412 
DE. A. W. HOrMAXS’ OX THE PHOSPHOErS-BASES. 
This iodide likewise unites with iodide of zinc ; and as this latter salt is always pre- 
sent in the mother-liquor in considerable quantity, the double salt is generally obtained 
together with the simple iodide. 
The mode of formation of these compounds is represented by the following equa- 
tions : — 
8 C, Hg I + P 2 + 3 Zn^ = 2 ([(C^ U,), H P] I, Zn I) + 4 Zn I 2 H,. 
8 C 2 H 5 1 + Pj + 3 Zn^ = 2 ([(Cj P] I, Zn I) + 4Zn I. 
The compound containing oxide of triethylphosphine is evidently formed at the expense 
of the air in the tube : — 
2[(C,H5)3P]+0,+2ZnI = 2[(C,H3)3PO, Znl], 
The above zinc-iodide-compounds of triethyl- and tetrethyl-phosphonium possess in- 
terest only in so far as they may serve for the preparation of the phosphorus-base. The 
mixture evaporated to dryness and distilled with hydrate of potassium in an atmosphere of 
hydrogen, does indeed yield appreciable quantities of triethylphosphine: the action of 
iodide of ethyl upon a mixture of zinc and phosphorus may therefore be recommended 
when it is desired to prepare a sample of this remarkable compound without specially 
arranged apparatus ; but it is not adapted for the preparation of the phosphorus-base on 
the large scale. 
I have endeavoured to prepare by this process tnamyIj)hosphine and triaUyJjihosphine. 
but the results were not such as to encourage me to continue the experiments. 
Cahoues has recently made similar experiments, but with a difference in the mode of 
conducting them, which cannot fail to influence the result. Instead of subjecting iodide 
of ethyl to the action of a mechanical mixture of zinc and phosphorus, he has caused 
the compound Zn^ P to act upon iodide of ethyl at a high temperatime. Tlie reaction 
will doubtless proceed more regularly under these conditions ; but the advantage which 
may perhaps be gained by avoiding the preparation of the zinc-ethyl is compromised, at 
least in part, by the time and trouble expended in the somewhat complicated prepara- 
tion of trizincophosphide. 
Oxide of Triethylphosphine. 
The formation of the compound of this oxide with iodide of zinc to which I have 
alluded, induced me to subject to a careful examination the beautifully crystallized body 
produced from the phosphorus-base by exposure to the air. In om- former experiments, 
C/AHOUES and myself had often observed this substance, but we did not succeed in 
obtaining it in a state of purity fit for analysis. Nevertheless, founding our conclusion 
on the composition of the corresponding sulphur-compound, and having regard to the 
analogies presented by the bodies of the arsenic- and antimony-series, we regarded this 
body as the oxide of the phosphorus-base 
I have since confirmed this formula by analysis. 
