acid with different bases form salts,called ACETITES.

PROPERTIES OF ACETITES.

Acetites are decomposable by heat, the acetic acid is eitherdisengaged unaltered, or decomposed. They are likewise de-composed by the affusion of sulphuric acid.

METHODS OF OBTAINING ACETITES.

Acetite of potash, soda, barytes, strontia, or lime, may beobtained by neutralizing the carbonates of these alcalies withacetic acid, evaporating the solution and crystallizing it. Ace-tite of lime or magnesia may be obtained in a direct manner.Acetite of silver is produced by dropping acetite of potash into asolution of nitrate of silver. Acetite of mercury is produced ina similar manner from nitrate of mercury, and acetite of potash.Acetite of iron, lead, zinc, and nickel, may be produced by dis-solving these metals in acetous acid, evaporating the solutionsand sutfering them to crystallize.