PROFESSOR LETTS ON PHOSPHORUS-BETAINES. 319 
to the hydrochorate, an attempt was made to extract any substances which 
might have been formed and which were soluble in ether (to which some 
alcohol had been added). The oily layer from which the oxide of phosphine 
was obtained was highly charged with ether, alcohol, and a solid salt, which 
remained in the retort after all the oxide of phosphine had volatilised. This 
was dissolved in water, then just accidulated with nitric acid, nitrate of silver 
added, and the boiling solution filtered from the precipitated chloride of 
silver. The filtered solution was just neutralised with carbonate of ammonia 
and then allowed to cool, when a considerable quantity of crystals separated 
having the appearance of acetate of silver, and which a determination of silver 
showed were really that body. 
0:2444 gave 01565 Ag =64:0 per cent. Ag. 
Calculated for C,H,0,Ag=646 
Thus caustic potash acts on the hydrochlorate to give oxide of triethyl 
phosphine, together with chloride and acetate of potassium. The reaction is 
expressed by the equation, 
CH,—COOH 
(CoH).PC + 2KHO = (C,H,),PO + KCl + CH,—COOK + H,0. 
Action of Caustic Potash on the Hydrate.—A quantity of the base which had 
been dried 7 vacuo was shaken with a strong solution of potash. It dissolved 
after a short time, the solution grew warm, and an oily liquid rose to the 
surface. This was separated, and consisted of a strong aqueous solution of 
oxide of triethyl-phosphine.* 
The remaining solution from which the oily layer had been separated was 
neutralised with nitric acid, the mixture heated, and nitrate of silver added. 
On cooling, the characteristic crystals of acetate of silver separated. Their 
composition was verified by a determination of the silver which they contained.+{ 
0:3157 gave 0:2017 Ag = 63°9 per cent. Ag. 
Calculated for CH,—COOAg= 646 “ 
Potash behaves then with the hydrate in exactly the same manner as with 
the hydrochlorate, the reaction occurring as follows :— 
CH,—COOH 
(C,H) =PC +KHO = (C,H,),=PO + CH,—COOK + H,0. 
OH 
Action of Potash on the Ethyi-Chlorate.—The author has mentioned (p. 309) 
that, whilst investigating the action of oxide of silver on the ethyl-chlorate, he 
* Oxide of triethyl-phosphine appears to be completely insoluble in strong caustic potash solution, 
+ The crystals became discoloured by phosphuretted hydrogen accidentally present in the air of the 
room in which they were dried. The deficiency in silver is probably due to this. 
