L E T T E R S A Look at Science Training for Nonscientists DEAR SIR:
I was happy to see the editorial "To Build a New Bridge" in the Oct. 1 issue (page 7 ) . The editorial based upon the talk "Liberal Arts and Astro nauts" by Dr. Max Tishler, president of Merck Sharp and Dohme Research Laboratories, at Bucknell University should make all of us in education re examine the problem of science train ing for the nonscientist. Dr. Tishler's lecture opened the 10th Anniversary of the Merck Lecture Series at Bucknell University. In view of the importance and great interest in his talk, it is being printed and copies can be obtained by writing to me at Department of Chemistry, Buck nell University, Lewisburg, Pa. LESTER KIEFT
Lewisburg,
Pa.
Don't Pick Line Notation Arbitrarily
Chemical Abstracts has for years been faced with a deficit. Just re cently the subscription rate was raised. If and when Chemical-Biological Ac tivities is published, it should be done as cheaply as possible, consistent with disseminating the maximum required information to the most people. The line notation, at present, does not come under required information for the user. If the view expressed by Dr. Dyson, "that within 10 years everyone will have to understand line notations" is correct, then Chemical Abstracts should be careful to either: 1. Maintain files on compounds in all the major notations, or, 2. Maintain no files on compounds in notation. To arbitrarily choose one notation for filing purposes is exposing Chem ical Abstracts to the possibility of great financial loss. While it may be argued that notations may be interchanged by computer methods, this has not yet proven feasible. Until the feasi bility is adequately demonstrated, Chemical Abstracts should tread care fully and not commit itself irrevocably. PETER F. SORTER
AHcyf MncapbhS • PRIMARY • SECONDARY • TERTIARY Available in tank cars NORMAL NORMAL PROPYL BUTYL PROPERTIES MERCAPTAN MERCAPTAN Purity, Wt. %
96.5
Density, at 20°C
97.0
0.841
0.842
Distillation, °C IBP
66.7
97.5
95%
69.8
Τ 01.5
PROPERTIES
TERTIARY ISOBUTYL BUTYL MERCAPTAN MERCAPTAN
Purity, Wt. % Density, at 20°C
98.0
98.0
0.831
0.800
Distillation, °C IBP
87.5
62.8
95%
90.0
65.6
New York, NY.
DEAR SIR:
[At the ACS meeting in Atlantic City, Dr. G. Malcolm Dyson described] a possible forthcoming publication of Chemical Abstracts which would be specialized in handling biological data. I must emphatically concur with the authors that there is a great need for this type of publication. One of the indices was a listing of the compounds mentioned in the publi cation, expressed in a chemical line notation. To my knowledge the Com mittee on Publications has never of ficially recognized the primacy of one line notation. If this is true, then it is incumbent upon the American Chemi cal Society either not to publish any listing of line notations or to include both the notations attributed to Dyson and Wiswesser, which today are the major systems under consideration. In either of these cases the users of the information could judge the relative merits of both notations without bias. The people who pay for the publica tions should not be faced by a fait ac compli thrust upon them by the Chem ical Abstracts Service.
The following Mercaptans are also available in tank car quantities:
Protective Suit For Pentaborane
Secondary Butyl Mercaptan Tertiary Octyl Mercaptan Tertiary Dodecyl Mercaptan
DEAR SIR:
In your issue dated Sept. 10, 1962, there appeared on page 74 an article and picture covering experimental work being performed by the F & M Scientific Corp. of Avondale, Pa. The protective suits being worn by the chemists in the picture were developed by our company for this specific opera tion and material (pentaborane). We are calling this to your attention since there was no known protective clothing properly designed for this type of material being used. We would be very happy to assist anyone who might inquire in regard to the protective clothing shown in the pic ture and required for the safe handling of this material.
Other mercaptans, sulfides, and disulfides available in semi-commercial and developmental quantities.
Want More Information? Write
PHILLIPS PETROLEUM CO. Special Products Division Bartlesville, Oklahoma
PETER T. SEBASTIAN
Delaware Valley Safeguards Co. Leesport, Pa.
Phone:
9 1 8 - F E 6-6600 OCT.
2 9,
196 2 C & E N
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