RESEARCHES UPON THE CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OP GASES. 201 



The compounds produced by the action of methyl hydrosulphide upon metallic 

 oxides are the true mercaptides. Typical of these is the mercury mercaptide, which 

 results as follows : 



HgO + 2 CHjSH = (CH3S)2Hg + H^O. 



The yellow lead compound is (CH3S)2Pb. The copper compoimd is (CH3S)jCu. 

 The silver compound is (CHS)Ag (see Klason, loc. cit., and Richter, Org. Chem., 

 trs. by Smith, p. 143). CH3SH also combines with metallic chlorides. 



HgClj + CH3SH = CHaSHgCl + HCl. 



According to this reaction, numerous metallic compounds are formed. These com- 

 pounds change more or less readily, on exposure to air, into methyl alcohol and 

 metallic sulphide (Klason). 



Jieactions. 



The vapor was caused to bubble through various solutions with the following 

 results : 



REAGENTS. REACTIONS. 



Palladium chloride Cinnamon-colored, flocculent precipitate in strong or 



weak solutions. Insoluble in hydrochloric acid, 

 nitric acid, sulphuric acid, aquaregia, ammonia and 

 caustic soda, in the cold or at 100°. Extremely 

 delicate reaction. 



Platinum chloride Yellowish-brown, flocculent precipitate in dilute or con- 

 centrated solution. Insoluble in the strong acids 

 and alkalies, and in this respect similar to the pal- 

 ladium compound. 



Iridium chloride Yellow precipitate, resembling in appearance the plat- 

 inum compound. 



Gold chloride Light yellow, very voluminous precipitate, changing 



gradually to white as the passage of the gas is 

 continued, and finally redissolving to a clear solu- 

 tion. 



Mercuric chloride , White, flocculent precipitate. Darkens slightly on expos- 

 ure to air and light. Extremely delicate reaction. 



Copper sulphate Straw -yellow precipitate, insoluble in ammonia. Dark- 

 ens rapidly. Soluble in hydrochloric acid. The 

 hydrochloric acid solution of the precipitate con- 

 tains cuprous chloride. 



Ammoniacal copper sulphate Yellow precipitate like the preceding. Soluble in hy- 

 drochloric acid to cuprous salt. Rapidly darkens. 



Cuprous chloride White, flocculent precipitate, changing to crystalline 



needles. More stable than the preceding compound. 



Silver nitrate Yellow precipitate, resembling in appearance the cop- 

 per compound. Insoluble in ammonia. Rapidly 

 blackens. 



