440 PHOSPHURETTED HYDROGEN. 



BINARY COMPOUNDS OF PHOSPHORUS WITH VARIOUS BASES. 

 PHOSPHURETTED HYDROGEN.* 



1. PREPARATION. 



(a.) Hydrogen gas may be partially phosphuretted, by heating 

 phosphorus in it by the solar rays. 



(b.) The better mode is to heat a strong alkaline solution, (potash 

 or soda,) with phosphorus ; the retort may be previously filled with 

 hydrogen gas. 



(c.) To do this properly, introduce the phosphorus and fill the retort 

 with hot water as it cools, the phosphorus will congeal, and adhere 

 to the bottom, so that it will not fall out ; throw in the hydrogen gas 

 by means of a bladder and tube, or by a tut>e coming from an air 

 jar, or a gazometer ; keep the mouth of the retort down, and with 

 the finger upon it, dip it into the alkaline solution ; now expel so 

 much gas, by warming the retort, that when it cools, the requisite 

 portion of fluid may enter. 



(d.) Or, fill the retort with the alkaline solution, and throw out by 

 hydrogen gas, as much as you choose. f 



(e.) Or, we may mix lime with a strong solution of pearl ashes 

 find add the phosphrous ; or, use solution of caustic potash, phos- 

 phorus, and quick lime ; or quick lime only, and phosphorus, and wa- 

 ter. Either of these methods will succeed. The first and the last of 

 the three now named, are easy and cheap, and answer as well as the 

 more troublesome modes usually described ; the last process, which 

 is the easiest, is little inferior to any other. In all cases, it would be 

 better to wait till ebullition, when the vapor will have expelled the 

 air ; then through the tubulure of the retort, drop in the phosphorus ; 

 this saves the necessity of any other precaution. 



(/.) Phosphuret of lime, with dilute muriatic acid, and a mod- 

 erate heat ; to prevent explosion, the retort may be entirely filled 

 with the diluted acid. 



* Discovered in 1783, by Gengembre. It is called also phosphuretted and bi- 

 phospuretted hydrogen gas. 



t My method is to fill a small retort, (holding from 4 to 6 or 8 oz.) with a strong 

 alkaline solution. Drop in the phosphorus, then from a small vial with a bent tube 

 and a little iron filings and diluted acid, throw up as much hydrogen gas, as will dis- 

 place the greater part of the fluid, keeping the mouth of the retort in a bowl of the 

 same solution, then place the neck of the retort under the shelf of the tub, and ap- 

 ply a lamp. It never fails. A bottle full of the solution will last for years, as but 

 little is expended at a time. Communicated, J. G. 



I would add, that even when the air is not removed, the only precautions necessary 

 to be observed, are not to immerse the beak of the retort until it has ceased flashing 

 in the interior, "and begins to shew flame at the mouth not to immerse it deeply at 

 all, and to watch that the water does not go back by regurgitation, Author. 



