BROMIDE of ethyl may be made to yield mercury-ethyl by the action of dilute sodium-amalgam in the presence of acetic ether, just as the iodide yields it. The reaction takes place equally well with both substances. The compound was recognised by the action of iodine upon it, anti also by converting it into zinc-ethyl by digestion with metallic zinc. This is, I believe, the first instance of an organometallic compound of an alcohol-radical, being produced from any other source than the iodide. I

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... ailed in obtaining zinc-ethyl by the actioii of metallic zinc on bromide of ethyl. Nevertheless, bromide of zinc is formed and ga3 svolved. The presence of mercury greatly-facilitates the reaction. I may also mention that sodium decomposes alcoholic solutions, both of mercury-ethyl and mercury-methyl, liberating mercury. The sodium first floats on the solution, but rapidly becomes amalgamated and sinks to the bottom, evolving much gas during the process, and finally leaving a globule of mercury. These experiments were made in the Laboratory of the London Institution. * Mean of two experimcnts--'l04 and *112.