ON THE PHOSPHOEHS-BASES. 
583 
water, less so in alcohol, and insoluble in ether. The aqueous solution crystallizes on 
addition of potassa-solution, in which this compound, like the iodides of tetramethyl- 
ammonium and tetrethylammonium, is but shghtly soluble. From the alcoholic solu- 
tion the salt falls, on addition of ether, as a crystalline powder. If ether be added to a 
cold alcoholic solution, as long as the precipitate first produced is dissolved by boiling, 
well-formed crystals of the iodide are deposited on cooling. 
The mode of formation and analysis leave no doubt respecting the nature of these 
crystals. They contain the elements of 1 equiv. of triethylphosphine and 1 equiv. of 
iodide of ethyl. 
+ C,H,I = C,eH,,PI. 
Triethyl- 
phosphine. 
— 
lodide of 
ethyl. 
-v" 
New compound. 
The following are the results of analyses : — 
I. 0'743 grin, of the iodide yielded 0'630 grm. of iodide of silver. 
II. 0’648 grm. of the iodide gave 0‘555 grm. of iodide of silver. 
III. 0'4I2 grm. of the iodide gave 0‘3555 grm. of iodide of silver. 
Percentage of iodine : — 
I. II. III. Mean. 
45-82 46-30 46-62 46-25 
The formula 
requires 
QeH,oPI = 
I equiv. of the Phosphorus-body 
I equiv. of Iodine 
I equiv. of the Iodine-compound 
Ed 
E ' 
E 
E 
!>pi 
Theory. 
A 
. 147 53-65 
. 127 46-35 
. 274 100-00 
Experiment. 
46-25 
Notwithstanding the transparency of the constitution of these compounds, we feel 
some embarrassment in fixing their nomenclature. We propose to designate the hypo- 
thetical compound of one equivalent of phosphorus and four equivalents of ethyl by the 
name “ Tetrethylphosphonium.” This term is long, but it leaves no doubt regarding 
the composition of the body, and marks at the same time its analogy with tetrethylam- 
monium. The iodine-compound is accordingly the iodide of tetrethylphosphonium. 
Hydrated Oxide of TetrethyljpJiosphonmm. 
The separation of the iodine from the before-mentioned compound presents no diffi- 
culties. Oxide of silver removes this element even at the common temperature. A 
strongly alkahne solution is obtained which retains a small quantity of silver in solu- 
4 G 2 
