320 PROFESSOR LETTS ON PHOSPHORUS-BETAINES, 
noticed on mixing the two substances a very powerful smell of acetic ether, 
which led him to suspect that part at least of the ethyl-chlorate had decom- 
posed according to the equation, 
CH,—COOC,H, 
(CH =P + AgOH = AgCl + (C,H,),PO + CH,—COdAg. 
The action of potash on the ethyl-chlorate has confirmed him in this 
suspicion. On shaking some of the ethyl-chlorate with strong caustic potash 
solution an oily layer separated, and at once a very powerful odour of acetate 
of ethyl was developed. 
It was not considered necessary to proceed further with the experiment, as 
the odour of acetic ether is unmistakable, and the production of the oily layer, 
experience had shown, always indicated the phosphine oxide. There cannot 
be the slightest doubt that caustic potash acts on the ethyl-chlorate, converting 
it entirely into triethyl-phosphine oxide, chloride of potassium, and acetic ether. 
CH, —COOC,H, 
(CH EPC + KOH = KCl + (C,H,),=P=0 + CH,—COOC,H,. 
Nor can any surprise be felt at this reaction, considering the powerful 
affinity of triethyl-phosphine for oxygen. It is indeed remarkable that such a 
body as the hydrate of the phosphorus betaine is capable of existence at all, 
and still more so that it does not split up into acetic acid and the phosphine 
oxide when heated— 
OHCs — (0,H,),PO + CH,—COOEH. 
The author also tried the action of oxidising and reducing agents on the 
hydrochlorate of triethyl-phosphorus-betaine, but without very interesting 
results. Nitric acid acted readily on the hydrochlorate when the two were 
warmed together, abundance of red fumes escaping. When all action was over 
the nitric acid was distilled off, and a colourless liquid residue remained, which 
suddenly effervesced at 220° C., red fumes escaping. The heating was stopped 
and the residue was dissolved in water, and heated with chloride of platinum, 
when an abundant light orange-coloured precipitate resulted. Analysis 
showed this to consist of chloroplatinate of triethyl-methyl-phosphonium. Part 
then of the hydrochlorate had escaped oxidation, and had simply lost carbonic 
acid. 
In the nitric acid which had distilled off a small quantity of oxide of 
triethyl-phosphine was detected. The author could find no other definite 
products of oxidation, except a minute quantity of an acid substance which 
gave a white precipitate with sulphate of copper. 
