MEECURIC, STANNIC, AND PLUMBIC ETHYLS. 
427 
One of the following expressions, it was thought, might show the synthesis of the 
chloride : — 
Sn(C, H,),-fSn C, H, Cl=Sn, (C, H ,)3 Cl, 
or else 
3Sn(C, H,),+Sn Cl,=2[Sn, (C, H ,)3 Cl]. 
To test the first equation, pure inodorous crystals of chloride of stanethyl were added 
to an excess of stannic diethyl, and kept a short time at the boiling-point. Cold vvater 
was then added, and the whole was again raised to ebullition. The aqueous solution 
was then poured off, and solution of potash added, when an abundant precipitate of 
oxide of stanethyl showed that no double salt had been effected with the chloride of 
stanethyl. The portion insoluble in water proved to be the unchanged radical, and did 
not exhibit the characteristic odour of the oily chloride, which thus could have been 
readily detected. This negative answer to the first equation showed that the substance 
was no simple mixture, but a definite compound. 
A more satisfactory result was obtained when bichloride of tin was made to act on 
stannic diethyl, in the proportion of three parts of the former to four parts of the latter. 
The mixture produced a heat considerably greater than could be borne by the hand, 
a.nd the liquid partook of a clear brown shade. IVhen exposed to the air it ga,ve slight 
fumes of vapour, causing much lachrymation. 
When distilled, ebullition commenced at about 200°; but no fixed boiling-point could 
be observed, the thermometer slowly rising up to 220°, at which temperature the whole 
had volatilized, leaving a mere trace of solid matter in the retort. 
The distillate was divided into two portions. That below 210° C. was of an oily con- 
sistence ; but above that point the portion solidified, on cooling, into a mass of ciystals. 
These were strongly pressed between bibulous paper, and analysed : — 
I. 0-4170 grm. of substance gave 0-3440 grm. carbonic acid and 0-1825 grm, 
water. 
II. 0-5138 grm. of substance gave 0-5035 grm. chloride of silver. 
Tliese numbers lead most nearly to a formula 
Sn^ C32 Clg, 
which at first seems rather improbable, but which becomes perhaps more intelligible if 
grouped as a double salt. 
bSnC.H^Cl, Sn3(C,H3)3Cl 
requires the following theoretical values : — 
7 equivs. of Tin . . . 
413 
Theory. 
A 
48-15 
Experiment. 
32 equivs. of Carbon 
192 
22-37 
24-49 
40 equivs. of Hydrogen . 
40 
4-66 
4-84 
6 equivs. of Chlorine . 
213 
24-82 
100-00 
24-20 
