270 DR. E. FRANKLAND’S RESEARCHES ON ORGANO-METALLIC BODIES, 
hydrogen or ether by water, and therefore confirms the conclusion drawn from its 
quantitative reactions, that it contains ethylate of zinc, which is no doubt decom- 
posed by water in a manner quite analogous to the decomposition of the ethylates of 
potash and soda, 
ZnO C4 u, 01 rc^ U, OHO 
2H0 1 IZnOHO. 
When we consider the mode in which the oxidation of the zincethyl was effected, 
and the ease with which ether passes into acetic acid in the presence of free oxygen, 
there can scarcely be a doubt that the product of that oxidation consisted of a mix- 
ture of ethylate of zinc, acetate of zinc, and hydrate of zinc, 
C4 Hj O ZnO 
C4 H3 O3 ZnO 
HO ZnO, 
and that the following equations explain their formation, as well as that of hydride of 
ethyl, which was observed to escape during the latter stages of the oxidation : — 
C4 H5 Zn-1-02=C4 H5 O ZnO 
C4 H3 Zn-f C4 H3 0+04=Zn0 C4 H3 03-f C4 H^ H-f HO 
C4 H3 ZnO-f2HO=ZnO HO-I-C4 H^ OHO. 
1 conceive that the primary action of the oxygen is expressed by the first equation, 
and that this action alone goes on, so long as the vapours of zincethyl continue to 
diffuse themselves into the atmosphere of the flask in which the reaction takes place, 
and instantaneously absorb the oxygen as fast as it is admitted ; but that so soon as 
that stage of the process is arrived at, where the zincethyl no longer forms vapour, 
which occurs when the white fumes cease, then the reaction expressed in the second 
equation commences, for it was proved, that from this time, free oxygen and ethyl 
vapour coexisted in the flask ; but as it is difficult to conceive, that hydrated 
oxide of zinc can exist in the presence of zincethyl, it is probable that the reaction 
expressed by the third equation only occurs after the whole of the zincethyl has been 
oxidized. 
Analyses Nos. I., II,, III, and IV. indicate that the product of the oxidation of zinc- 
ethyl has the following per-centage composition : — 
Ethylate of zinc . . . 68‘28 
Acetate of zinc .... IG'fO 
Hydrate of zinc . . . 15‘02 
100-00 
The results of the separate analyses Nos. I., II,, III. and IV. agree very nearly with 
