544 PROF. LETTS AND MR R. F. BLAKE ON 



Chloracetic and bromacctic acids also react with it — the first only when heated with 

 the phosphine, the second at ordinary temperatures. 



Chlorocarbonic ether also reacts with it at ordinary temperatures. 



Monobenzyl Phosphine Hydriodate, C 7 H 7 PH 2 HI. — This salt is easily formed, either 

 by subliming the phosphine in dry hydriodic acid gas; by saturating a solution of the 

 phosphine in benzol with dry hydriodic acid gas; or by dissolving the phosphine in 

 warm fuming aqueous hydriodic acid. 



By the first method it is obtained in snow-white scaly crystals like benzoic acid ; by 

 the second, as a seemingly amorphous bulky precipitate ; while by the third it is also 

 obtained in the crystalline state. 



A specimen prepared by the first method was analysed. 



Analysis. 



0-6090 gave 05630 Agl = -3043015 1 = 4997 per cent. 



Obtained. Calculated for C 7 H 7 PH 2 .HI 



Iodine, . . . 4997 50-39 



The hydriodate, when pure and dry, is permanent in dry air ; but a trace of impurity 

 causes it to become brown. It is rapidly decomposed by water, and instantly by caustic 

 potash solution. 



Monobenzyl Phosphine Hydrobromate, C 7 H 7 PH 2 HBr. — Hofmann could not obtain 

 this compound in the crystalline state, but we found that it could be prepared 

 with the greatest ease either by saturating a solution of the phosphine in benzol with 

 gaseous hydrobromic acid, or by dissolving the phosphine in the fuming aqueous 

 acid. It is also produced when bromine acts upon the phosphine in acetic acid solution, 

 and is then precipitated as a colourless crystalline powder. 



Analysis. 



1.0-3639 gave 0-3300 AgBr = 01404 Br = 3858 per cent, 



f 02033 H 2 = 002258 H = 504 

 0448 gave j Q . 6799 CQg =0 . 18542 c =41-38 



II. 0-8163 required 38-7 c.c? AgN0 3 =03096 Br =37*90 per cent. 



Obtained. 





I. 



II. 



U1MCU IUL ^7 ix 7 



Bromine, 



38-58 



37-90 



3902 



Carbon, 



4138 





40-97 



Hydrogen, . 



504 



... 



4-88 



I. Obtained by the action of bromine on the phosphine. 

 II. ,, ,, hydrobromic acid on the phosphine. 



The salt is insoluble in benzol, and only very slightly soluble in warm fuming hydro- 

 bromic acid. Heated in a tube, it sublimes in glittering scales with slight decomposition. 

 It is very deliquescent, and decomposes rapidly in contact with water and instantly with 

 caustic potash. 



Monobenzyl Phosphine Hydrochlorate, C 7 H 7 PH 2 HC1. — We obtained this salt by similar 



