C3H6N2O3  =

CO2+C2H5OH +N2 (alkalis), 2C3H6N2O3=2CO2+C2H5OH+2N2+H2O+C2H` (acids) . On oxidation it yields nitro-urethane . With a methyl alcoholic solution of potash it yields a yellow precipitate, which is probably the potassium salt of nitrosocarbamic acid, NK•NO•CO2K . Nitro-urethane, NO2•NH•CO2C2H5, formed by dissolving urethane in concentrated sulphuric acid and adding ethyl nitrate to the well-cooled mixture (J . Thiele, ibid.), crystallizes in plates which melt at 64° C. and is soluble in water . It has a strongly acid reaction, its salts, however, being neutral . Its silver salt with methyl iodide gives a methyl ether, which is readily split by ammonia into methyl nitramine and methyl urethane (cf . A . P . Franchimont, Rec. tray. chim., 1894, 13, p . 309) . On reduction with zinc dust and acetic acid it yields hydrazine carboxylic ester .

Phenyl urethena, C6H5NH•CO2C2H5, is formed by the

action of cyanformic ester on aniline at too° C.; by the action of absolute alcohol on benzoyl azoimide (T . Curtius, Jour. peak . Chem.12], 52, p . 214); and by the action of bromine and sodium ethylate on benzamide (E . Jeffreys, Amer . Chem . Jour., 1899, 22, p . 41) . It crystallizes in long needles which melt at 51–52° C. and boil at 227–228° C . (with partial de-composition) . It is easily soluble in alcohol and when heated in a sealed tube yields aniline and urea . With phosphorus pentasulphide it yields phenyl mustard oil .

Physiologically urethane has a rapid hypnotic action, producing a

calm sleep and having no depressant effect on the circulation . It is much used as an anaesthetic for animals . Di-urethane, NH (CO2C2H5)2, and hedonal, NH2CO2CH (CH3) . (C3H7), are also narcotics, the latter being, in addition, a powerful diuretic . Phenyl urethane or euphorin has a physiological action more like that of acetanilide and phenacetin than of urethane . It depresses the temperature and is an analgesic . It is of little value as an hypnotic .