ON THE PHOSPHOEUS-BASES. 
581 
triethylphosphine, it becomes so hot as to fuse the sulphur, which then floats on the 
hquid base in the form of globules, as sodium does on water, and at last enthely dis- 
appears. The clear liquid thus obtained, solidifles on cooling to a magniflcent crystalline 
mass. The experiment must be made with caution, since the vapour of the phosphorus- 
compound, which rises during the reaction, generally explodes on coming in contact 
with the air contained in the vessel. Selenium gives rise to similar but less powerful 
phenomena. 
Although triethylphosphine, in its relations to other bodies, possesses all the characters 
of a well-deflned base, it does not exhibit an alkaline reaction. When freshly prepared, 
it is without action on vegetable colom’s, but when exposed only for a few moments to 
the influence of the air, it begins to show a constantly increasing acid reaction. Tri- 
ethylphosphine unites with acids slowly, but with considerable evolution of heat ; with 
concentrated acid the temperature frequently rises to such a degree as to give rise to 
inflammation of the liquid. Most of its salts are crystalhne compounds, but are very 
soluble and deliquescent. 
The composition of triethylphosphine was sufliciently established in theory, both by 
its mode of formation and by numerous analogies. Nevertheless we have made an 
experimental determination. 
When freshly prepared and burnt with chromate of lead. O’ 36 9 grm. of triethylphos- 
phine furnished 0’8106 grm. of carbonic acid and 0’4212 grm. of water. 
The formula 
c.,h„p=e[p 
eJ 
leads to the following numbers ; — 
Theory. 
Experiment. 
12 equivs. of Carbon 
. 72 
61-01 
60-00 
15 equivs. of Hydrogen . . . . 
. 15 
12-71 
12-68 
1 equiv. of Phosphorus . . . . 
. 31 
26-28 
1 equiv. of Triethylphosphine 
. 118 
100-00 
The combustion shows a small loss of carbon ; but if it be recollected with what avidity 
this base attracts oxygen, and that the previous manipulations were performed in atmo- 
spheric air, this is easily accounted for. It would have been loss of time to repeat this 
experiment, especially since we shall have to mention in the following pages many 
analytical determinations, which, although referring to other substances, enable us to 
infer with equal certainty the composition of the phosphorus-base. 
Triethylphosphine forms crystalline compounds with the hydrogen-acids of chlorine, 
bromine, and iodine, with sulphuric and nitric acids ; but all these salts, which can be 
obtained in the dry state only by the aid of the exsiccator, are but little suitable 
for analysis. The solution in hydrochloric acid aflbrds a crystalline platinum-salt, 
which is insoluble in cold water, in alcohol and ether, but which, on account of the 
MDCCCLVII. 4 G 
