M A Y 10, 193T
NEWS EDITION
penetrating systems. T h e visible struc tural patterns of the secondary wall were shown t o b e extremely complex. Studies of the growth of the cotton fiber and t h e structural patterns observed a t various stages of t h e development of the fiber were discussed. T h e lamellae observed in the cotton fibers were shown to result from differences in t h e density of the de posited material, which coujd be con trolled b v variation of light o r tempera ture. These growth rings persisted, re gardless of t h e treatment accorded t h e fiber, since t h e y were demonstrable in various cellulose derivatives. Studies of the membrane structure of Valonia and of the isolation of white oak holocellulose Agricultural a n d Food were also presented. Some time was Chemistry given t o a discussion of these contribu tions with respect t o the theory that t h e HE Division of Agricultural and Food cellulose membrane is composed of cellu Chemistry joined with t h e Divisions lose particles and cementing material. of Biological and Medicinal Chemistry in Papers dealing with the molecular a symposium on vitamins, as has been the weight of cellulose, x-ray studies of crys practice for several meetings. This time a whole d a y was given t o the vitamin Β tallite orientation in regenerated cellu lose fibers, and x-ray diffraction studies complex, with special attention being paid of the action of liquid ammonia on cellu t o t h e pellagra fraction in a half-day meet lose and its derivatives were presented. ing held under the auspices of t h e Hospital A new photoelectric densitometer for the of Duke University at Durham. Demon analysis of x-ray diffraction patterns was stration of this type of malnutrition in human beings was t h e high point of the described. The decomposition of cellulose by means symposium. In addition, a half-day symof microorganisms under various condi sium on vitamins other than those of the tions and the role of cellulose i n the origin complex was held. of coal and peat formation were reviewed. The division also had a full-day sympo sium on t h e subject of flavors. T o en Experimental results were also presented which lead t o the belief that cellulose, courage further work in this rather con rather than lignin, is the parent material troversial field, an effort is being made t o publish the ten papers presented under one of bituminous coals. The artificial forma tion of asphalts and crude oils from carbo cover in some pertinent journal. T h e hydrates was described. T h e fermenta papers were very well received, a s evi tive utilization of ceUulosic materials was denced b y an attendance ranging from 50 discussed with reference to the butylto 175 Thirty-eight members attended acetonic fermentation of t h e acid h y the purely social divisional luncheon a t the drolysate of oat hulls. Carolina Inn, a n excellent indication of An extensive review of t h e nature of the interest being shown in this field. plant incrustants w a s presented, and it G E R A L D A. FITZGERALD, Secretary was shown that lignin products may b e isolated which are in part aromatic. Recently, vanillin, acetovanillin, and Biological Chemistry eyringic aldehyde have been isolated a s WENTY-EIGHT of the 44 papers presented degradation products from sulfite pulp before the division were concerned with liquors. T h e important role played b y vitamins. All of Tuesday was given over fructose in plant metabolism and lignin to a Symposium on the Vitamin Β Complex. formation was stressed, and the theory At t h e afternoon session, which was held was developed that glucosonic and frucat Duke University, W. H. Sebrell of the turonic acids (especially the former) rep National Institute of Health, and David resent the principal source of isolated T. Smith and Julian M. Ruffin of the Duke lignins. Studies of the structure of oak University Medical School were among the lignin and the pretreatment of wood with speakers and presented the pellagra prob hot dilute acid and its effect on lignin lem from t h e public health and clinical values were presented. Results of experi viewpoints. T h e opportunity t o view ments on t h e minimizing of wood shrink pellagra cases and t o learn of the disease age and swelling b y heating in various and its treatment first hand proved of gases or treating with sucrose or invert great interest. sugar were presented. T h e Wednesday morning program cov Recent developments in the harvesting ered a variety of subjects of biochemical of whole cotton and the removal of silica interest, and vitamins A, C , and D re in the pulping of t h e whole cotton plant ceived attention Wednesday afternoon. were discussed. Of particular interest were the reports of A method for the preparation of cellu progress in the isolation and in the ascer lose ether b y alkylation of the cellulose in taining of the physical and chemical prop a quaternary ammonium hydroxide solu erties of vitamins A and D . tion was described. A study of the vis T h e Divisions of Agricultural and Food cosity-concentration relationships in ethyl Chemistry and Medicinal Chemistry co cellulose solutions w a s presented. Papers operated in t h e symposium o n Tuesday, describing the effect of light on the vis as well a s in the Wednesday afternoon cosity of cellulose acetate solutions, t h e program. quantitative determination of methyl WALTER C . RUSSELL, Secretary furfural, and t h e use of 2,3,6-trimethyl glucose diethyl mercaptal in t h e prepara tion of 2,3,6-trimethyl glucose were also Cellulose Chemistry read. W. O. K B N Y O N EVERAL papers were presented deal ing with studies of cellulose in various plant structures. Both t h e pri mary and secondary walls of t h e typical cells of higher plants were shown t o be composed of a matrix of cellulose, in which noncellulosic constituents m a y be deposited t o form two continuous inter-
Division Reports
T
197 Chemical
HE Division of Chemical Education T had an unusually successful session, with a peak attendance of 125 at t h e regu lar program and 100 a t the luncheon. Particular interest was shown in a sound ricture on "Electrochemistry." A n inormal colloquium on teaching qualitative analysis v a s attended by more than 50.
Î
N . W. RAKESTRAW,
S
Secretary
Colloid Chemistry
A
N INTERESTING half-day session was held o n Wednesday a t which there was spirited discussion of much of the material t h a t was presented. T h e at tendance a t these meetings ranged u p to 100. Unofficially, t h e division cooperated with t h e Division of Cellulose Chemistry in its Tuesday program. T h e officers de cided t o distribute, t o members of t h e di vision, abstracts of the Colloid Sympo sium t o b e held in Minneapolis during June. It w a s also planned to hold a joint symposium with the Division of Physical and Inorganic Chemistry a t the Rochester meeting. T h e symposium is t o concern itself with chemistry of t h e photographic process.
r
T
Education
L. H. REYERSON,
Gas a n d Fuel
Secretary
Chemistry
Ί
'ΉΒ Division of Gas and Fuel Chemistry held a small but extremely interesting meetingat which six papers were presented. The discussion of t h e two manuscripts on plasticity o f coal was particularly interest ing, involving the difference between plasticity of the pure coal substance and the gas-filled material encountered in coke making. Plans were announced for a comprehensive symposium on gaseous combustion t o be held a t the Rochester meeting. Already some 26 papers have been promised with authorship in the United States, England, and Holland. It will cover all phases of t h e subject from the highly theoretical side to the practical applications, especially i n internal com bustion engines. ALDEN H. KMERY,
Secretary
Industrial a n d Engineering Chemistry
A tended the meeting of the Division of In PPROXIMATELY 100 members AMERICAN
CHEMICAL
of the
SOCIETY
at
dustrial and Engineering Chemistry. Di visional Chairman T . A. Boyd presided over the presentation of a general program of ten papers, covering recent advances in varied subjects related t o the interests of the division. The papers were well pre sented, and the general attitude of the audience indicated a successful meeting. Local arrangements were capably handled under the direction of J. C . I^oftin, of the University of North Carolina. Plans for the Rochester program of the division include several symposia, as well as a program of papers of general interest to be announced soon. H . 8. GARDNER, Assistant Secretary Medicinal r
Chemistry
l^HB Division of Medicinal Chemistry 1 met with the Divisions of Biological and of Agricultural and Food Chemistry in a joint symposium on vitamins for both Tuesday sessions and the Wednesday after noon session. The Wednesday and Thurs day morning sessions were given t o t h e
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DURHAM PLANT OF T B S AMERICAN TOBACCO C O .
presentation of 21 papers before the divi sion. The attendance was highly gratify ing, at times approaching the capacity of the auditorium. Of the papers presented, two—viz., by J. Allen bcott and b y Paul D. Lamson— were given by nonchemists and upon in vitation. Heinrich Hoerlcin cabled his regrets that ill health kept him away but had asked a former student, Dr. Puetzer, to read his paper. Chairman Tabern appointed A. D . Holmes and J. H. Waldo, both former officers of the division, t o cooperate with the secretary in reviewing the present con stitution and by-laws with a view toward establishing more clearly the requirements for authors who submit papers to the di vision.
auspices of the Virginia Section of t h e surprised to learn that the scientific activi AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY. Major ties were beginning ahead of the official W. Catesby Jones is chairman of t h e local program, Irving Langmuir speaking on committee, assisted by Sidney Negus and "Polymolecular Films and Skeleton Lyndon F. Small. Films," which was a most interesting twin H. L. SHRINER, Secretary to his talk in the symposium the next morning. The Symposium on Surface Chemistry, Paint a n dVarnish Chemistry under the leadership of P. H. Kmmett, the interest of many people Tuesday HIGHLY successful meeting as regards held morning and afternoon. 4I^ater there were both attendance and quality of the five group symposia on *Complex Inor papers, was held by the Division of Paint Compounds," "High Polymers," and Varnish Chemistry. Eleven papers ganic "Aqueous Solutions of Nonelectrolytes," of a miscellaneous nature were heard on "Dipole Moments," and "The Structure of Tuesday. Eight papers, arranged as a Liquids." The nature of these sessions Symposium on Organic Plastics, and con varied as much as the subjects. The Di ducted under the chairmanship of G. M . vision of Paint and Varnish Chemistry Kline, were heard on Wednesday and adjourned its own symposium so that its Thursday mornings. WALTER H. HARTUNG, Secretary members might attend the group Sympo The system of uniform reproduction of sium on High Polymers. Some of the abstracts inaugurated by many of t h e others came much nearer to being dis divisions for this meeting was used. Microchemical Section cussion groups of experts who are contrib Chairman Kienle announced that D r . uting actively t o the field of the sympo r p u E Microchemical Section held one Howe had made some progress toward the sium. Our experiments with group sym JL session on Wednesday afternoon, April publication of the lacquer monograph. posia have demonstrated that they are 14, at which seven papers were presented. The interest in organic plastics has desirable, but they have not shown yet The average attendance was about 75 reached the stage where a definite place in what form is best, or if there is one best persons interested in microchemistry. the SOCIETY'S activities seems warranted. form. Several of the papers evoked very lively After a brief discussion of means t o reach Contributed papers occupied four halfdiscussion. Plans are actively under way the desired objective, a cordial invitation days, of which one was devoted to analyti for the fall meeting of the section to be was extended t o chemists interested in cal two t o physical chemistry, held at Rochester, Ν. Υ. organic plastics to form a group or section and chemistry, the other t o inorganic and physical W. R. KIRNER, Secretary of the Division of Paint and Varnish chemistry. Altogether there were eleven Chemistry. The invitation was heartily half-day sessions in five half-days. After accepted and our future programs will the first session of the Surface Chemistry Organic Chemistry therefore be of interest t o a somewhat Symposium, there were always t w o or HE Division of Organic Chemistry larger group. three sections meeting simultaneously. G. M. Kline, of the National Bureau of held a two-day session in Phillips GEORGE SCATCHARD, Secretary HaU at the University of North Carolina. Standards, was elected chairman of t h e new section, and the secretary of the D i The divisional meetings were well a t vision of Paint and Varnish Chemistry tended. Some 58 papers were prcs«nt«*d. Rubber Chemistry will serve the new section a s well as t h e They dealt with such a wide variety «.f entire division. HE meetings of the Division of Rubber subject matter that each one found -om.· G. G. SWARD, Secretary Chemistry were held Wednesday after thing of interest. T h e local con. 'Τ
