524 



derivatives of phosphoretted hydrogen. The time for resuming the 

 study of the phosphorus-bases had in fact arrived . 



We have been engaged for a considerable time in the investigation 

 of this subject, and now beg to offer to the Royal Society in the 

 following pages a short abstract of our results. 



In the first place, we have endeavoured to obtain the bases cor- 

 responding to phosphoretted hydrogen, by a method analogous to 

 that followed by M. Paul Thenard, simply substituting for the 

 chloride of methyl the iodide, and for the phosphide of calcium 

 the more energetic phosphide of sodium. After many unsuccessful 

 experiments, however, we were compelled to abandon this plan, 

 which is quite uncertain, unproductive, and highly dangerous. 



The question then resolved itself into the discovery of a method 

 which would yield us the desired substances conveniently, without 

 danger, in considerable quantity, and in a state of absolute purity. 



It appeared that the action of terchloride of phosphorus on 

 zinc-methyl, zinc-ethyl, &c., the remarkable substances discovered 

 by Dr. Frankland some years ago, would enable us to attain the con- 

 templated result. Experiment has fully confirmed this anticipation. 

 The bases Me 3 P and E 3 P, the products of this reaction, which 

 we propose to call respectively trimethylphosphine and triethyl- 

 phosphine, remain united with chloride of zinc, and a simple di- 

 lution with an alkali is all that is necessary to liberate them. 

 SZnCl, Me 3 P+6KO=3KCl + 3KO, ZnO + Me 3 P 

 SZnCl, E 3 P+6KO=3KCl + 3KO,ZnO + E 3 P 

 They are obtained in this way as volatile oils, of a peculiar and 

 strongly marked odour, and possessing distinctly basic properties. 



We limit ourselves in this abstract to giving a synoptical table 

 of the several compounds which have been the subject of our re- 

 searches, the preparation and properties of which, together with the 

 analytical details, are fully given in the complete paper which accom- 

 panies this note. 



Methyl-series. 



Trimethylphosphine Me 3 P 



Platinochloride of trimethylphosphine . Me 3 P, HC1, PtCl 2 



Binoxide of trimethylphosphine Me 3 P O 2 



Bisulphide of ditto Me 3 P S 2 



Biselenide of ditto Me 3 PSe 2 



