1887.] Prof. Letts and W. Wheeler on Benzyl Phosphines. 73 
The hot acetic solution deposited on cooling oily droplets, which 
eventually formed a viscous mass, exactly like the original substance. 
The acetic solution decanted from this was evaporated to dryness 
ou the water-bath, until the whole of the acetic acid had volatilised. 
There remained a gummy mass not different in appearance from the 
original body. 
An analysis was made of this portion (^.e., that which remained 
dissolved in the cold acetic solution), and also of the portion which 
the acid had not dissolved. 
The results show that both portions have the same composition — 
but no probable formula could be calculated. 
(A) Portion dissolved hy Acetic Acid. 
0*4355 gave 
{ 
0*828 002 =0*22582 0 = 51*8% 
0*1982 H 2 O = 0*02202 H = 5*12 %. 
(B) Portion not dissolved hy Acetic Acid. 
0*3643 gave 
0*654 002 =0*17836 0 = 51*5% 
0*1592 H02 = 0*1772 H = 5*1%. 
Obtained. 
a' ^ 
Oarbon, 51*8 51*5 
Hydrogen, 5*02 5*1 
Calculated for 
(C7H7)PH2.CS2. (C^H7)PCS. (C7H7PH)2CS 
48*0 57*9 62*1 
3*5 4*2 5*5 
Oxidation of Monohenzyl Phosphine hy Air. — As before mentioned, 
the primary phosphine attracts oxygen with great energy from the 
air. The temperature rises considerably; dense white vapours are 
produced, and these occasionally take fire spontaneously. The sub- 
stance which eventually results is a viscous liquid which refuses to 
crystallise, and could not be obtained in a fit state for analysis. It 
dissolves somewhat sparingly in water, and behaves as an acid, its 
solution reddening litmus paper and neutralising alkalies. 
Its lead salt is easily prepared by adding acetate of lead to its 
aqueous solution, when a white flocculent precipitate is produced. 
This is by no means completely insoluble, so that its bulk dimin- 
ishes considerably on washing. The following results were obtained 
on submitting this compound to analysis : — 
0*1060 gave 0*0925 PbS 04 = 0*06319 Pb = 59*6% 
(C 7 H^)POPb requires . . . . 60*0 %. 
These numbers seem to show that the lead salt is a derivative 
