374 
DR. A. W. HOFMANN’S RESEARCHES INTO THE 
leave a syrupy or gummy residue like the base itself. The nitrate, however, and the 
hydrochlorate form beautiful crystals, the former hard, permanent needles of a cool- 
ing taste ; the latter, leaves which are extremely deliquescent. The solution of the 
hydrochlorate is not precipitated by bichloride of platinum unless very concentrated. 
The salt once formed however is far less soluble. From a boiling solution in water 
it shoots into most magnificent orange-yellow needles, sometimes half an inch in 
length. 
On ignition, 0’2620 grm. of platinum-salt gave 0*0675 grm. of platinum. 
The values corresponding to the formula 
rc. H, 1 
C,2 Hje N Cl, Pt Cl,=<:' “= j>N Cl, Pt Cl^ 
LCio H„J 
are 
Theory. 
Experiment. 
equiv. of Amylotriethylammonium . . 
equivs. of Chlorine 
equiv. of Platinum 
, . i 72-00 
. . 106-50 
98-68 
45*60 
28*24 
26-16 
25*76 
equiv. of Platinum-salt 
. 377*18 
100*00 
The percentage of the platinum is unusually low when compared with the theore- 
tical value, a fact which 1 suppose is due to the recrystallization of the salt. In 
several cases I have observed that the platinum-salts of these bases undergo a slight 
decomposition under these circumstances, which is not indicated by the appearance 
of the recrystallized salt, but which is invariably pointed out by a diminution of the 
amount of platinum. I am not as yet acquainted with the mode of this change. In 
the present instance I have not repeated the experiment, because the mode of form- 
ation, the analysis of the iodide, and moreover the decomposition of the base, preclude 
all doubts respecting the formula of the compound under examination. 
The remarkable change exhibited by oxide of tetrethylammonium, when submitted 
to the action of heat, necessarily induced me to study the deportment of the amylo- 
triethylated base under similar circumstances. This study appeared to promise some 
farther revelations respecting the molecular constitution of this body, a hope in which 
I was not deceived. I had no doubt in my mind that the process alluded to would 
give rise to the formation of a nitrile-base, but there were two alternatives which 
presented themselves as to the nature of this base. The question arose. Will an equi- 
valent of ethyl or amyl be broken up in this decomposition ? This question had to be 
decided by experiment. 
