CLXXX.-Racer;lzismtion Phenomena observed in the Study of l-Benzoin and its Derivatives. By HENRY WREN. IN a recent paper entitled '' St udien uber katalytische Razemisierung," Winther (Zeitsch. physikal. Chenz., 1906, 56, 465) has divided the known cases of racemisation-which is defined as the transformation of an optically active substance into an isomeric inactive substanceinto four classes : (1) autoracemisation, (2) racemisation by heat, (3) racemisation due to the catalytic action of water or bases, and (4) racemisation due to other catalysts, for instance, hydrochloric acid, sulphuric acid, and aluminium chloride. I n close connexion with this phenomenon are those cases in which optical activity is wholly or partly lost during the conversion of a n optically active substance into one of i t s derivatives. During a study of the derivatives of &benzoin, frequent instances of racemisation have been encountered. &Benzoin ethyl ether is partly, and carbanilido-Lbensoin completely, racemised under the action of heat. I-Benzoin and its methyl ether are completely and rapidly racemised by the action of alcoholic potash or sodium ethoxide. Further, methyl I-mandelate undergoes partial racemisation during conversion into Lmandelsmide by the action of cold ethyl-alcoholic ammonia, whilst under the action of benzoyl chloride at a rather high temperature, of aniline at loo', and of a saturated solution of hydrogen chloride i n
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