2283 2. The yield of oxalic acid increases with an increase in both the temperature employed and an increase in the concentration of the alkali, while that of acetic acid diminishes with a decrease in temperature and an increase in the concentration of the alkali. 3. The production of carbon dioxide increases with the temperature. In neutral permanganate solutions acetone should be oxidized completely to carbon dioxide a t about 164'. Acetic acid and carbon dioxide arise from the oxidation of

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... etaldehyde and methylene, respectively. The presence of oxalic acid in neutral solutions is due to the very slow oxidation of acetic acid and the oxidation of vinyl alcohol. Acetone in aqueous solution must exist in equilibrium with isoacetone. An increase in the concentration of the alkali increases isoacetone formation. . Our experiments also confirm the views of Denis and Witzemann that acetol is an intermediate product in the oxidation of acetone. 6. The maximum and minimum effect observed for acetic and oxalic acids, respectively, a t higher concentration of alkali in the oxidation of acetol were not observed in our work. 4. A part of the results given in this article was made the basis for a thesis presented to the Graduate Faculty of the University of Illinois by Walter F. Goebel in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts. Menschutkin, J . prakt. Chem., 29, 422 (1844). a Ostwald, ibid., 27, 1 (1883).