80 JOURNAL OF THE 



THE ACTION OF PHOSPHORUS UPON CERTAIN 



METALLIC SALTS. 



BY GASTON BATTLE. 



The action of phosphorus upon vsolutions of copper sulphate 

 has been examined with some detail.* The precipitates given 

 with certain metallic solutions by phosphorus dissolved in carbon 

 bisulphide have also been noted. f But no account could be 

 found of any research upon the prolonged action of phosphorus 

 upon aqueous solutions of the ordinary metallic salts. 



An investigation of these changes was, therefore, begun but 

 interrupted and finally finished under pressure for time, conse- 

 quently it cannot be looked upon as complete or satisfactory and 

 is reported only to show the progress made and to place on 

 record whatever new facts were observed. The solutions experi- 

 mented upon and the results were as follows: 



1st. A solution of Silver Nitrate. 



The phosphorus was added in thin shavings and the whole 

 placed in the dark. On the first day needle-like crystals were 

 f )rmed. By the third day these had lost much of their lustre 

 and a dirty white residue began to be formed. On the fourtii 

 day a heavy sp )ngy mass had formed over the phosphorus. 



Qualitative tests showed the j)r(\sence of nitric, phosphoric, 

 and jJiosphorous acids in the liquid and in the solid residue silver 

 and silver phosphide. A quantitative analysis gave 99.19 p. c. 

 of silver. These tests were made after the solution had stood 

 two months or more, and show that the silver was almost per- 

 Icitly reduced from solution. 



2il. Solution of PotasHimn Bichromate. 



After two months' standing of a dilute solution of this salt 

 over phosphorus it had turned green and there was a dirty green- 

 ish deposit over the phosphorus. The excess of phosphorus was 



*Lompt. Rend. 84, 1454. Tliis Journal, Vol. II, p. 57. 

 fZeit. Cliern. IV, IGl. 



