In the experiments on the conversion of nitrous gas into nitrous oxide, by nascent hydrogene, and by sulphurated hydrogene, [Res. I. Divis. V]. probably the water formed at the same time with the ammoniac and nitrous oxide, prevented them from entering into combination; possibly the peculiar compound was formed, but in quantities so minute as not to be distinguished from simple ammoniac;[162] for even the existence of ammoniac in these processes, is but barely perceptible.
If it should be proved by future experiments, that in the decomposition of nitrous gas by nascent hydrogene, a peculiar compound of nitrous oxide, water and ammoniac, is formed, it will afford proofs in favor of the doctrine of predisposing affinity;[163] for then this decomposition might be supposed to depend upon the disposition of oxygene, hydrogene and nitrogene to assume the states of combination in which they might form a triple compound, of water, nitrous oxide, and ammoniac.
Nitrous oxide might probably be made to combine with ammoniac by exposing a mixture of nitrous gas and aëriform ammoniac, to the sulphites.
It is probable that nitrous oxide may be combined with ammoniac, by means of double affinity. Perhaps sulphate of ammoniac and the combination of potash with nitrous oxide mingled together in solution, would be converted into sulphate of potash and the compound of nitrous oxide, and ammoniac.
X. Probability of forming Compounds of Nitrous Oxide
and the Alkaline Earths.
I attempted to combine nitrous oxide with lime and strontian, by exposing sulphites of lime and strontian with excess of earth, to nitrous gas; but this process did not succeed: the diminution took place so slowly as to destroy all hopes of gaining any results in a definite time. Sulphite of potash is decomposable by barytes, strontian, and lime;[164] consequently it was impossible to employ this substance to effect the combination.
As the dry sulphures, when well made, convert nitrous gas into nitrous oxide, it is probable that the union of the earths with nascent nitrous oxide may be effected by exposing nitrous gas to their sulphures, containing an excess of earth.
Perhaps the combination of nitrous oxide with strontian may be effected by introducing the combination of potash and nitrous oxide into strontian lime water.
It is probable that nitrous oxide may be combined with clay and magnesia, by exposing these bodies, mingled with sulphite of potash or soda, to nitrous gas.
XI. Additional Observations on the combinations
of Nitrous Oxide with the Alkalies.