D. Hofmann on Triphosphonium-compounds, 461 
phosphorus-base when submitted to the action of triatomic chlorides, 
bromides, and iodides. 
The most accessible terms of this group being chloroform, bromo- 
form, and iodoform, the changes of triethylphosphine under the in- 
fluence of these agents have more especially claimed my attention. 
Action of Iodoform on Triethylphosphine. 
Both substances unite with energy at the common temperature. 
In order to avoid the inflammation of the phosphorus-base, small 
quantities of the materials should be mixed at a time. The products 
of the reaction vary with the relative proportions of the two sub- 
stances. 
By adding gradually crystals of iodoform to a moderate bulk of 
triethylphosphine until a new addition produces no longer an eleva- 
tion of temperature, a viscous mass of a clear yellow colour is obtained, 
which, when treated with alcohol, changes to a white powder of cry- 
stalline aspect; these crystals are easily soluble in water, difficultly 
soluble in alcohol, and insoluble in ether. Two or three crystalliza- 
tions from boiling alcohol render them perfectly pure. The analysis 
of this body has led me to the formula 
C,, Hy, P, 1, 
which represents a compound of one molecule of iodoform, and three 
molecules of triethylphosphine, 
3 C,, H,, P-+C, H 1,=C,, Hi, P, I,. 
Triethyl- Todoform. New Compound. 
phosphine. 
Iodoform thus fixes three molecules of triethylphosphine, giving 
rise to the formation of the tri-iodide of a triatomic metal, of a tri- 
phosphonium corresponding to three molecules of chloride of ammo- 
nium. (C, ny wt 
C,, H,,P, 1,.= ten P3 |I3. 
(C, H,), 
The aqueous solution of the iodide yields with iodide of zinc a 
white crystalline precipitate which is difficultly soluble in water, and 
appears to be slightly decomposed by recrystallization. It consists 
of one molecule of the triatomic iodide and three molecules of iodide 
of zine, C,, H,, P, I,, 3 Zn I. 
By treating the tri-iodide with the various salts of silver, a series 
of triatomic compounds is easily obtained, which contain the different 
acids. 
The trichloride furnishes with dichloride of platinum a pale-yellow 
precipitate, which is insoluble in water, but dissolves in boiling con- 
centrated hydrochloric acid. From this solution it is deposited on 
cooling in brilliant rectangular plates, which contain 
€,, H,, P,,Cl, 3 Pt Cl. 
I have vainly tried to produce a trioxide which would correspond 
to the tri-iodide. 
The tri-iodide is promptly attacked by oxide of silver, with formation 
of iodide of silver, and of an exceedingly caustic fixed base, which 
remains in solution, This base no longer belongs to the same series. 
