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XIII. " On a New Phosphite of Ethyl, 3C 4 H 6 O, P0 3 ." By 

 A. W. WILLIAMSON, Ph.D., &c. Communicated by Dr. 

 SHARPEY, Sec. R.S. Received June 15, 1854. 



The following results were obtained by Mr. Railton in an in- 

 vestigation undertaken in connexion with the idea that the water 

 of constitution discovered by Wurtz may be conceived as basic. 

 The processes for preparing the compound are thus described by 

 Mr. Railton. 



1st. When three atoms of absolute alcohol are acted upon by one 

 atom of PC1 3 , this compound is formed. The alcohol is introduced 

 into a retort which is connected with an apparatus for upward distil- 

 lation, and the retort is surrounded with a freezing mixture. The 

 terchloride is then added drop by drop, the whole is then gently 

 heated for some time, the vapour being allowed to run back into the 

 retort. It is now distilled and the portion which comes off between 

 140 C. and 196 C. collected and redistilled, that portion being pre- 

 served which boils between 188 and 191 C. The quantity of pure 

 ether obtained by this process was not large, and there was left in 

 the retort a considerable amount of PO 3 and other products, which 

 on further heating evolved inflammable phosphuretted hydrogen. 



2nd. This ether is obtained with the greatest facility from ethy- 

 late of soda and terchloride of phosphorus. 



I introduce into a thirty ounce stoppered retort about a pint of 

 ether, which must be perfectly free from alcohol and from water. 

 The ethylate of soda is then added, and as much PC1 3 is taken as 

 is necessary to form chloride of sodium and phosphite of ethyl. The 

 ether is absolutely necessary, for without it, the action of the PC1 3 is 

 so violent, as to set fire to the ethylate. 



The PC1 3 is introduced into the mixture of ether and ethylate of 

 soda through a long funnel, which is drawn to an extremely fine 

 point, by which means it enters drop by drop into the mixture, thus 

 avoiding the violent action which otherwise occurs. 



The retort should be kept quite cool and frequently shaken. If 

 these precautions are neglected considerable loss is experienced. 



When the whole of the PC1 3 has been added, the ether is distilled 

 off by a water-bath. The retort is then transferred to an oil-bath 



