2. Action of Heat on some Salts of Trimethylsulphine

Extract

I.The carbonate of trimethylsulphine is obtained by the action of carbonate of silver on the iodide of trimethylsulphine. The solution of the salt may be evaporated to a syrup in the waterbath. On standing for some weeks over sulphuric acid in vacuo it crystallises out in exceedingly hygroscopic prismatic crystals, containing water of crystallisation, and having a strong alkaline reaction.

Heated in the air to 100° the salt gives off water, sulphide of methyl, and carbonic acid. Heated in a sealed tube to 100° C. for about eight hours it was almost entirely decomposed, gave off a gas consisting entirely of carbonic acid, and yielded two layers of liquid—the upper, sulphide of methyl; the lower, water and methylic alcohol.