Effects of Nitrobenzene and Benzene on Valonia

The effects of nitrobenzene and of benzene resemble those of guaiacol and of hexylresorcinol. The P.D. changes in a positive direction and then in a negative direction. The latter change may bring the P.D. back to the starting point with guaiacol and hexylresorcinol but with nitrobenzene and benzene this is not always the case. The positive potential change produced by nitrobenzene and benzene may be antagonized to some extent by ammonia. Nitrobenzene and benzene raise the electrical resistance and this is antagonized to some extent by ammonia. The results afford a further illustration of the important fact that the behavior of inorganic ions can be changed by organic substances. The apparent mobility of Na(+) is increased and that of K(+) decreased by nitrobenzene and benzene (as is also the case with guaiacol and hexylresorcinol).