[61]Thus in the nitrides of the metals we have substances by means of which we can easily obtain from the nitrogen of the air, not only ammonia, but also with the aid of CO, by synthesis, a whole series of complex carbon and nitrogen compounds.[62]As the hydrides of calcium, magnesium, &c. are very stable under the action of heat, and these metals and hydrogen occur in the sun, it is likely that the formation of their hydrides may take place there. (Private communication from Prof. Winkler, 1894.) It is probable that in the free metals of the alkaline earths hitherto obtained a portion was frequently in combination with nitrogen and hydrogen.[63]Thus, for instance, a mixture of 56 parts of CaO and 24 parts of magnesium powder is heated in an iron pipe (placed over a row of gas burners as in the combustion furnace used for organic analysis) in a stream of hydrogen. After being heated for ½ hour the mixture is found to absorb hydrogen (it no longer passes over the mixture, but is retained by it). The product, which is light grey, and slightly coherent, disengages a mass of hydrogen when water is poured over it, and burns when heated in air. The resultant mass contains 33 per cent. CaH, about 28 per cent. CaO, and about 38 per cent. MgO. Neither CaH nor any other MH has yet been obtained in a pure state.The acetylene derivatives of the metals of the alkaline earths C2M (Chapter VIII., Note12 bis), for instance, C2Ba, obtained by Maquenne and Moissan, belong to the same class of analogous compounds. It must here be remarked that the oxides MO of the metals of the alkaline earths, although not reducible by carbon at a furnace heat, yet under the action of the heat attained in electrical furnaces, not only give up their oxygen to carbon (probably partly owing to the action of the current), but also combine with carbon. The resultant compounds, C2M, evolve acetylene, C2H2, with HCl, just as N2M3give ammonia. We may remark moreover that the series of compounds of the metals of the alkaline earths with hydrogen, nitrogen and carbon is a discovery of recent years, and that probably further research will give rise to similar unexpected compounds, and by extending our knowledge of their reactions prove to be of great interest.
[61]Thus in the nitrides of the metals we have substances by means of which we can easily obtain from the nitrogen of the air, not only ammonia, but also with the aid of CO, by synthesis, a whole series of complex carbon and nitrogen compounds.
[61]Thus in the nitrides of the metals we have substances by means of which we can easily obtain from the nitrogen of the air, not only ammonia, but also with the aid of CO, by synthesis, a whole series of complex carbon and nitrogen compounds.
[62]As the hydrides of calcium, magnesium, &c. are very stable under the action of heat, and these metals and hydrogen occur in the sun, it is likely that the formation of their hydrides may take place there. (Private communication from Prof. Winkler, 1894.) It is probable that in the free metals of the alkaline earths hitherto obtained a portion was frequently in combination with nitrogen and hydrogen.
[62]As the hydrides of calcium, magnesium, &c. are very stable under the action of heat, and these metals and hydrogen occur in the sun, it is likely that the formation of their hydrides may take place there. (Private communication from Prof. Winkler, 1894.) It is probable that in the free metals of the alkaline earths hitherto obtained a portion was frequently in combination with nitrogen and hydrogen.
[63]Thus, for instance, a mixture of 56 parts of CaO and 24 parts of magnesium powder is heated in an iron pipe (placed over a row of gas burners as in the combustion furnace used for organic analysis) in a stream of hydrogen. After being heated for ½ hour the mixture is found to absorb hydrogen (it no longer passes over the mixture, but is retained by it). The product, which is light grey, and slightly coherent, disengages a mass of hydrogen when water is poured over it, and burns when heated in air. The resultant mass contains 33 per cent. CaH, about 28 per cent. CaO, and about 38 per cent. MgO. Neither CaH nor any other MH has yet been obtained in a pure state.The acetylene derivatives of the metals of the alkaline earths C2M (Chapter VIII., Note12 bis), for instance, C2Ba, obtained by Maquenne and Moissan, belong to the same class of analogous compounds. It must here be remarked that the oxides MO of the metals of the alkaline earths, although not reducible by carbon at a furnace heat, yet under the action of the heat attained in electrical furnaces, not only give up their oxygen to carbon (probably partly owing to the action of the current), but also combine with carbon. The resultant compounds, C2M, evolve acetylene, C2H2, with HCl, just as N2M3give ammonia. We may remark moreover that the series of compounds of the metals of the alkaline earths with hydrogen, nitrogen and carbon is a discovery of recent years, and that probably further research will give rise to similar unexpected compounds, and by extending our knowledge of their reactions prove to be of great interest.
[63]Thus, for instance, a mixture of 56 parts of CaO and 24 parts of magnesium powder is heated in an iron pipe (placed over a row of gas burners as in the combustion furnace used for organic analysis) in a stream of hydrogen. After being heated for ½ hour the mixture is found to absorb hydrogen (it no longer passes over the mixture, but is retained by it). The product, which is light grey, and slightly coherent, disengages a mass of hydrogen when water is poured over it, and burns when heated in air. The resultant mass contains 33 per cent. CaH, about 28 per cent. CaO, and about 38 per cent. MgO. Neither CaH nor any other MH has yet been obtained in a pure state.
The acetylene derivatives of the metals of the alkaline earths C2M (Chapter VIII., Note12 bis), for instance, C2Ba, obtained by Maquenne and Moissan, belong to the same class of analogous compounds. It must here be remarked that the oxides MO of the metals of the alkaline earths, although not reducible by carbon at a furnace heat, yet under the action of the heat attained in electrical furnaces, not only give up their oxygen to carbon (probably partly owing to the action of the current), but also combine with carbon. The resultant compounds, C2M, evolve acetylene, C2H2, with HCl, just as N2M3give ammonia. We may remark moreover that the series of compounds of the metals of the alkaline earths with hydrogen, nitrogen and carbon is a discovery of recent years, and that probably further research will give rise to similar unexpected compounds, and by extending our knowledge of their reactions prove to be of great interest.