INDUSTRIAL A N D ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY
September, 1923
for their work. This state of affairs is exactly analogous to that which obtained in the textile industries a t the time that German dyes were shut off from this country. The American manufacturers were attempting to produce products suitable for staining, but in many cases the biologists found that these products were unsatisfactory. Therefore, work was started to examine the American stains and to draw up specifications to which dyes for this purpose must conform. The chemical work which this entails is being performed in the Color Laboratory. In the case of every dye used as a stain which has been examined chemically, i t has been found that the American stains are superior to the German in their purity and strength of color and that there are American stains obtainable which are as good a s or superior to the pre-war material in their staining qualities. Apparently, however, chemical purity and color strength alone are not the final criteria for a satisfactory biological stain. The biologists have awakened to this fact, and realize now as never before that a large amount of fundamental research on staining operations is necessary in order that this important phase of their work may be based upon a secure scientific foundation.
UTILIZATION OF FURFURAI, When it became evident some little time ago that it was possible to produce furfural in considerable quantities from corncobs and other agricultural wastes, the question arose as to whether this interesting compound could be used to advantage in the dye industry. Several dyes of representative types were prepared. Those of the triphenylmethane group, wherein the furfural was used as a substitute for benzaldehyde, proved to be extremely fugitive to light. In fact, the only dyes which were not fugitive were yellow and brown sulfur dyes, which had no superiority over well-known dyes of similar shade. When it
was shown that furfural was not suitable as an intermediate for dyes, the problem resolved itself into one of finding another field wherein furfural could be used to advantage. At present the most promising uses of this compound seem to be: (1) for the production of phenol condensation products of the type of Bakelite and Redmanol wherein the furfural is used in place of formaldehyde; ( 2 ) for the production of resins by condensation with amines, thereby producing soluble resins which may possibly have a use in the paint and varnish industry; and (3) for the preparation of paint and varnish removers wherein the peculiar solvent properties of this compound are utilized.
SYNTHETIC THYMOL In the sulfite paper pulp process there is produced as a byproduct a considerable quantity of p-cymene or "spruce turpentine." One million gallons of this hydrocarbon are allowed to go to waste each year in the United States. There has been developed in this laboratory a process for the production of thymol from this material, and an endeavor is being made to test out the process for the production of this valuable anthelmintic on a large scale. The reactions employed are those commonly used in dye chemistry, such as sulfonation, nitration, reduction, diazotization, and alkali fusions. A public service patent dedicated to the people of the United States for their free use has been obtained for this process.
PUBLICATIONS OF THE COLOR LABORATORY Reports of the results obtained with other problems investigated in this laboratory have been published from time to time and a list of these publications may be obtained upon application to the author.
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