A Manual of the Chemistry of the Carbon Compounds

THE CABBON COMPOUNDS. 125
drop to a solution of zinc-ethyl in ether, contained in a flask filled
with carbon dioxide; a violent reaction sets in, zinc chloride and
triethylphosphine being formed, which are separated by adding solid
caustic potash and water, by which sufficient heat is evolved to volatilize
the base.
It is a colourless, refractive liquid, lighter than water, and boiling
at 127'5°. Its odour in the concentrated state is most powerful and
unpleasant, but when diluted it becomes fragrant, and resembles very
much that of hyacinths. When it comes in contact with the air
it absorbs oxygen and is converted into tmthylplwsphiiie oxide
PO(O2H^S, white needle-shaped crystals, boiling at 240°. When this
oxidation goes on very rapidly, so much heat is evolved that the
liquid takes fire. Triethylphosphine is only a weak base, and forms
salts which do not crystallize well; the hydrochloride combines with
platinum chloride forming [PlCjjHJgHCl^ + PtCl