Analysis of Cerotone.

Cerotone Oxime.—This compound is new. It was prepared as follows: 1 gram of ketone was dissolved in 150 c.c. of amyl alcohol, and one and a half times the theoretical quantity of hydroxylamine hydrochloride, with an excess of caustic potash to decompose the hydrochloride, was added, and the alcohol then boiled under a reflux condenser for eight hours. It was found that unless prolonged boiling took place a poor yield of oxime was obtained. The hot solution was then filtered from the inorganic salts, and the filtrate allowed to crystallize. The crystals were filtered off, and recrystallized from ethyl acetate.

The oxime thus obtained melted at 77°, and the melting-point was not changed by further crystallization. The oxime is easily soluble in hot ethyl acetate and amyl alcohol, but is only sparingly soluble in hot alcohol. The crystals from the ethyl-acetate or motor-spirit crystallizations are groups of radiating needles.