XVI. Researches on the phosphorus-bases.—No. XII. Relations between the monoatomic and the polyatomic bases

In recording my experiments on the derivatives of triethylphosphine, I have had more than one opportunity of alluding to the energy and precision which characterize the reactions of this compound. The usefulness of triethylphosphine as an agent of research has more particularly manifested itself in the study of the polyatomic bases, the examination of which, in continuation of former inquiries, was naturally suggested by the beautiful researches on the polyatomic alcohols published during the last few years. In the commencement these studies were almost exclusively performed with reference to derivatives of ammonia; but the results obtained in the examination of triethylphosphine have, in a great measure, changed the track originally pursued, and of late I have generally preferred to solve the problems which I had proposed to myself, by the aid of the phosphorus-bases. The light which the study of these compounds throws upon the nature of the polyatomic bases generally, will be fully appreciated by a retrospective glance at the deportment of triethylphosphine under the influence of dibromide of ethylene, and a comparison of the products formed in this reaction with the results suggested by theory.