Paper, 'On some new ethyl-compounds containing the alkali-metals' by J A [James Alfred] Wanklyn

Description

Wanklyn writes that 'the very remarkable composition and properties of that class of substances comprehending kakodyl and zinc-ethyl, have justly attached no ordinary degree of interest to the so-called organo-metallic compounds. Influenced by that interest, I was led to inquire whether the series might not include members into whose composition the alkali-metals entered. It was a question whether combination between so powerfully electro-positive a body as potassium or sodium on the one hand, and a hydrocarbon radical on the other, did not involve impossible conditions.' He shares details of a series of experiments.

Marked on front as 'Archives' and 'Proceedings'. Annotations in pencil throughout. Includes two figures in the text illustrating experiments.

Subject: Organic chemistry

Received 10 June 1858. Communicated by Edward Frankland.

Written by Wanklyn in the Laboratory of Professor Bunsen, Heidelberg [Germany].

A version of this paper was published in volume 9 of the Proceedings of the Royal Society as 'On some new ethyl-compounds containing the alkalimetals'.

Reference number

AP/41/10

Earliest possible date

June 1858

Physical description

Ink and graphite pencil on paper

Page extent

23 pages

Format

Drawing
Manuscript