566 
Proceedings of the Royal Society 
1st, The sulphide [(CH 3 ) 3 S] 2 S ; 
2d, The hyposulphite (thiosulphate) [(CH 3 ) 3 S] 2 S 2 0 2 , H 2 0; 
3d, The oxalate [(CH 3 ) 3 S] 2 C 2 0 4 , H 2 0. 
1st, The sulphide was prepared by dividing a strong solution of 
trimethyl sulphine hydrate ([(CH 3 ) 3 S]HO) into two equal parts, 
saturating one with sulphuretted hydrogen, and then adding the 
other. The strong aqueous solution thus obtained was placed 
under a hell jar filled with coal-gas over anhydrous phosphoric acid. 
After a certain concentration had been attained, sulphide of methyl 
began to evaporate along with the water. When a solution pre- 
pared in this way was sealed up in a glass tube, a very slight rise of 
temperature caused the liquid to separate into two layers, the upper 
consisting of sulphide of methyl and the lower of aqueous solution — 
[(CH 3 ) 3 S] 2 S = 3(CH 3 ) 2 S. 
This aqueous solution has all the characters of an alkaline sul- 
phide. It dissolves sulphur, forming an orange-coloured polysul- 
phide, it dissolves sulphide of antimony, gives the characteristic 
reaction with nitro-prusside, and, when treated with an acid, gives 
off sulphuretted hydrogen, a salt of trimethyl-sulphine being left in 
solution. When exposed to the air, the sulphide is rapidly oxidised, 
hyposulphite being produced.* 
2d, The hyposulphite is best obtained by oxidation of the poly- 
sulphide, by exposure to the air. 
It crystallises in clear four-sided prisms with one molecule of 
water of crystallisation. Analysis gave the following results : — 
I. 
II. 
III. 
Calculated. 
C, 
. 24*85 
24*64 
• • • 
25*35 
H, 
6*94 
7*06 
• • • 
7*04 
s, 
. 
... 
44*65 
45*07 
The salt 
is very hygroscopic, 
sparingly soluble 
in alcohol. 
gives all the reactions of an alkaline hyposulphite. Over anhydrous 
phosphoric acid it loses 6*37 per cent, of water — the formula re- 
quires 6*33 per cent. 
The anhydrous hyposulphite, when carefully heated to about 135° 
C., gives off sulphide of methyl — 5 545 grammes, heated in this 
way, lost T308 grammes of sulphide of methyl, equal to 23*58 
* See ante , pp. 320, 321. 
