HIEECUEIC, STANNIC, AND PLUMBIC ETHYLS, 
425 
The numbers required by theory and obtained by experiment are— 
Theory. Mean of experiment. 
1 equiv. of Tin 
59 
50-43 
8 equivs. of Carbon . 
48 
41-02 
40-56 
10 equivs. of Hydrogen 
10 
8-55 
8-62 
117 
100-00 
This radical differs therefore from stannic ethyl, in that it contains double its quantity 
of ethyl. Accordingly I propose to call it stannic diethyl. 
It is a perfectly colourless, limpid, and almost inodorous liquid, very stable, and 
having a specific gravity of 1T92. It is very insoluble in water, and but slightly so in 
alcohol. Ether takes it up freely. Cold concentrated acids do not immediately attack 
stannic diethjd ; but when heated, they disengage gases and form salts, which differ in 
constitution according to the prolongation of the action. Hydrochloric acid converts 
the substance into an uncrystallizable chloride, insoluble in water, and possessed of an 
exceedingly pungent and irritating odour. It is only after long digestion that a crystal- 
line body is formed. 
Vv ith iodine and bromine the action is very violent, and produces hissing as when 
one drops hot metal into water. Explosion ensues if the two bodies are mixed in any 
quantity. 
An experiment was conducted under water, the bromine being added to the stannic 
diethyl in such quantity that a sliglit but permanent red tint showed that it was in 
excess. An oily liquid was obtained which possessed the characteristic odour, but which, 
when exposed to the air, shot into a mass of crystals. These were pressed in paper, and 
placed for some hours under the air-pump before they were analysed. 
0 340o gim. of substance gave O'37/O grm. bromide of silver, which nearly accords 
with the number required for bromide of stanethyl, Sn-C^ Br. 
Theory. 
47-07 
Experiment. 
46-51 
Bromine . 
The powerful odour of this substance, however, left some reason for doubt as to its 
exact composition. The salts of stanethyl have been, at different times, stated by 
Irankland and Lowig as odorous and inodorous. Further experiment, therefore, 
appeared desirable before definitively fixing the formula. 
I he remaining portion of the bromide was dissolved in weak alcohol, and aqueous 
potash added. An abundant white precipitate was formed, which, after being well 
washed, was converted by acid into a chloride. By gentle evaporation, fine hard and 
almost modorous crystals were obtained, which differed from the bromide in being easily 
and entirely soluble in water. The irritating odorous substance was by this treatment 
entirely transferred to the alkaline solution. This chloiide was dried over sulphuric 
acid and analysed. 
0 5070 gim. substance gave 0-3G00 grm. carbonic acid and 0-1977 grm. water. This 
