DE. A. W. HOFMAXX OX THE PHOSPHOEUS-BASES. 
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constitution of which, though complicated, is traceable in advance by the experience 
acquired in the simpler forms of reaction. 
PHOSPHAESOXIEAI-COMPOrXHS. 
There was no necessity for entering into a detailed examination of this class of com- 
pounds. I have in fact been satisfied to establish, by a few characteristic numbers, the 
existence of the phospharsonium-group. 
Action of Teiethylaesine on the Beomide of Beomethtl-teiethtlphosphonium. 
On digesting the two substances in sealed tubes, the usual phenomena are obsen'ed. 
The saline mass which is formed yields, by treatment with oxide of silver in the cold, a 
powerfully alkaline solution containing the dihydi-ate of ethylene-hexethylphospharso- 
nium. 
C 
14 ^36 P ^2 
H, J 
It is thus obvious that the arsenic-base imitates the triethylphosphine in its deportment 
with the bromethylated bromide. The two substances simply combine to form the 
dibromide of the phospharsonium. 
The alkaline solution of the hydrate of the phospharsonium exhibits the leading 
characters of this class of bases ; I may therefore refer to the detailed account which I 
have given of the hydrate of the diphosphonium. The saline compounds likewise resemble 
those of the diphosphonium. The dichloride and the di-iodide were obtained in beautiful 
crystalline needles, exhibiting a marked tendency to form well-crystallized double salts. 
I have prepared the compounds of the dichloride with chloride of tin, bromide of zinc, 
trichloride of gold, and lastly, with dichloride of platinum. The latter compound was 
analysed in order to fix the composition of the series. 
Plcctinum-salt . — The product of the reaction of triethylarsine upon the bromethylated 
bromide is treated with oxide of silver in the cold, and the alkaline solution thus obtained 
is saturated with hydrochloric acid, and precipitated with dichloride of platinum. An 
exceedingly pale yellowish, apparently amorphous precipitate of marked diphosphonic 
appearance is thrown down, almost insoluble in water, but dissolving in boiling concen- 
trated hydrochloric acid. The hydrochloric solution deposits, on cooling, beautiful orange- 
red prisms, resembling the crystals of the corresponding diphosphonium-j)latinum-salt. 
I. 0'4668 grm. of platinum-salt gave 0'3914gTm. of carbonic acid and 0’2003grm. of 
water. 
II. 0‘4585grm. of platinum-salt, fused wdth carbonate of sodium, gave 0 '5 460 grm. of 
chloride of silver. The platinum separated in this experiment was contaminated Yith 
arsenic. 
The formula 
V,(C2H5),P 
Ci4ll34PAsPt,Clo = 
(C, 115)3 As J 
Cl,„ 2 Pt Cl, 
