580 
EESEAECHES OE DE. HOEMA>’X AXD M. CAHOrES 
phosphorus-compounds generally, arises from other products, which make their appear- 
ance in considerable quantities, especially in preparing the phosphorus-base by means 
of phosphide of sodium and iodide of ethyl. In a diluted state, the odour of the pure 
triethylphosphine has the greatest similarity to that of the hyacinth*. Long-continued 
working with this substance causes headache and sleeplessness. 
The boiling-point of the triethylphosphine is 127°'5 C., under the barometric pressure 
of 0-744 m. The determination was made with an ounce of the pure substance. The 
distillation of the phosphorus-base must be performed in a stream of dry hydrogen, for 
it attracts oxygen with great energy, especially at high temperatures. It is impossible 
to pour the liquid from one vessel into another -without its becoming perceptibly wai’m. 
The product of oxidation formed in this way becomes evident in the last stage of the 
distillation. When the larger quantity of the base has distilled over, the mercm-y in 
the thermometer begins suddenly to rise, and before the temperature has become again 
stationary, the neck of the retort is found to be coated vith a network of beautiful 
crystals, which are even drawn over into the receiver. These crystals are permanent as 
long as they are protected from the action of the moist air. After disconnecting the 
apparatus, it is vain to attempt to collect the crystals, the most minute quantity of water 
causing them to liquefy to a heavy oil, soluble in water. From these remai-ks, it is 
obvious that triethylphosphine must be almost always contaminated with a small quan- 
tity of this substance ; in fact a bottle contaming the base cannot be opened without 
its being formed. When the phosphorus-base is brought in contact with oxygen, 
vapours are immediately formed ; the liquid frequently becomes so hot that it inflames, 
and the body is burnt with evolution of dense white fumes of phosphoric acid. If a 
strip of paper, moistened with triethylphosphine, be introduced into a test-tube contain- 
ing oxygen and immersed into hot water, the vapour of the phosphorus-base produces 
with the oxygen an explosive mixture, which detonates after a few moments uith con- 
siderable violence. When poured into a flask tilled with chlorine gas, every drop is 
inflamed with disengagement of pentachloride of phosphorus and hydi-ochloric acid, and 
separation of carbon. Triethylphosphine unites with bromine and iodine, evoking con- 
siderable heat, which may give rise to inflammation ; but if the action be moderated, 
crystalline compounds are produced. In cyanogen gas the phosphorus-base is converted 
into a brown resinous mass. If a piece of sulphur be throAvn into a test-tube containing 
* There is nothing new in the fact that the odour of a substance may be considerably changed by dilution. 
Several years ago, when occupied in the preparation of different ethers, which ha^'e found umuerous apphca- 
tious in perfumery, I had frequent opportunities of observing how the desii-ed aroma, which was absent in 
the pure substance, was brought out by dilution with alcohol. The hyacinth smell of the dilute phosphorus- 
base is so characteristic, that one morning I found in my laboratory a large basket filled with hyacinths, 
the present of a lady friend of mine, who, interested in my labours, had a strong impression that triethyl- 
phosphiue must be present in the hyacinth. In the interest of science, the entii-e floral adornment of the 
garden had been unmercifully sacrificed ! It would have been ungrateful not to distil them, but I regret to 
say, that the anticipation of the amiable donor, who wished to enrich me with so interesting a discovery, 
proved unfounded. The hyacinth does not contain any phosphorus-base. — A. W. H. 
