II. Remarks on organo-metallic bodies; 4th memoir

In a former Memoir the author described the production of a new series of organic compounds containing the metal tin in combination with the radicals methyl, ethyl, and amyl. His attention was at that time especially directed to the compound formed by the union of tin with ethyl, and to which the name stanethyl was given. The iodide of stanethyl was prepared by exposing iodide of ethyl to light or heat in the presence of tinfoil; and, by acting with zinc upon the aqueous solution of this iodide of stanethyl or of the chloride of the same body, stanethyl itself (C4 H5 Sn) was obtained. In accordance with a theory of the constitution of all organo-metallic bodies which the author then suggested, the above compounds were respectively represented as the analogues of the protiodide and biniodide of tin, thus— It is evident that the application of this theory to the above bodies would receive considerable additional support if the second equivalent of iodine in the stannic iodide could be replaced by ethyl, or some other analogous organic group. In the Memoir already alluded to, it was mentioned, that in studying the behaviour of stanethyl under the influence of heat, evidence was obtained of the existence of this very compound, —stannic ethide, orbinethide of tin , as it was then named. This body obviously bears the same relation to stannic iodide as stanethyl bears to stannous iodide.