309 



XIII. " Further Remarks on the Organo-metallic Radicals, and 

 Observations more particularly directed to the isolation of 

 Mercuric, Plumbic, and Stannic Ethyl." By GEORGE 

 BOWDLER BUCKTON, Esq., F.R.S. Received June 17, 1858. 



Before again entering on the subject of the organo-metals, the 

 author wishes to call attention to the remarks he has previously 

 made* on the difficulties which presented themselves at that time in 

 the preparation of mercuric ethyl. Secondary decompositions, 

 induced by the nature of the materials employed and the high 

 temperature necessary to the reaction, showed themselves even in 

 the more easily prepared mercuric methyl, and reduced the quantity 

 obtained considerably below that pointed out by theory. 



The loss sustained in the similar operation of distilling together 

 cyanide of potassium and iodide of mercurous ethyl, C 4 H 5 Hg 2 1, is 

 yet more marked; and it may be remembered that the portion 

 obtained did no more than suffice for a cursory examination of its 

 most marked characters. A new mode of operating was therefore 

 desirable, and it was not long before the following considerations 

 presented themselves. 



The powerful and well-defined affinities of zinc-ethyl have already 

 furnished a valuable key to the explanation of several chemical 

 problems, and seem to be well suited for experiment in the present 

 case. Bearing in mind its well-known reactions on water and hydro- 

 chloric acid, there appeared to be well-grounded reasons for supposing 

 that interesting decompositions might be effected with various oxides, 

 chlorides, and iodides. 



Through the instrumentality of zinc-ethyl the author has succeeded 

 in isolating, in a neat and efficient manner, several of the organo- 

 metals, and he indulges a hope that they may, when taken as starting- 

 points of investigation, prove of service in fixing exact formulae to 

 some of those bodies, the composition of which, at present, appear 

 doubtful from their complexity. 



Action of Zinc- ethyl on Mercuric Chloride. 

 Corrosive sublimate acts with great energy on zinc-ethyl ; so much 



* Phil. Trans. Roy. Soc. ; Proc. Roy. Soc. vol. ix. p. 91. 



