-
Eliminating Cu algebraically HNO.
+ NHzOH
2N0
+ 2H10
I n (n - z) simultaneous linear equations involving n variables, there will be only x independent variables, (n - x) linearly dependent variables, x main reactions, and (2%- z - 1) side reactions. This technique might be used in complex industrial organic processes of low yield, if all products can be identified.
cyclohexyl fluoride ( - A H o = 3.1 kcal/mole) are only slightly stronger than phenol. . .cyclohexyl iodide (-AH' = 1.7 kcal/mole) and for example, eveninferior in strength to phenol . . . di-n-butyl selenide ( - A H o = 3.7 kcal/mole). Keither the "exceptional electronegativity of fluorine" nor "the high "polarity of the C-F bond" apparently is of paramount in~portancein determining hydrogen bond enthalpies.
DONALD R. SWAYZE
To the Editor: Because of the rapid advances in chemistry in recent years the vocabulaly used to describe new terms has been often vague and inadequate. I n order to correct and revise one frame of reference, may I offer-at the instigation of Dr. Naeser of George Washington University-the use of the word "ionocule" for the opposite of molecule. Certainly the present use of "formula" or "nonmolecular" is anything but satisfactory for substances which are empirical. The former term suggests that molecules have no formulas; and the latter intimates what the substance is not, but certainly not what it is. As a teacher I find it increasingly difficult to cope with the poor choice of words in the field of chemistry. I hope a keen awareness of this situation will bring forth more descriptive and better suited vocabulary to our branch of science.
To the Editor: W. F,. Dasent in his article on "Yon-existent Compounds" (THISJOURNAL, 40, 130 (1963)) commented, "In view of the exceptional electronegativity of fluorine and the high polarity of the C-F bond, it is surprising that substances containing hydrogen bonds such as R3C-F. . .H-OR do not seem to have been prepared." Actually, several reports of hydrogen bonding involving alkyl monofluorides are available in the literature (SCHLEYER, P. YON R., AND WEST, R., J . Am. Chem. Soc., 81, 3164 (1959); WEST, R., POWELL,D. L., WHATLEY, L. S., LEE, M. K. T., AND SCHLEYER, P. volv R., J . Am. Chem. Sac., 84, 3221 (1962) and the referelices cited therein) but such associations are relatively weak. Hydrogen bonds between phenol and 270
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Journal of Chemical Education
To the Editor: We have numerous institutes devoted to upgrading science teaching. My experience suggests that some attention needs to be given to upgrading communication skills. I was disillusioned when ninety-eight spelling errors appeared on a short-answer midterm in an NSF course for science teachers. Using the spelling which appeared on this exam, the science teachers might produce the following axposition on water and hydrogen. Water is amhyrotelic, is highly pole,, and has a high service tention. I t is less wolitila than its emphim'cal formula indicates. Water vapor condenses on a cold surface to form due. The loss of water by a hydrate is called efiouresense and the opposite process is called deliyuasenee. Water contains hydrogen which is a gass. Light hydrogen contains no nutrons but its heavierisotropesdo. Hydrogenformshydrieds. Hydrogen atoms undergo neclear fussion to form helium. Hydrogen atoms may be accelerated in a cycletvon. Hydrogen is not a mettelloid nor is it a transcessional element. NEILSSON WILYUM HOOVIE alias XELSOX W. HOVEY
To the Editor: The article "The Rate of Iodination of Aniline" (THISJOURNAL, 39, 632 (1962)) contains the statement "these results are consistent with the assumption that I+ (from I2 I+ I-) is the iodinating species." Although the kinetics are consistent with this view, neither the reactivity of the iodinating species nor the thermodynamic calculations are. Recently a review was published sunnnarizing the considerable body of evidence against iodine cations existing is aqueous media.' I n this particular instance the mechanism may be H1O + L 5 HIOI+ + I-
+
with protonated bypoiodous acid as the iodinating agent. J. AROTSKY THEHARRISCOLLEGE PRESTON, ENGLAND M . C. R., Quart. Rev., 16, 282 l A ~ o ~ J.,s AND ~ ~ SYMONS, , (1962).
