PROFESSOR LETTS ON PHOSPHORUS-BETAINES. 295 
replaced by phosphorus. At the same time, Professor Hormann also examined 
the action of triethyl-amine on chloracetic acid, and found, as was to be expected, 
that a corresponding nitrogen body, the triethylated glycocoll, was produced, 
C,H, (C,H;)3NO, es 
“This last compound received an increased interest when the homologous 
compound in the methyl series, the trimethylated glycocoll, was met with under 
very remarkable conditions. 
“‘ LIEBREICH showed that the chloride of neurine (a body formed as a decom- 
position product of protagon), and which so far as its composition is concerned 
may be regarded as oxethyl-trimethyl-ammonium chloride, 
(CH,),(C,H,O)NCI. 
is converted by the action of oxidising agents by replacement in the ordinary 
manner of two atoms of hydrogen by one atom of oxyen into the chloride, 
(CH,),(C,H,0,)NCI, 
which, exactly like the homologous ethylated body, by dechlorination loses 
hydrochloric acid, and is converted into the body, 
(CH3)3(C.H;0,)N fil C,H,(CH;),NO, . 
that is to say, passes into trimethylated glycocoll. 
“ LIEBREICH obtained the same body, which from its mode of production 
from neurine, may be called oxy-neurine, by a reaction analogous to that which 
Hormann has given, by acting on trichloracetic acid with trimethyl-amine. 
Some time previously ScHEIBLER, during his researches on the chemical com 
position of the sugar beet, obtained from its juice a splendid crystallised base, 
for which he proposed the name Betaine (from Seta vulgaris). Later 
researches carried out by SCHEIBLER showed that betaine is actually identical 
with the very base obtained from neurine, 2.¢., with oxy-neurine or trimethylated 
glycocoll. 
“Tt remained to perfect this group of bodies by the study of the methylated 
phosphorus base. The preparation of the trimethyl-phosphine required for this 
reaction was attended with difficulties, so long as it had to be obtained by the 
former troublesome methods. 
“The reaction discovered by Hormann and Canours between trichloride of 
phosphorus and zinc-methyl leaves, it is true, nothing to be desired in sharp- 
ness, but unfortunately all the methods hitherto given for the preparation of zinc 
methyl are in the highest degree uncertain, and give under the most favourable 
circumstances only a very limited yield. On the other hand, the new process 
