ABSTRACTS
KEEPING UP WITH CHEMISTRY
Styrene. ANON. I d Bull. of Arthur D.Little, Inc.,142, 2 3 (Dec.. 1938).Styrene, another synthetic resin, has been developed by the fast-growing plastics industry. Its electric insulating properties seem to make i t a superior plastic, far i t may be immersed in water for months with no change in electrical properties. It is further characterized by dimensional stability, water-white color and clarity, relatively high softening point, and good abrasion and impact resistance although slightly brittle and subject to surface crystallization which defects may later be overcome, in which event it will lend itself for airplane windows. Principal applications of styrene plastics will be in decorative-novelty uses and for industrial purposes. Its behavior in high frequencies makes it of special value t o the electrical industry. At present i t is produced in the United States by only one company which synthesizes i t from benzene, a coalG. 0. tar product. Floating mountains. ANON. I d . Bull. o j Arthur D. Little, I w . , 142, 4 (Dee., 1938).-Flotation processes now used in the metal mining industry are being applied to the production of non-metallic minerals. I n the natural state most minerals are not water repellent and require a "collecting agent" to make them so. A typical collecting agent is an organic molecule containing oxygen or other reactive atoms a t one end, but an inert "carbon tail" a t the other. The active ends attach themselves to the mineral surface while the tails present a water repellent front. Only small quantities of the collecting agent are needed since a layer of one molecule deep is all that is necessary. To obtain a permanent froth with lasting bubbles to which the minerals may cling. pine oil is often added to the water. About 11,000 tons of phosphate rock are floated daily in Florida. Commercial plants float graphite, coal, fluorite, zircon, talc, barite, manganese ores, and sulfur. I n Carlsbad, New Mexico, a flotation plant is in operation, separating potash from common salt. G. 0.
"Vinyon." The Celanese Corporation has also announced plans for a new product, and American production of casein wool is being considered as well as soy-bean protein. G.0. Of infinite variety. ANON. Ind. Bull. of Arthur D. Little, Inc., 141, 2-3 (Nov.. 1938).-Chemists have sought to duplicate the fruitful carbon-to-carbon bond by using other elements closest to carbon in chemical characteristics in the hope that such a development might lead to new and different products. Thus silicon, which bas the power of combining with four atoms of hydrogen as does carbon, can also combine with itself to yield compounds called silanes analogous t o carbon compounds. Boron acts in a similar way t o give compounds called boranes; but if an atom of boron is combined with an atom of nitrogen, the combination bas a molecular weight of approximaiely twenty-four, almost the same as two combined carbon atoms. Here, perhaps, is a possibility, for a study of the physical properties of boron nitride reveals that i t exists in a hard crvstalline form like diamond and soft powdery form like graphit;, which suggests the possibility of substituting it for diamond in abrasives or graphite in lubricants. I t s refractory properlies have also been investigated. The fundamental question is whether these elements will make the chains and rings characteristic of carbon. So far no long chain combinations have been reported, but a diboroethylamine is known. Moreover, there does exist a combination resembling benzene in which three atoms each of boron and nitronen are arraneed alternatelv in a hexagonal ring with one atom'bf hydrogen &ached to each member of this new ring compound producing inorganic benzene which is also a liquid, a solvent for fats and oils, and has a benzene odor. Like benzene, it can add chemical groupings to the atoms of its rings or substitute groups for the active hydrogens to form derivatives. Investigations of these compounds are being carried out in Germany, and in this country by Dr. H. I . Schlesinger of the Univ ~ m i t vof Chicam and Dr. S. H. Bauer of Pennsvlvania State
ment of synthetic &solines is mentioned. As an example of the pwGbilitik of usGK prtroleunn as a basic rhemxd ma~erial,thc synthcsia of glyccrul 1; ritnl. By reaction betwcm chlorinr and nnxwlinc. allvl chloride ii rnsdc. The allvl chloride is then
resin-impregnated carbon or graphite through-which k r o s i v e liquids may be safely transferred. However, the impervious carbon materials are not recommended for temperatures above 175". Tubing of impervious carbon or graphite is reported capable of withstanding pressure ordinarily encountered in the process industries; it also has a low coefficient of expansion, is G. 0. light, and bas a high resistance to thermal shock. Florida oysters? ANON. Isd. Bull. of Avthur D. Little, Inc., 141.4 (Nov.. 1938).-The work of the National Farm Chemurgic
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Nylon. ANON. Ind. Bull. of Arthur D. Littlc, Inc.,141, 1-2 (Nov., 1938).-"Nylon" has been coined to designate "the synthetic fiber-forming polymeric amides having a protein-like structure" from which du Pont's new synthetic fiber is formed. Emphasis is placed on the strictly synthetic origin of the new fib&, air. waier, and cod. Sylon rescmblcs natural silk, hoth being pdyamides of protrin-like structurr, and in general nylon will take dvcc used fur silk wml. and acetatc. and somc drrcct dyes for cdtton and rayon.' One of its most promising uses is high twist yarn for fine hosiery. The ladies will welcome i t because of its high strength and resistance t o runs. The 6rst nylon product to reach commercial use is the bristle fiber, "Exton," used in tooth brush bristles. Among the uses prophesied for this new product are sewing thread, knit goods, fishing lines. dress goods, and plastic compositions. I n price it is believed that it will for the present parallel that of silk. This nylon development is one of several in the synthetic fiber field. Other new types are Carbide and Carbon's new vinyl base yarn,
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of new cotton to wortble& oyster beds t o make quick fortunes from the sale of oysters. The Department of Animal Husbandry of Kansas State College investigated the "Livestock Tmnrnvem~nt Asvxiation" which was selline ....r....---~-~ " larre - numbers of sows t o Kansas farmers promising t o buy back all young pigs a t seventv-five dollars apiece, a promise seldom fulfilled. Dr. llnrnard. ~ o m r n c n t i nupon ~ thew practirrs, says: "'l'he Farm Chemurgic Council must not he penalized by the misuie of its olans or ohicctires bv a rackereerina Dromortr who would r - ~ ~ exvloit a vrdfitable tu& oil industry b> ;he hesae l of cheap and wdrthless iand." G. 0. ~~~~
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