ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
EDITORIAL
August 1959, Vol. 31, No. 8 APPLIED JOURNALS, ACS Direcfor o f Publications, C. B. Larrabee Ediforial Direcfor, Walter J. Murphy Executive Editor, James M. Crowe Production Manager, Joseph H. Kuney ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY Edifor, Lawrence T. Hallett Manoging Editor, Robert G. Oibbs EDITORIAL HEADQUARTERS WASHINGTON 6, D. C. 1 155 Sixteenth St., N.W. Teletype WA 23 Phone REpublic 7-3337 Associate Editors: 0. Gladys Gordon, Stella Anderson, Katherine I. Biggr Assistonf Editors: Robert J. Riley, Robert J. Kelley, Ruth M. Howorth, Eugenia Keller, Sue M. Solliday, Malvina B. Preiss, Ruth Reynard Editorial Assisfonts: Katherine H. Ginnane, Virginia E. Stewart layout a n d Production: Melvin D. Buckner (Art); Betty V. Kieffer, Leroy 1. Corcoron, John V. Sinnett BRANCH EDITORIAL OFFICES CHICAGO 3, ILL. Room 926 36 South Wabash Ave. Phone STate 2-5148 Teletype CG 725 Associate Editors: Howard J. Sanders, Chester Plocek Assistant Editor: James H. Krieger HOUSTON 2, TEX. 718 Melrose Bldg. Phone FAirfax 3-7107 Teletype HO 72 Associate Editor: Bruce F. Greek Assistant Edifor: Earl V. Anderson NEW YORK 16, N. Y. 2 Park Ave. Phone ORegon 9-1646 Teletype NY 1-4726 Associate Editors: William Q. Hull, Harry Qenerron, David M. Kiefer, D. Gray Weaver, Walter 5. Fedor, Laurence J. White Assistant Edifor: louis A. Agnello SAN FRANCISCO 4, CALIF. 703 Mechanics' Institute Bldg. 57 Post st. Phone EXbrook 2-2895 Teletype SF 549 Associote Editor: Richard G. Newholl Assistant Editor: Joseph Sturchio EASTON, PA. 20th and Northarnpton Sts. Phone Blackburn 8-91 11 Teletype ESTN Pa 7048 /\ssoCiote Edifor: Charlotte C. Sayre Etiforihl Assistants: Joyce A. Richards, Elizabeth R. Rufe EUROPEAN OFFICE Bush House, Aldwych, London Cable JIECHEM Phone Temple Bor 3605 Associate Editor: Albert S. Hester
Analytical Chemists Help Solve Research Problems Fundamental chemical principles applied by analytical chemists assist in product and process dpvelopment
quality of the n-ork of today's analytical chemist is of a far higher level than it was just a few decades back. This increase in stature and status has been a gradual development and is often not recognized. It is true that there are still many analytical chemists whose work falls in the traditional role of testing and quality control. I n analytical research, we are happy t o note, the work of the analytical chemist is recognized as basic and he is a definite part of the research group. The desirable trend of including the analytical group in the planning and execution of research programs from the time of their inception will lead to greater contributions on the part of the analytical chemists to new product and process development. I n the past it would have been a rare case in which the analytical chemist developed a new chemical process or even was responsible for major improvements in existing processes. Today, this happens often. One specific instance where an analytical chemist was the major factor in developing a new process comes to mind. The man: Fisher Award winner James I. Hoffman, National Bureau of Standards; the process : production of aluminum from purely domestic minerals. During World War 11,when submarine warfare in the Atlantic seriously threatened to cut off supplies of imported bauxite used to manufacture aluminum, the Secretary of War issued an appeal for the development of processes to produce aluminum from domestic minerals. Hoffman explored the possibilities of an acid process for the extraction of aluminum oxide from certain types of domestic clay. With a small corps of assistants he developed a process, built a pilot plant, and produced a high quality aluminum oxide. This process can be used a t any time that bauxite imports might be cut off. A by-product of the research was a method of recovering and recycling the hydrochloric acid used. The process is used in extracting tin from Bolivian tin ores. The top-notch analytical chemist today has a good background in fundamental chemical principles and applies them to his analytical research. This same knowledge can be applied in helping to solve broad research problems, whether they be basic or applied research, or process or product development. HE
Contributing Editor: R. H. Muller Advisory Board: R. M. Archibald, W. H Beamer, F. E. Beamish, H. 0. Casridy, W. D. Cooke, J. I. Hoffman, M. T. Kelley, C. 1. Luke;W. M. MacNevin, W. J. Mader, John Mitchell, Jr., N. H. Nachtrieb, E. J. Rosenbaurn, R. G. Russell, F. H. Stross Advertising Manogemenf: REINHOLD PUBLISHING CORP. (For Branch Offices see page 107 A) VOL. 31, NO. 8, AUGUST 1959
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