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Action of light upon ferric citrate
122
CURRENT TOVlCS.
[J. F. I.
Action of Light upon Ferric Citrate. According to JosEPtI B. BURT (flour. Am. Pharm. Asso., I928 , 17, 650-658 ) the magma of ferric hydroxide does not dissolve completely in a solution of citric acid when the two compounds are present in exactly molecular proportions; an excess of the acid is required to produce complete solution of the hydroxide. Study was made of the action of sunlight upon the resulting solution, (I) as prepared, (2).after complete neutralization with ammonia water, and (3) after half neutralization with that base. At the end of two days, the solutions containing free citric acid had become colorless, and carbon dioxide gas had been evolved from them. Acetone was also formed; b u t formaldehyde was absent. One molecule of citric acid was oxidized with the formation of one molecule of acetone, three molecules of carbon dioxide, and one molecule of water. The acid solution as prepared yielded more gas than the half-neutralized solution. The completely neutralized solution became lighter in color, but did not become colorless ; and no gas was evolved from it. The end point of the reaction apparently depended upon the complete reduction of the iron to the ferrous state, rather than on the exhaustion of an excess of citric acid. Use of quartz vessels instead of vessels of ordinary glass did not increase the yield of carbon dioxide, other conditions being constant; therefore, the light need not necessarily be rich in ultra-violet rays. The end point was not very definite, for the iron in the reduced solution was partially re-oxidized when this solution was permitted to stand in diffused light. It is recommended that solutions of this type, for example, the elixir of iron, quinine and strychnine, and the elixir of iron, quinine and strychnine phosphates, be rendered as nearly neutral as possible, and then be kept in containers of amber glass. J. s. H. Essential Otis as Antiferments. ELLERYH. HARVEY (Am. J. _Pharmacy, I928 , ioo, 524-529) has determined the value of thirtytwo typical essential oils by means of their influence on the hydrolysis of sugar by yeast. The essential oils of clove, cinnamon, thyme, and wintergreen were found to rank high in effectiveness. Absorption of ultra-violet radiation affected both the color and the antiferment value of essential oils. Such oils should be kept in brown bottles, and not in blue or clear glass bottles. Acetic acid, in concentrations above 1.5 per cent., was found to be an efficient antiferment. J. S. H.
CURRENT TOVlCS.
[J. F. I.
Action of Light upon Ferric Citrate. According to JosEPtI B. BURT (flour. Am. Pharm. Asso., I928 , 17, 650-658 ) the magma of ferric hydroxide does not dissolve completely in a solution of citric acid when the two compounds are present in exactly molecular proportions; an excess of the acid is required to produce complete solution of the hydroxide. Study was made of the action of sunlight upon the resulting solution, (I) as prepared, (2).after complete neutralization with ammonia water, and (3) after half neutralization with that base. At the end of two days, the solutions containing free citric acid had become colorless, and carbon dioxide gas had been evolved from them. Acetone was also formed; b u t formaldehyde was absent. One molecule of citric acid was oxidized with the formation of one molecule of acetone, three molecules of carbon dioxide, and one molecule of water. The acid solution as prepared yielded more gas than the half-neutralized solution. The completely neutralized solution became lighter in color, but did not become colorless ; and no gas was evolved from it. The end point of the reaction apparently depended upon the complete reduction of the iron to the ferrous state, rather than on the exhaustion of an excess of citric acid. Use of quartz vessels instead of vessels of ordinary glass did not increase the yield of carbon dioxide, other conditions being constant; therefore, the light need not necessarily be rich in ultra-violet rays. The end point was not very definite, for the iron in the reduced solution was partially re-oxidized when this solution was permitted to stand in diffused light. It is recommended that solutions of this type, for example, the elixir of iron, quinine and strychnine, and the elixir of iron, quinine and strychnine phosphates, be rendered as nearly neutral as possible, and then be kept in containers of amber glass. J. s. H. Essential Otis as Antiferments. ELLERYH. HARVEY (Am. J. _Pharmacy, I928 , ioo, 524-529) has determined the value of thirtytwo typical essential oils by means of their influence on the hydrolysis of sugar by yeast. The essential oils of clove, cinnamon, thyme, and wintergreen were found to rank high in effectiveness. Absorption of ultra-violet radiation affected both the color and the antiferment value of essential oils. Such oils should be kept in brown bottles, and not in blue or clear glass bottles. Acetic acid, in concentrations above 1.5 per cent., was found to be an efficient antiferment. J. S. H.