E. Nickles on Amorphous Phosphorus. 



245 



The following are the details of the process. A little sulphu- 

 ret of carbon is introduced into the retort in which the trans- 

 formation has been effected. If the material, which usually 

 adheres strongly, does not detach itself, the bottom of the retort 

 is put into warm water. The disaggregation of the material 

 takes place immediately, and is attended with a slight noise. As 

 soon as the phosphorus is detached, the saline solution is added ; 

 the vessel is then closed and shaken, and at the end of ten 

 minutes the separation of the two is accomplished. If the 

 ordinary phosphorus is only one fourth of the whole, it may be 

 removed entirely at a single washing in the manner explained, 

 although it it is more prudent to make a second trial, dccan ting- 

 first the phosphuretted sulphuret of carbon, and adding another 

 quantity of the pure sulphuret : and this is quite necessary if 

 the two kinds of phosphorus are mixed in equal proportions. 

 Three washings of this kind, will remove every trace of the 

 ordinary phosphorus, however large the proportion. 



After separating the two liquids by decantation, it is only 

 necessary to turn upon a piece of linen cloth, the saline solution 

 containing the red phosphorus. The purity of the product is so 

 perfect, that it is useless to boil it with a solution of caustic pot- 

 ash, the common method. The whole is completed in half an 

 hour ; and what is also important, it is attended with no danger, 

 for the operation by being carried on in a close vessel, does not 

 allow of the vaporization of the sulphuret of carbon and a 

 deposition of the inflammable phosphorus. 



Eecent observations have shown that the inhalation of the 

 vapor of sulphuret of carbon is not without injury to the health ; 

 workmen employed in the caoutchouc manufacture have suffered 

 severely through this means. Still this sulphuret is the best 

 known solvent of phosphorus. The process proposed has a 

 double advantage from this point of view, it diminishing the 

 quantity of sulphuret of carbon used and the chances of its 

 inhalation. 



Chemists will see the value of the mode of separating solid 

 substances of different specific gravities, mentioned above — a 

 method not requiring heat nor a direct solvent, and being both 

 easy and expeditious. 



