Pyrimidine, C4H4N2, itself is a water-soluble base which melts at 21° C. and possesses a narcotic smell.

It melts at 275° C. 4-Methyluracil, C5H602N2, has long been known, having first been synthesized by R.

It is a colourless solid which melts at 54° C. to a deep blue liquid.

The silver salt, obtained by shaking an ether solution of nitroform with freshly prepared, slightly moist silver oxide, reacts with methyl iodide to form trinitroethane, a crystalline solid which melts at 56° C. Concentrated caustic potash decomposes the latter compound, forming the potassium salt of dinitroethane, CH3 C(N02)2K.

It burns with a purple flame, forming carbon dioxide and nitrogen; and may be condensed (by cooling to - 25° C.) to a colourless liquid, and further to a solid, which melts at - 34.4° C. (M.