ABSTRACTS R. A. BAKER,Ab~tracfEdifor HOWARD T. BONNETT OCTAVIA CHAPIN
F. B. DAINS
TENNEY L. DAVIS
T HOWARD GRAHAM
ETHELC. KEESLER B. CLIFFORD HENDRICKSD. C. LICHTENWALNER KATHERINE S. HOLMES GRETAOPPE J. W. HOWARD C. M. P n u r ~ ~
LEOPOLD SCHEFLAN GEO. W. SEARS B. D. THOMAS E. ROGERWASHBURN
KEEPING UP WITH CHENIISTRY
F.G. IIRICKNames for the hgdrogen isotopes. I I . C. CHBY. . wenm. G. M . ~ I C K P H Y Scwnrc 78, W2-3 (Dm. 28. 193:j) Professor R. W. W d sunaestrd reccntlv that the heaw mtooc .of hydrogen be named bsr-hydrogen, with as the symbol. :he compounds containing the heavy isotopes could then be Benzol,,Ammonia, etc. However, there are three waters, four ammonms, thirteen benzenes, etc., which complicates the situation. The names deuterium far the heavy isotope and pratium for the light isotope have previously been suggested hy the authors. The compounds H1H2,NHIHsl. etc.. would then be called protiurn deutcriom, mono-prot~um di-deuterium nitridc, etc ,rcspect~vcly. Thesymlmls H . H2rcem to fit intothe general schemc of symhols brttrr than an entirely diffrrrnt symbol, such ac D. became after all heavy hydrogen i9 btlll hydrogen. li. C. K. The separation and properties of the isotopes of hydrogen. H. C L'REV S&nce. 78.5lili-71 ( I k c Y2. 1983). -In a n sddrric before thc SEWYork Section of the Amer~canChemical Sucwtv. Professor Urey discusses the separation and properties of th; isotopes of hydrogen. The mass ratio in the case of hydrogen isotopes is one t o two and this large difference gives rise to very appreciable differences in the physical and chemical properties. The first appreciable increase in concentration of the hydrogen isotopes was secured by the distillation of liquid hydrogen near its triple point. The separation of the hydrogen isotopes by diffusing hydrogen gas across a flowing stream of mercury vapor has also been attempted. The electrolytic method of separation, however, has proved the most successful. The differences in properties of the compounds' of the hydrogen isotopes are discussed under the classification of thermodynamic, physical, kinetic, and physiological. E. C. K. Spectroscopic detection of isotopes and the discovew of hvdrog e n ~two. G. M. MURPHY. Re$. New Exg. AS&. C k m . Teachers, 35, 31-3 (1933).-One very important method of studvina nuclei consists in the search of all oossible nuclei or ~atomic species. It has been known for a long t h e that elements are really composed of several different kinds of nuclei, differing only in mass. These are called isotopes. Our knowledge of spectra has advanced to such a state that we can derive formulas showing. the dependence of the lines in the suectrum UDon the mass of the emitting atom and other properties' If it i i ~"ipccted that a n element ha, a n isotope thc mass of the new atom or molecule is substituted in the formula$ and the position of it? spectrum is calculatrd A simple calculation showed that isotopes of hydrogen would be very rare, but if one fractionally distilled liquid hydrogen, a concentration of the rare isotope might be effected. Upon testing the gas prepared in this way, a spectrum was obtained that could only be exdained as due t o atoms of hvdroeen of mass 2. They are present, in ordinary hydrogen, oniy t o t h e extent of about one part in 35,000. 0 . C. Recent contributions to our knowledge of the chemistry of vitamin A. M . T. BOOERT. Rep. N m Eng. Assoc. C h . ~
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Tenchers, 35, 40-1 (1933).-The results to date seem t o support strongly the hypothesis that the immediate progenitor of vitamin A is carotene, one molecule of the latter, CloHw,being hydrolyzed into two of the former C..HsoO. Olcott and McCann h a w suggested that this cleavage may be caused by an enzyme; for which they propose the name "carotenase." At present three carotenes, all GuHss,appear to be recognized and fairly well characterized. In addition to these it is not a t all unlikely that other isomeric carotenes may be dismvered in nature or prepared synthetically. From which it follows that 0. C. there may he also various isomers bf vitamin A. The chemistry of sea water. N. W. RAKEsmAw. Rcp. New Eng. Assoc. C h . Teachers, 35, 12-6 (1933).-The chemistry of the ocean is not only concerned with the composition of the immense solution which makes up the sea water but also with the suspended matter, both animate and inanimate, which floats in it and with the solid materials on the sea bottom. Chemically, the sea itself is a solution both concentrated and dilute, whose concentration is almost unchanging with respect to its major constituents but quite variable with respect to its minor ones. The chemistry of the sea has its economic as well as its purely biological side. Important minerals have been deposited in the sediments of thesea bottom andareconnected with thechemistrv of the s e a long since disappeared. The recovery of salt fro& sea water is an ancient industry, but more recently such byproducts as magnesium and bromine have become of importance. One of the most attractive features about the studv of the chemistry of the sea is the actual field work involved. - 0 . C. Gas buggies. ANON. Ind. RUN of Arthur U .I i l t l c . Inc., 84. 2 (Dec., 19133, -Increasing attrntion is being given abroad to thc develonment of =as-drwen motor trucks. Inrtead of =soline, the fie1 is producer gas made b~ drawing a restricted &olv of air through heated mke, coal, or wood contained in a comb& unit built into the chassis. The limited combustion yields producer ear. a carbon monoxide-nitrocen mixture. ~~~~-~ Thiq ear is ~consumed' directly in the usual internal combustion ennine. conventionally designed, except that a higher compression-Fati6 is prefcrrrd. Thr high cost of gasoline and other motor furls in I:uropran countries and the desire for indrpmdmce of imports constitute the chief inccntivec for these devtlo~,ments. The chief disadvantage of producer gas as a fuel far ;nternal combustion engines is its lack of flexibility. Some five minutes are required to start up a cold unit, after which it is reported to be as flexible for operation as with gasoline. If quick starting is desired, the producer gas system may be supplemented by an auxiliary gasoline system. A further disadvantage of producer gas is the labor of maintenance (filling, lighting, emptying ashes. and cleaning) and the chance that there may be gummy o r corrosive impurities. These disadvantages disqualify producer gas for pleasure vehicles, but in Europe there are several fields giving it serious consideration: namely, trucks for long distance G. 0 . hauling, tractors, and industrial engines.
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APPARATUS, DEMONSTRATIONS, AND LABORATORY PRACTICE Practical and mystifying home tests yon can make with iron. R. B. WAILES. Populal Sci. Ma., 123, 50 (Aug., 19331.-Experimentsaredesaibed illustratingtheoxidationof ironin the presence of hydrogen ions, passivity, reduction of cupric ions by iron, and the reduction of iron oxide by hydrogen or aluminum. The importance of the thermite process is emphasized. H. T . B. Surprising tests with household ammonia. R. B. WAILES. Popuhr Sci. Ma., 122.48 (June, 1933).-The following subjeds are presented: the oxidation of ammonia to nitric acid, the
evolution of ammonia from ammonium compounds when treated with NaOH, and the use of the reaction to prepare NH,OH, the formation of complex ions, and the properties of nitrogen. H. T. B. The camera and black light find new mystery metals. S. GLEASON. Popular Sci. Mo.. 123.13 (Nov., 1933).-A readable article describing the uses t o which some of the scientist's new tools, suchas theX-ray spectrograph, have been put in the hands of the metallurgist in the production of new alloys. H. T. B.
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Weird stunts with aluminum in the home Laboratory. R. R. W ~ u n s . Popular Sci. .110.. 123.52 (Sept., l933).-The rectifying action of an aluminum-oxidccoated sheet of aluminum toward alternatinnmrrcnt is orescnted. l'he Dower of nuclei in inducinz crystal growthjs strikingly illustrated'by the formation of cry; tals on the traclng left by writing on a sheet of glass with a styptic pencil when a concentrated solution of alum is poured over the glass. The clarifying action on turbid water of a floc of aluminum oxide is illustrated. H. T. B. Crime detection tests for the home chemist. R. B. WAILES. Poptclar S c i . Ale, 123, .FA (Kov.. 1933): Iodine may be obtained in the home laboratory by distilling off the alcohol from tincture of iodine. or bv hratine a mixture of ootasrium mdtde. mannanese dioxide, a n d -sulfuricvacid. Fingebints on articies m k be brought out by exposure to iodine vapor. Experimenti are described illustrating the reaction of aluminum or zinc with iodine, the instability of nitrogen triiodide, the enantiotropic property and preparation of mercuric iodide. H. T . B. How to comert old electric light bulbs into chemical glassware. R. B. WNLES. Popvlar Sci. Ma., 123, 61 (Nov., 1933).-With practice, the home chemist can make Florence flasks, distilling flasks, etc.. from burned-out light bulbs. H. T. B. Home tests show strange nature of chlorine. R. B. W a r ~ s s . Poplrlnr Sci. Mo., 123, 51 (Oct., 1933).-For experimental purposes the home chemist may obtain chlorine by means of the reaction of HCI and MnOn. The gas, as prepared, may be led into a flask in which reactions of chlorine, such as bleachine. reaction with metals, and the formationof bleaching powder, may be performed. It ise\r~ntialthat the unused gas issuing from the appnratus be passed ihrough a scrubber containing a solution of
lye. Chlorine may also be prepared by adding HCI or HISOI t o stores. "chloride of lime" obtainable a t m-v H. T. B. Experiments with liquid air. H. A. ~DDLES. Rep. Nnu Eng. Assoc. Chnn. Tmchers, 35, 21-6 (1933).-Short hktory of thc Orndmtion nf Ihcoretical basis and Mactical deuelotmmts for the ' liquid air. Between i852 and 1862 'the i&- hims son effect & te&perature. The "self intensive" ~ r ~ c m u l a t i vsystems e for cooling gases, elaborated by Linde, Hampsen, and Tripler between 1894-95. Isolation of argon by Ramsay in May, 1894. General cxberiments with liou&i air. Most of the exoeriments with liquid &r fall into two ckiiasses: first. those that dedend u&n the priprrty that wen when hoiling, liquid air has d very iow tcmpcrature; and second, that upon partial evaporation it furnishes a source of nearly pure oxygen Fifteen erpcriments
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Dehydrating aqueous solutions of acetic acid. D. F. O r m s ~ . Chem. & Met. Eng., 40,6313 (Dee., 1933).-If an organic liquid, miscible with anhvdrous acetic acid hut substantiallv inwlnhle in water and the organic solvent tend t o distil together a t a lowe; temperature whilr the vapor prrssurc of the acid will not he affected in such a marked degree. In practice it has been found IWS-ible. while utilmne this withdrawine Imu~d.to onerate a distilling column in mtkh the usual manner,but with bne condenser only a t the top which spills condensate into a gravity decanter. All of the entraining liquid is returned as reflux, after seoaration in the decanter. and the acid-free i% di+ ~~-~ water ~ ~ ~. ~ - . charged Erhylene chloride and'isupropyl ethcr arc two of many liquids which may be u.wd It is also possihlc to work this ns a continuous di\tillation process. J . W. H. ~
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ADMINISTRATIVE PROBLEMS AND DEVICES; CURRICULA Futnre trends in the teaching of elementary chemistry. J. have, as prerequisites, quantitative analysis and a year of organic A. maw. Rep. New Eng. Assoc. Chem. Tcechrs, 35, 34-5 chemistry and are advised t o carry, either as preliminary or (1933).-The more important objectives of the elementary parallel courses, physiology and physical chemistry. The aim is course: (1) To present the more important facts upon which t o study a s carefully as possible in one year the compositions of the philosnphy of the science is based, together with some knowl- the various tissues of the body and the chemical and physiological e d g ~of how these are obtained in the laboratory. (2) T o show processes of respiration, etc. how the laws of chemistry summarize a group of related phe~ h beginner , learns to weigh evidence for and against each step nomena. (3) To cultivate an understanding of the reasoning and not t o lose courage when the path is found blocked. Many by which experimental facts are interpreted by the fundamental times the carefully studied lesson of yesterday becomes today theories of the science. (4) To emphasize the usefulness of these but -interesting historyu as theories are thrown into discard by theories, imperfect though many of them may be, in the dis- new research, 0. C. covery of new facts and in the development and conservation of natural resources. (5) T o cultivate an appreciation of the imTin can E. C. AssOc. C k . T a c k s , 35, 4 1 4 (19331.-High-school chemistry has portance of scientific research in the civilization of our time, always been a course in which the Percentage of failures, country(6) To prepare for advanced courses in =hemistry. 0, C, fees, N, science, 579 (Dee, 22, wide, has been high. Most of the high-school chemistry courses 1933),-The proposal is made in this article that laboratory fees follow closely the college entrance board syllabus. The question be merged into generaltuition and that when a student pays his arises. can we teach for the 10% t o 15% and fail a large number enter the school of ~ i b ~ or ~ any ~ other l he of other pupils or should we adapt our courses t o what we conbe free to enter any course given in that school. I t is a proposal sider the needs Of the group in general? In order to have more pupils pass, let us not decrease the degree t o give students who wish t o take science an equal chance with of difficulty. Rather let us increase the extent of pupil interest those students who wish to take other subjects. E. C. K. m e place of physiological chemistry in the curriculum of a by bringing the subject matter of the course home t o him-home college for women. M. C. MCKEB. Rep. New Enp. Assoc. a t least to his kitchen and pantry shelves. Courses crammed Chem. Teachers, 3 5 , 3 7 4 0 (1933).-Physiological =hemistry is an full of illustrations from the home will have meaning to wideadvanced course. Major students electing it are required t o awake boys and pirls. Illustrations are giwn. 0. C.
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GENERAL Science. 78, MendtlCeff ertnhlished the reality of the periodicity of the ele3 7 1 4 (Oct. 27. 19331.-As nresident of the A. C. S.. Professor ments. In 1807 J. J. Thompson showed that the unit charge of Lamb addressed the h i e t v i t the exposition in chicago, set tin^ rlcctricitv was caoable of free existcncc. and the followinz war forth the eontribntmns of chemistry tothe advancement of scicnc; Madamh Curie d~scoveredradium. E. C:K. during the past LOO years. In 1833 chemistry was a small and How chemical industry looks a t N.R.A. H. L. DERBY. comoact science. and a chemist could hc cvoectcd to he informed Ckem. & Met. Eng.. 40. 582-3 (Nov., 1933).-Chemical indultry ab&t evew branch of his science. Now ch'emistrv is a collection has e v e n whole-hearted coijneration to the President and his- co-of xieneei; the sciences of thennochemistry, e&ctrochemistry. ~or!& in endeavoring to &my out the purposes of the act. photochemistry, radiochemistry, chemical dynamics, chemical Minimum wage rates with the maximum hours specified in the statics, and biochemistry are all products of the past 100 years. various codes makes imperative the efficient use of labor, and an Since 1833 fortv new elements have been recoenized. striking effective method of budget control of operations becomes highly improvements Gave been made in the preparatron o f i r o n ana essential. The reduction or elimination of waste is likewise a necessity. Inadequacy of existing machinery and equipment. strel, aluminum, sodium carbonate. ammoma. l'he refining of sugar ha.; been highly perfect~d,petroleum has been refined and improper plant I-tions, and unsound policies and methods in setmated into hundred* of indisoenwble nroducts. There were distribution are becoming exigent. reiatively few organic substancesknown i i 1833; now more than Marketing and distribution must he carried out in the same 300,000 have been made. More significant still is the advance in efficient manner as production. Future advertising programs will chemical knowledge, typical of which is the progress made in the probably change the emphasis from price t o quality and service. structure of matter. I n 1874, the correctness of Avogadro's J. W. H. Statistical data for chemical instruction covering 1931 and a fundamental assumption of the doubled formula for the common elementary gases was established; in 1852, the theory of valency part of 1932. F. HOPMAN. Z . pkys. chcm. Untwrickt, 46, 114-8 was propiunded, clearing up the problem of isomers; Newlands (July-Ang.,l933).-Data aregiven fortheworld productionofcoal, observed the recurrent properties of elements, and in 1869 iron, steel, gasoline, nitrogen fertilizers, and various ores. L. S.
A century of progress in chemistry. A. B. LMB.
