Distillation is continued until that which at last passes over is not inflammable. With the above-mentioned proportions 88 parts of acetic ether are formed, but as some water always passes over, distillation need not be interrupted until the receiver contains at least 90 parts of crude ether. The crude ether always contains more or less water, some alcohol, and a small quantity of free acetic acid. With the above-mentioned proportions, the content of alcohol can, however, be only very small. To neutralize the acetic acid, add some burnt magnesia or shake with carbonate of soda solution until the acid reaction disappears. For the absorption of the water and alcohol, add as much sharply dried (not fused) calcium chloride as the fluid will dissolve, and then let it stand with an excess of the salt for one day. The calcium chloride combines with the water and alcohol and separates as a heavy layer beneath the ether. The latter is decanted off and brought into a rectifying vessel--a copper still, heated by steam, and provided with a cooling pipe. The ether is distilled off at a moderate heat, the last portion, about 1/10, being caught in a special receiver, to be again rectified at the next operation. According to Grossschopf, 40 lbs. of pulverized anhydrous sodium acetate, together with a cooled mixture of 46 lbs. of concentrated sulphuric acid and 37 lbs. of 95 per cent. alcohol, free from fusel oil, are distilled in a copper still heated by steam. Distillation is continued with constant stirring by means of an apparatus in the still, until no more fluid smelling and tasting of acetic ether passes over. The crude distillate, amounting to 55 or 56 lbs., is brought into bottles which are filled ⅔ full. The bottles are then filled up with water and potassium carbonate is added until the fluid, after shaking, shows no acid reaction. The aqueous fluid beneath the ether is then drawn off by means of a siphon, and the ether several times washed by shaking with water and allowing to settle. Since the wash-water absorbs a quite considerable quantity of ether, it is collected and subjected to rectification, whereby an alcoholic acetic ether is obtained. The ether, being freed from acetic acid and alcohol by neutralization and washing, is brought in contact with fused calcium chloride to free it from water, and finally rectified over magnesia. In this manner 36 to 37 lbs. of pure acetic ether are obtained. Acetic ether is a clear, colorless fluid of a pleasant, etheral odor. It boils at 170.6° F., and at 59° F. its specific gravity is 0.9068. Pure acetic ether dissolves in 11 to 12 parts of water; a content of alcohol or the addition of water increases its solubility. Hence, its solubility in water is a criterion of its purity.