204 Drs. Letts and Collie on the Salts of 



Approximately the ratio 



1:3 : 2; 



and indicating that the gas was ethylene ; for 



C 2 H 4 + 30 2 = 2C0 2 + 2H 2 0. 

 1 vol. + 3 vols. = 2 vols. 



From these results it will be seen that the chloride of 

 tetrethylphosphonium, when heated, decomposes nearly quanti- 

 tatively into the hydrochlorate of trie thy Iphosphine and ethylene 

 pas. 



8 grms. of the salt should yield theoretically 980 cub.centim. 

 of ethylene gas and 5 grms. of triethy Iphosphine; the amounts 

 obtained were 910 cub. centim. of pure ethylene and 4*3 grms. 

 of the free phosphiue. This reaction we consider to be of 

 great interest, as affording a ready method for obtaining a 

 tertiary phosphine from a phosphonium derivative. 



Some of the other salts of tetrethylphosphonium with in- 

 organic acids were prepared, and the action of heat on them 

 was also investigated. 



The sulphide and hydro sulphide of tetrethylphosphonium 

 were obtained by the action of sulphuretted hydrogen on a 

 solution of the base in water. The solutions were strongly 

 alkaline, and when evaporated in vacuo over sulphuric acid 

 gave highly deliquescent needles. Their solution in water 

 precipitated metals like potassium sulphide, and the sulphides 

 of arsenic and antimony were soluble in excess of the solution. 

 Sulphur also dissolved easily, with a yellow colour, forming 

 most probably a persulphide. When a concentrated solution 

 of the sulphide was warmed with ethyl iodide, double decom- 

 position occurred, sulphide of ethyl being produced and iodide 

 of the phosphonium. 



When the aqueous solution was concentrated in a distilling 

 flask, as soon as all the water had distilled, the sulphide for a 

 moment at 150°-160° C. turned a beautiful deep indigo-blue 

 colour. This disappeared, on further heating ; at 220° C. gas 

 being evolved, together with triethylphosphine and sulphide of 

 triethylphosphine. Charring also occured. 



The hyposulphite of tetrethylphosphonium crystallizes well 

 from a concentrated solution in plates, and when heated the 

 same deep indigo-blue colour was noticed as with the sulphide. 

 The decomposition is complex, as much charring occurs : sul- 

 phide and oxide of triethylphosphine are among the products 

 of the distillation. 



The sulphocyanate of tetrethylphosphonium crystallizes in 

 highly deliquescent needles, and when heated does not decom- 



