436 
DR. E. FRANKLAND ON A NEW SERIES OF 
By the action of zinc upon iodide of methyl, therefore, two distinct decompositions 
take place, viz. 1 st, the decomposition of iodide of methyl by zinc with the produc- 
tion of iodide of zinc and methyl, 
^ 2 ^ 3 ^! 1^2 ^^3 
Zn J IZnI, 
and 2 nd, the decomposition of iodide of methyl by zinc, with the formation of iodide of 
zinc and zincmethylium, 
C 2 H 3 II rC 2 H 3 Zn 
2 Zn j 1 Zn I. 
, Zincethylium. 
This body is formed under precisely the same circumstances as zincmethylium, 
iodide of ethyl being substituted for iodide of methyl ; it is a colourless and trans- 
parent liquid, refracting light strongly, and having a peculiar penetrating odour ; it 
is less volatile than zincmethylium, and is not so readily prepared pure, owing to its 
retention of a small quantity of ethyl gas in solution ; its affinities are also somewhat 
weaker than zincmethylium, and it only takes fire in air spontaneously when exposed 
in considerable quantity. When allowed to absorb oxygen slowly, it forms a white 
amorphous oxide ; it combines also directly with iodine, chlorine and bromine. In 
contact with water it is instantaneously decomposed into oxide of zinc and hydride 
of methyl, 
C4H5Znl rC4 H3,H 
HO J 1 ZnO. 
Its formula must therefore be 
C 4 Hg Zn. 
I reserve for a future communication the complete history of this and the following 
compound. 
Zincamylium. 
This body is generated when iodide of amyl is decomposed by zinc at the tempe- 
rature of 180° C. It is a colourless and transparent liquid which emits white fumes in 
contact with the air, but does not spontaneously inflame ; it is decomposed in con- 
tact with water into oxide of zinc and hydride of amyl, 
^10 Hji Znl _ fCjo H 41 H 
HO J“l ZnO. 
From this circumstance, and its analogy with zincmethylium, there can be no doubt 
that its formula is 
^10 ^11 
Action of Mercury upon Iodide of Methyl in presence of Light. 
When iodide of methyl is exposed to sunlight in contact with metallic mercury, it 
