190 



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 



^38 H 46 P g I 8 , 



which represents a compound of one molecule of iodoform, and three 

 molecules of triethylphosphine, 



3C I3 H 18 P+C 2 HI 8 =C 88 H 16 P 3 I a . 



Triethyl- Iodoform. 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 2 H) 



(4^5)3 I po 



(C 4 H 5 ) 3 ^ P3 

 -(PiH.), 



in 



13. 



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 zinc, 



C 38 H 46 P 3 I 3 , 3ZnI. 



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 

 C 38 H 46 P 3 Cl 3 ,3PtCl 2 . 



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. 

 By treating its solution with hydriodic acid, or with hydrochloric 

 acid and dichloride of platinum, it is at once perceived that the action 



