1887.] Prof. Letts and W. Wheeler on Benzyl Phosphines. 83 
(3) Chloride of platinum gave no sparingly soluble or crystalline 
compound. 
(4) Bromine vapour liquefied it, and an additional quantity of 
bromine gave an oil which partly solidified. 
(5) Aqueous solution of mercuric chloride gave an immediate 
flocculent white precipitate. 
(6) Iodide of zinc gave an uncrystallisable oil. 
(7) Iodide of cadmium gave with a dilute solution a white 
crystalline body soluble in boiling water, which crystallised as the 
solution cooled in minute square plates. 
On analysing this compound, the following numbers were ob- 
tained : — 
Iodine, . . . . 31-5 % 
Cadmium, . . . 12*3 % 
If it be assumed that the percentage of iodine was correctly 
determined, the calculated percentage of cadmium amounts to 13 '9, 
and the percentage of iodide of cadmium to 45*4. 
On the assumption that the compound contains a single molecule 
of the latter, and two molecules of the phosphorised body, the 
molecular weight of the latter amounts to 220° C. 
As the quantity of phosphorised body at our disposal was 
exceedingly small, we were not able to make any determinations of 
phosphorus. 
Arguing, however, from the percentages of carbon and hydrogen, 
and from the molecular weight deduced as above, we find as the 
most probable formula for the body C^gH^gPO, as the following 
numbers show : — 
Obtained. 
Calculated for 
C13H15PO . 
Molecular weight, . 220 216 
% Carbon, . . . 7L5 71 ’5 
% Hydrogen, . . 6*9 6*9 
Its reactions resemble those of a tertiary phosphine oxide j for 
instance, its ready solubility in water, the fact that it distils almost 
unchanged, that its solution is precipitated by potash, and that it 
unites with iodide of cadmium. 
We hesitate, however, to express any positive opinion with regard 
to its formula or constitution, as we have not suflicient data for a 
complete argument. 
