366 
DR. A. W. HOFMANN’S RESEARCHES INTO THE 
addition several equivalents of water of crystallization ; they niay possibly be analo- 
gous to the well-known crystallized hydrate of potassa KO, HO-1-4 Aq, which is 
formed at low temperatures. 
It was above stated that the residuary substance left on evaporating a solution of 
the oxide of tetrethylammonium is decomposed, even at the temperature of boiling 
water. During this change a powerful ammoniacal odour is evolved, the substance 
strongly intumesces, and is by degrees perfectly volatilized. If this process be con- 
ducted in an appropriate apparatus, it is found that the base, under these circum- 
stances, yields three products of decomposition, namely, water, an highly alkaline 
oil, rather soluble in water, and a colourless inflammable gas. The oily base has all 
the properties of triethylamine ; it was identified moreover by the analysis of its 
characteristic platinum-salt. 
0-2257 grm. of platinurn-salt gave on ignition 0*0725 grm. of platinum. 
Theoretical percentage. Experimental percentage. 
Platinum 32-12 32*12 
The inflammable gas evolved was pure olefiant gas ; it was perfectly absorbed by 
bromine water, proving the absence of hydrocarbons not belonging to the family 
Cn H„, and the oily liquid formed had all the properties of the Dutch liquid. It 
readily solidified into a crystalline mass when exposed to a freezing mixture, a de- 
portment whereby the olefiant gas compound may be easily distinguished from the 
corresponding compounds of propylene, butylene and amylene. 
Hence the metamorphosis of oxide of tetrethylammonium under the influence of 
heat is represented by the following equation : — 
C4 H5 
C4H5 
C4 H5, 
C4 H5J 
!>N0, HO = 2HO+i 
C4 IT 
C4 H5 
-C, H 
N+C4H4. 
This change is not only interesting as an additional corroboration of the formula 
of the base, but likewise as affording a new source from which triethylamine may be 
obtained in a state of perfect purity ; for as I shall show presently, the oxide may be 
also prepared from very impure mixtures of the lower ethyl-bases, and even from 
ammonia directly. 
This, too, deserves to be noticed, as a new instance of the failure of the analogy 
between iodide and oxide of ethyl (ether) — a fact which was pointed out long ago by 
MM. Laurent and Gerhardt, and most indubitably demonstrated by the recent 
investigations of Dr. Williamson. If the decomposition by heat of oxide of tetre- 
thylammonium was perfectly analogous to that of the iodide, we should expect to 
see the former split into triethylamine and oxide of ethyl (ether). 
C4H,] 
C4 H/ 
C4 
C4 n, 
>NI = 
rC4 
C4H IN-1-C4H5 1. 
IC4 hJ 
