C. L. Jackson— Methyl aud Benzyl Compounds. 141 
ous solutions of the nitrate and potassic iodide were mixed. 
The red precipitate was washed with water and alcohol. Only 
approximate results were obtained on analysis, as, owing to the 
great instability of the substance it was impossible to obtain it 
erfectly pure. It is a brick-red powder, which even in vacuo 
gradually decomposes, iodine being set free. It is insoluble in 
water, quite soluble in alcohol and. ether, but its solutions are 
completely decomposed even by spontaneous evaporation, so 
that no crystals could obtained. The substance breaks up, 
in the same way as the bromide, into methylselenide and 
iodine. 
Various attempts to prepare the oxide (CH,),SeO by treat- 
ing (CH,),SeCl, with Ag,O were unsuccessful, as the argentic 
chloride formed blackened almost immediately. from formation 
of argentic selenide. The cyanide (CH,),s Se(CN), seems to be 
extremely unstable. I did not succeed in preparing a in a 
form fit for examination, either by the action of KC the 
nitrate or of AgCN on the chloride. A sulphate, sashabily 
(CH,),SeSO,, was prepared by the action of argentic sulphate 
on the chloride, but was not investigated. 
Methyl Selenide Platinie ee (CH, ), Se], PtCl,.— When 
methyl selenide is poured into an aqueous “solution of platinic 
chloride a pale red precipitate is formed, which boiled ae 
water becomes suddenly bright lemon ellow—the chan 
color is very striking—and can then be crystallized from a “ia 
quantity of hot alcohol by slow evaporation. e crystals 
were washed with cold alcohol, and the platinum determined 
by ignition; as with all other platinum compounds containing 
‘selenium, very long-continued ignition over the blast-lamp was 
necessary to drive off the last traces of selenium. 
Caleulated for eta sleF iO Observed. 
Platinum: 2)... 35°48 <u 
Oar iiss cess ey bane 8°94 
Hydrogen....... 2°16 +R 2°42 
It crystallizes in minute yellow plates made up of pennate 
roups of needles; when ignited below redness it gives off 
methylselenide and turns black; is very slightly soluble in 
water, sparingly soluble in hot alcohol, insoluble in ether. 
Brenzyt Compounps. 
Benzyl Monoselenide (C,H,CH,),Se—Sodic monoselenide 
formed by the action of phosphoric pentaselenide on alcoholic 
soda was a with: benzyl chloride in a flask with a return- 
cooler. The liquid gave on cooling, white needles of benzyl 
monoselenide, followed by yellow scales of benzyl diselenide, 
the two substances were separated by recrystallization from 
