DR. E. FRANKLAND’S RESEARCHES ON ORGANO-METALLIC BODIES. 273 
This result completely establishes the interpretation given above of the action of 
oxygen upon zincethyl, so far as regards the production of ethylate of zinc ; but as a 
further confirmation, I ascertained the actual amount of iodine which was required 
for the complete decomposition of a certain quantity of zincethyl. The weight of the 
latter could only be ascertained approximatively by determining the weight of the 
iodide of ethyl from which it was derived. Taking this maximum weight as the basis of 
calculation, and assuming that every trace of iodide of ethyl had been converted into 
zincethyl, and the latter brought into contact with the iodine without any loss, then 
each atom of zincethyl took up T8 atom of iodine, a number which evidently con- 
firms the above equation, when we take into account the numerous sources of loss of 
zincethyl incidental to the operations through which it passed. 
Action of Bromine upon Zincethyl. 
The action of bromine upon zincethyl is exceedingly violent, and attended by 
dangerous explosions even when an ethereal solution of bromine is added to a dilute 
ethereal solution of zincethyl cooled to — 15°C.; but the reaction can be conve- 
niently effected by suspending a tube containing bromine in a flask half-filled with a 
solution of zincethyl in ether. The bromine vapour is gradually absorbed by the zinc- 
ethyl solution until the latter is saturated. The products of the reaction are bromide 
of ethyl and bromide of zinc, and are therefore perfectly analogous to those yielded 
by the action of iodine upon zincethyl : 
CJT.Znl rC,H,Br 
BrBr J 1 ZnBr 
Action of Chlorine upon Zincethyl. 
Zincethyl burns spontaneously with a lurid flame in an atmosphere of chlorine 
gas ; the zinc and hydrogen are converted into chlorides, whilst carbon is deposited 
in the form of soot. 1 have not studied the products of a more moderate action, 
as it is difficult to bring the materials together without too great an elevation 
of temperature. There can be no doubt, however, that the moderated action of 
chlorine would be analogous to that of bromine, and that the products would be 
chloride of ethyl and chloride of zinc — 
C,H,Znj^rC,H,Cl 
Cl Cl J IZnCl. 
Action of Sulphur upon Zincethyl. 
Carefully dried flowers of sulphur have only a slight action upon an ethereal solu- 
tion of zincethyl, but the application of a gentle heat suffices to produce a brisk 
reaction ; the sulphur gradually disappears, a white flocculent precipitate is formed, 
and a strong odour of sulphide of ethyl is developed. The chief product of this re- 
