A solution is made of 18.6 grams (0.2 mole) of aniline in a mixture of 45 cc. concentrated hydrochloric acid (21° Be) and 45 cc. water. The solution is cooled to 0°C. in an ice-salt bath, and a solution of 14 grams of sodium nitrite in 40 cc. water is added slowly with good stirring so that the temperature does not rise above 2°. Stirring is continued for 10 minutes, after which the solution should be strongly acid to Congo red and give a weak test for nitrite with starch-iodide paper. (If the weak nitrite reaction is not obtained, a few more drops of nitrite solution should be added. See page 243.) 4 grams of soda ash is now added carefully to neutralize most of the excess hydrochloric acid, leaving the solution very slightly acid to Congo red. The solution is then added slowly to a stirred, cold solution of 28 grams of salicylic acid (0.2 mole plus
0. 4 gram excess) in a mixture of 33 cc. sodium hydroxide solution (40° Вё), 67 cc. water, and 2 grams of soda ash. The temperature is kept below 5° by external cooling. The coupling reaction begins immediately with the formation of a deep yellow color, and at the start, the diazonium compound disappears instantaneously. When about half of the diazo solution has been added, the dye begins to separate and soon a thick, brownish paste is formed. The coupling reaction is now slower, and after all of the diazo solution has been added, stirring must be continued for 5 to 6 hours at 0-5°, until no diazo compound is detectable in the reaction mixture. The dye is almost completely precipitated in finely crystal
line form and can easily be obtained in a pure state, if desired, by filtering and washing with dilute salt solution. However, the dye need not be isolated for the reduction step which follows.