Aniline

Aniline, or Phenylamine. First isolated in 1820 by Unverdorben, who prepared it from indigo. Its preparation from the distillation products of coal and its resources as a colouring matter were of much later discovery. Within the last twenty years aniline has acquired an immense importance in the dyeing industry, which it has completely revolutionised. Aniline is usually prepared by reducing nitro-benzine with ferrous acetate; it is a colourless and transparent oily liquid, slightly soluble in water, but dissolves in all proportions in alcohol, ether, and most organic solvents. Combines with acids to form salts. The discovery of the first aniline colour, Aniline-Purple or Mauve, was made by Perkin in 1856; and Rosaniline or Magenta was isolated by Hofmann two years later. Since then, by treating aniline with various reagents a wonderful range of colours has been obtained of every conceivable hue.