Amid'ogen

Amid'ogen, or DIAMIDE, $\backslash text\{NH\}\_2\; -\; \backslash text\{NH\}\_2$, was till lately looked upon as a hypothetical body, to which the formula $\backslash text\{NH\}\_2$ was assigned. Curtius has, however, recently produced the sulphate of amidogen, from which amidogen itself is obtained by the action of an alkali. It is a gas, possessing (when concentrated) a peculiar odour somewhat similar to that of ammonia, and when inhaled it strongly affects the nose and fauces. It possesses an alkaline reaction, and unites with acids to form salts. Research shows that its formula must be $\backslash text\{NH\}\_2\; -\; \backslash text\{NH\}\_2$, and not $\backslash text\{NH\}\_2$. See ALKALOIDS.