PYRO ACETIC SPIRIT

A liquid formed during the destructive distillation of acetate of lead. Wht n carefully purified, it has a peculiar spirituous odour, is limpid, and very inflammable; its specific gravity is 0-792, and it boils at 132°. It consists of 3 car. + 3 h. + ox. Hence 1 equivalent of acetic acid (4 car. + 3 h. + 3 ox.) corresponds to 1 equivalent of pyro acetic spirit and 1 of carbonic acid: hence dry acetate of baryta is resolved by heat into carbonate of baryta and pyro acetic spirit. The term acetone is now commonly applied to this compound. PYRO-ACIDS. {Gr.xv^.) The prefix;};/?-o is usually applied to the products which are obtained by subjecting certain organic acids to heat. The acids are thus modified, and give rise to distinct cla es of salts. Thus we have the pyrogallic. pyromalic, pyro tartaric acids, . [s. 1015]