THE PREPARATION OF ALKYL-SULPHINE, SELENINE, AND PHOSPHONIUM SALTS. 49 
obtained was identified by its properties and by two iodine estimations. It was found 
to contain 45.98 and 45.90 per cent. of iodine (calculated, 46.35), 
An alternative method of procedure, which we have found to work extremely well 
in this case, instead of using silver oxide, is to saturate the solution obtained after 
the hydrogen sulphide reaction with potash. The tetraethyl-phosphonium iodide (as 
in Hofmann’s process) separates out, on warming, as a light oily layer; and this can 
be then purified completely and easily by crystallisation from alcohol. This alternative 
method also works when applied to the preparation of triethyl sulphine iodide; but 
we are not able to state whether it gives as good a yield as the silver oxide treatment. 
