Amylene, a transparent, colorless, thin liquid, with the odor of decaying cabbage, boiling at 102° F., vapor density 2.43, sp. gr. 0.65. It is produced by the dehydration of amylic alcohol by sulphuric acid or phosphoric acid. It was discovered in 1844 by M. Balard, by heating a solution of chloride of zinc with amylic alcohol or fusel oil, and in a compound of 5 atoms of carbon with 10 of hydrogen. In its preparation a concentrated aqueous solution of chloride of zinc is heated to 266° F. with an equal volume of amylic alcohol, and the product distilled from a water bath over caustic potash and repeatedly rectified. It is very volatile, mixes with alcohol and ether, burns with a beautiful white flame, combines directly and energetically with bromine, the hydracids, and chloride of sulphur, and its vapor is rapidly absorbed by sulphuric anhydride and per-chloride of antimony. Amylene is the third homologue of olefiant gas or ethylene, and like the latter is the starting point of a multitude of compounds which are derived from it by addition, substitution, or subtraction.

An attempt was made to substitute it for chloroform as an amiesthetic in surgical operations; but this use has been abandoned, as its employment has in a few cases led to fatal results.