RESEARCHES  OF  HYPO-PHOSPHITE  OF  LIME.  163 
freed  from  alcohol  by  distillation  in  a  retort,  the  residual  solu- 
tion evaporated  to  perfect  dryness,  and  the  white  powder  thus 
obtained  preserved  in  well-stoppered  glass  bottles. 
The  hypophosphite  may  be  crystallized  in  the  retort  by  a  slow 
evaporation. 
The  action  of  the  alcohol  is  thus  explained  :  the  phosphorus 
acting  on  the  hydrate  of  lime  by  heat  gives  hypophosphite  of 
lime  and  phosphuretted  hydrogen. 
4P  +  3CaO  +  3HO  =  3  (PO,  Ca  0)  +  PH3. 
Two  intermediate  compounds  are  also  formed  :  biphosphuretted 
hydrogen  and  triphosphuretted  bi-hydride. 
8P+3  Ca  0  +  3  HO  =  3  (PO,  Ca  0)  +  P2  H  +  P3  H2. 
The  alcohol  decomposes  these  two  compounds,  forming  phos- 
phide of  ethyl.* 
This  again  is  decomposed  by  the  base  into  hypophosphite  and 
alcohol,  a  part,  however,  remaining  mixed  with  the  alcohol  re- 
covered by  distillation ;  this  may  serve  for  a  subsequent  prepa- 
ration. 
The  action  terminates  by  a  feeble  evolution  of  hydrogen,  from 
the  decomposition  of  the  phosphuretted  hydrogen  ;  one  part  be- 
coming combined  during  the  operation  with  the  oxygen  of  the 
air,  forming  water. 
PH3-f  2  P2  H  +  2  P3  H2+  9  C4  H6  02  =  9  C4  H5  P  +  2  P+ 18  HO. 
4P  +  3CaO  +  3  H0=3  (PO,  Ca  0)  +  P  H3 
PH3+C4H602  =  2  H0  +  C4H5P  +  2  H.  1 
PH3+C4H602+  2  0^  4  HO  +  C4H5P. 
2.  Properties. 
Hypophosphite  of  lime  is  a  white  powder,  inodorous,  but  of 
an  acrid  and  burning  taste.    Deliquescent  and  very  soluble  in 
*  The  phosphide  of  ethyl  -when  separated  from  the  alcohol,  is  a  limpid 
fluid  of  a  phosphuretted  odor  and  burning  taste.  It  is  very  volatile,  burn- 
ing at  90°  Cent.  It  is  soluble  in  alcohol ;  the  solution  has  an  opaline  ap- 
pearance. In  water  it  separates  in  drops  like  chloroform,  which  it  also 
resembles  in  its  anaesthetic  properties.  It  burns  with  an  emerald  green 
flame,  exhaling  an  intensely  disagreeable  odor.  A  little  powdered  tin,  bis. 
muth,  or  antimony,  placed  in  the  flame,  causes  the  color  to  pass  to  pale 
violet,  and  finally  to  pure  white.  The  great  danger  which  attends  the  pre- 
paration and  manipulation  of  this  substance,  has  not  yet  permitted  the  au- 
thor to  study  all  its  properties. 
