of Edinburgh, Session 188Q-81 
43 
which is easily obtained in light orange-coloured plates on mixing 
aqueous solutions of the ethyl-chlorate and chloride of platinum. 
It is somewhat soluble, and may be recrystallised from boiling 
water. Its composition is represented by the formula. 
(C 8 H 17 P0 2 • C 2 H 6 • Cl) 2 PtCl 4 
Action of Oxide of Silver on Ethyl-chlorate of Triethyl-phosphor us- 
beta.ine. — Hofmann states (loc. cit.) that the following reaction occurs 
when oxide of silver acts on the ethyl chlorate. 
(C. 2 H 5 ) 3 =PZ£r ~ C0< )C2H5 + A 8' oh = 
(C 2 H 5 ) 3 =PZ£o^ : 0 + <W>H + AgCl 
The author finds that this statement is correct, but noticed that 
when the two bodies are mixed (in aqueous solution) a strong 
smell of acetic ether is developed. Ho thinks it probable that a 
second reaction occurs which may be represented thus — 
(1.) (C 2 l-I 5 ) 3 =p_g^ cooc 2 h 5 + Ag0H 
CH,— COOCoH 
(C 2 H 5 ) 3 =P_ 0 g 
2J -" 5 + ArCI 
(2.) (C 2 H 5 ) 3 =P_ 0 
-CII 2 COOC 2 H 5 = (C 2 H[ 5 )^p 0 + H— CH 2 COOC 2 H 5 
Ethyl-bromate and Ethyl-iodate of Triethyl-ph osphorus-betain e 
were obtained by the direct union of bromacetic and iodacetic ether 
with triethyl-phosphine : they resemble the ethyl-chlorate in their 
properties and reactions. 
Action of Heat on the compounds of Triethyl-phosphorus-betaine . — 
In his paper on the action of heat on the compounds of dimethyl- 
thetine* the author showed that the latter experience two kinds 
of decomposition when heated : the haloid salts yield thio-digly- 
collic acid and a compound of trimethyl-sulphine, whilst the oxy 
salts split up into carbonic anhydride and a salt of trimethyl- 
sulphine. 
* Trans. Koy. Soc. Edin. vol. xxviii. 
