489 



triethylphosphine participates only indirectly in the reaction ; in 

 giving rise to the transformation of the cyanate, the phosphorous 

 body plays the part of a ferment, a comparison which is moreover 

 suggested by the large proportion of cyanate over which the influence 

 of a minute quantity of phosphorus-base extends. A glass rod 

 moistened with triethylphosphine solidifies, almost instantaneously, 

 a considerable quantity of the cyanate. The transformation of the 

 cyanate under the influence of triethylphosphine, into cyanurate, 

 although the principal phase of the reaction, is attended by other 

 changes which I intend to examine more minutely by and by. 



Very different results were obtained by substituting for the cyanate 

 the sulphocyanide of phenyl. The reaction between this body and 

 triethylphosphine is very violent, and frequently gives rise to the in- 

 flammation of the phosphorus-base. The mixture assumes a deep 

 yellow colour, and often deposits splendid yellow needles on cooling ; 

 frequently, however, it remains liquid for hours and even for days, 

 but suddenly solidifies, when touched with a glass rod, into a hard, 

 yellow, crystalline mass. This substance is insoluble in water; it 

 dissolves with the greatest facility in alcohol, hot or cold, likewise in 

 warm, less so in cold ether. Recrystallization from boiling ether 

 affords, in fact, the best means of procuring the new body in a state 

 of purity. This end is likewise considerably facilitated, by allowing 

 the sulphocyanide of phenyl to act upon the triethylphosphine in the 

 presence of a considerable quantity of ether. 



In the pure state the new compound presents itself in the form of 

 well-defined prisms of uranium-yellow colour, which fuse at 61 C. 

 They cannot be heated much beyond their fusing-point without being 

 altered; at 100 C. they are entirely decomposed, evolving a most 

 peculiar odour, which is also observed on evaporating the ethereal 

 mother-liquor. 



The new compound possesses the characters of a well-defined base. 

 Quite insoluble in water, it dissolves in the most dilute acids, form- 

 ing with some of them, such as hydrochloric and hydrobromic acid, 

 beautifully crystallized saline compounds. From these salts the base 

 may be separated again by cautiously adding either potassa or am- 

 monia. The hydrochloric solution of the base yields with dichloride 

 of platinum a yellow crystalline precipitate, sparingly soluble in 

 water, insoluble in alcohol and ether. 



