ON THE PHOSPHOEUS- BASES. 
595 
Action of Heat upon the Hydeated Oxide op Teteamethylphosphonium. 
Binoxide of TrimethylpliospMne. 
Precisely similar phenomena as in the ethyl-series : formation of binoxide of trimethyl- 
phospine and hydride of methyl (marsh-gas). 
Me 4 PO, HO = Meg PO 2 -j- MeH 
V ; 
Hydrated oxide of 
tetramethylphosphonium. 
TV 
Bmoxide of tri- 
Hydride of methyl 
(marsh-gas). 
methylphosphine. 
The direct formation of the binoxide by the action of oxygen upon trimethylphos- 
phine has been abeady mentioned. 
Bisulphide and Biselenide of Trimethylphosphine. 
These bodies hkewise resemble the corresponding members of the ethyl-series ; they 
are, however, more soluble and more volatile. The sulphur-compound crystallizes from 
a highly concentrated aqueous solution in masses of well-formed four-sided prisms, 
which fuse at 105° C. 
The selenium-compound crystallizes exactly like the ethyl-body; its fusing-point is 
84° C. In contact with the ab this compound blackens with separation of selenium. 
In this decomposition the characteristic odour of mesitilene is very perceptibly evolved. 
Even without an analysis we may assign to these compounds the formulae 
CfiHgPSa =Me3PS2and 
Cg Hg PSe2=Me3 PSoa. 
In conclusion, the action of the iodides of ethyl and amyl upon trimethylphosphine 
may be briefly mentioned. 
Iodide of Trimethylethylphosphonium. 
This substance is rapidly formed by the action of iodide of ethyl upon the ethereal 
solution of the methyl-base. The compound, which crystallizes perfectly well from boil- 
ing alcohol, contains 
C,oH,PI=(Me3E)PI. 
0-4435 grm. of substance gave 0-4403 grm. of iodide of silver. 
Experiment. 
Theory. 
^ 
I equiv. of Trimethylethylphosphonium 105 
I equiv. of Iodine 127 
I equiv. of the Iodide 232 
45-M 
54-76 
100-00 
53-67 
Chloride of Trimethylethylphosphonium and Bichloride of Blatinum. 
By treating the iodide with oxide of silver, the caustic oxide is obtained, which 
gives, with hydrochloric acid and bichloride of platinum, a yellow platinum-salt, inso- 
