598 
EESEAECHES OF DE. HOFilAXN’^ AXD M. CAHOFES 
satisfied with the study of the reactions of these bodies, we should never suspect, in 
compounds exhibiting such a close similarity of properties, the presence of elements so 
dissimilar as nitrogen, phosphorus, arsenic, and antimony ; they might, moreover, be 
confounded with potassa and soda, by which they are scarcely surpassed in alkaline 
power. Only the deportment of the hydrated oxides, under the influence of heat, 
distinguishes the derivatives of nitrogen from the corresponding terms of the phosphorus-, 
arsenic-, and antimony-series. 
If we regard, on the other hand, the compounds belonging to the ammonia-type, we 
observe that the electro-positive character of the substances gradually rises in intensity 
from the nitrogen- to the antimony-compounds. 
Thus, trimethylamine and triethylamine are not capable of uniting with oxygen, 
chlorme, bromine, and iodine ; a power which the corresponding terms of the phos- 
phorus-, arsenic-, and antimony-series possess in a high degree. 
Triethylamine unites with the acids producing compounds of the formula 
E3 N, HCl 
E3 N, HSO, 
E3N, HNOg. 
The corresponding compounds in the arsenic- and antimony-series do not exist ; at all 
events chemists have not yet succeeded in preparing them. Triethylarsine and triethyl- 
stibine only combine directly with oxygen, chlorine, sulphur, &c., producing sahne 
bodies, which have the composition respectively — 
E3 AsOa . . . . E3 SbOa 
E3ASCI3 .... E3SbCL 
E3ASS3 .... E3SbS3. 
In the phosphorus-series, lastly, the two classes are represented. Triethylphosphine 
not only forms compounds analogous to the salts of triethylamine, but also the terms 
corresponding to the binoxides of triethylarsine and triethylstibine. A'N’e have in the 
first place the terms 
E3 P, HCl 
E3 P, HSO, 
E3P, HNO„ 
and in the second place compounds of the formulae 
E3PO3 
E3PCI.3 
E3 PSj. 
The phosphorus-compounds accordingly hold a position intermediate between the 
nitrogen-compounds on the one hand, and the arsenic- and antimony-series on the other. 
It cannot, however, be denied that the phosphorus-compounds stand closer to the 
arsenic- and antimony-series than to the nitrogen-group. 
