V. On new nitrogenous derivatives of the phenyl- and benzoyl-series

Piria’s important discovery that the action of nitrous acid upon asparagin gives rise to the formation of malic acid, has led to a very general application of this agent in the study of nitrogenous substances. The results obtained have been almost always analogous to those produced by Piria; the reaction may be illustrated by the following examples:— The plan hitherto adopted consisted in submitting theaqueous solution of the nitrogenous body directly to the action of nitrous acid, or in dissolving the body in nitric acid, and passing into the solution a current of binoxide of nitrogen. By employingalcoholic andethereal solutions, I have arrived at different results, establishing anew mode of reaction ; of the facts which I have observed the following may be quoted as illustrations.