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Basil Valentine (15th century), a Benedictine monk who prepared muriatic acid (hydrochloric acid) by the action of oil of vitriol (sulfuric acid) on marine salt, prepared muriatic ether (ethyl chloride). "This I also say that , when the spirit of common salt (HCl) unites with the spirit of wine (ethanol), and is distilled three times, it becomes sweet, and it loses its sharpness." Roscoe and Schorlemmer, Treatise on Chemistry, Vol. III, Pt. I, 1884, pg. 342. |