CHANDLER LECTURE The Chandler Lecture for 1932 was delivered a t Columbia University, Piew York, on March 17, 1933, by George Oliver Curme, Jr., vice president of the Carbide & Carbon Chemicals Corporation. I n presenting the medal awarded at the close of the lecture, Dean H. I,. McBain, of Columbia, spoke in part as follows in praise of the medalist: To many of you his work is familiar, especiully that resulting in the commercial production of ethylene glycol, ethylene dichloride, ethylene chlorhydrin, ethylene oxide, diethyl sulfate and dichlorcthyl ether. Among the entirely new products he has discovered are Carbitol, butyl Carhitol, butyl Cellosolve. methyl Cellosolve, Pyrofsx, and Vinylite resins. To these noteworthy accomplishments must be added his brilliant research which resulted in the development of new methods for the commercial production of synthetic ethyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, and acetone. Doctor Curme is considered one of the greatest living authorities on aliphatic chemistry. He, perha s, heads the list of those who have brought the leadership in aiphatie chemistry to the United States where the abundance of materials and independence of thought have permitted American chemists to strike out in new directions. His genius for the ap lication of fundamental grinoiples to practical problems of s y n t h c organic chemistry as heen larrelv rcsDonsibie for the buildine of a distinctlv American chemicii i;ldnsEry. The Clresles Frederick Chandler Foundation was established in 1910, wlicn friends of Professor Chandler presented to the trustees of Columbia University a sum of money, and stipulated that the income was to be used to provide lecture
by an eniinent chemist and also a medal to be oresented to
tgis lecturer in further recognition of his achievements in the chemical field. The previous lecturers and the titlcs of their lectures are BB follows: 1914 L. E. Ilaekeland
1910 W. F. Ifiliebisnd 1920
W. R. Whitney
1921 F. C . IIopkins
1922
E. F. Smith
1923 R. E. Swain 1925
E. C. Kendell
1926
5.
1927
hloaes Gomberg
1928 1929
J. .4. Wilson Irving Langniuir
w. Pari
I
(1914)l Our Analytiosi Chemietry and Its Putuze [ V d 9, 170 (191711 Tlrs Littlest -Things io Chemistry [vol. 12. 599 (1920)l Newer .4speets of the Nutrition Problem (Vol. 14. 64 (1922)l Samuel Lstham Mitchili-A Father in Amerioan Chemiatry IVol. 14. 580 (1922)l Atmospheric Pollution by Industrial Wsstea (Vel. 15. 296 (1923)l Influence of the Thyroid Ginnd on Oxidation io Animal Ormoism [Vol. 17. 525 (1926)l The Conatitutioo of Coal-Ksviqg Special Referenoe to the Problems of Corbonhatian [Vol. 18, 840 (1920)l Redicals in Chernietry. Paat and Prosent [Vol. 20, 159 ll92S)l Chemistry and Leather [Vol. 21. 180 (1929)l Electroshemioal InteiW.tionS Of Tungsten. Thorium. Caesium. and Oxygen [Voi. 22. 390 ,,02,,ll
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1931 J~~~~B. conaot
EqUilibriSand Rete. ai [Val. 24, 460 (1932)l
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..... Synthetic Organic Chemistry in Industry GEORGE0. CURME,Jn., Carbide & Carbon Chemicals Corporation, New York, N. Y.
ROM the nature of t h e i r s u b j e c t i t is necessary f o r m o s t c h e m i s t s to be concerned about minute details, while the attitude of the public is usually an unquestioui n g a c c e p t a n c e of t h e wonders of s c i e n c e . Between these t w o widely separated p o i n t s of view there is a middle g r o u n d that can be profitably explored and which has heen given much less attention than its i m p o r t a n c e deG~~~~~ 0.cURWE, jR. serves. Accordingly, I am going to summarize many fields of synthetic organic chemistry where, at the sacrifice of detail, we will gain in perspective on the whole subject and perhaps he able to a m v e at a better approximation of its value and its trends than would be possihle by scrutinizing chemical experiments, or by leaving chemistry entirely behind and deafig solely with business.
F
EXPLOSIVES One of the early contributions of organic synthesis to indue try, if not the earliest, was the production of mercury fnlminate for use in percussion caps about 1819. At that time the
rather uncertain flintlock weapons were in general use, and numerous gunmakers were experimenting a i t h detonating caps containing various mixtures in order to iniprove the rapidity and sureness of the discharge of small arms. Among the other materials tried was mercury fulminate, which had first hceu synthesized in the laboratory only a few years previously. This was found to be the most satisfactory m a t s rial available and was generally adopted in view of the tactical advantages which it offered. Synthetic products were extensively investigated in the explosives industry during the decades following the introduction of mercury fulminate. However, it was not until 1862 that there is record of commercial application of other such products, when Emanuel Nobel and his sons established a Dlant near Stockholm for the Droduction of elvcervl trinitrate. This daring group overcame great techr&ce;lf difscnltiee at personal hazard and, convinced of the value of their product, established operations on a permanent basis. One of their most successful experiments came about by accident when a canof glycerylnitrate that had beenpackedinkieselgnhrbcgan to lcak. It was found tliat the absorbent material effectively took up the liquid, giving a putty-like mass much less sensitive than the original. This mixture came to be known as dynamite and, with certain improvements in composition, is still one of the most widely used explosives. Meanwhile the manufacture and use of cellulose nitrate began to be better understood. Its tendency to ignite spontaneously was traced to impurities which were eliminated, and
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