One in α series o f interviews w i f f t the men w&o ore
"Virginia*
"Hydroxylamine sulfate has already been used as a reducing agent, antioxidant, stabilizer and inhibitor and in synthesis. Yet its potential is still virtually untapped/1
Dr. Mearl A . Kîse, director of research and development at Virginia Smelting Company 78
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grades; t h e V H S ^ or 6G% assay, a n d VHSas, w h k h assays from 95 t o 9S%. In each case» stability is good, provided the storage place i s cool a n d dry. W e package it in xmiltiwall, moisture-proof 100-Ib. bags.
oxime is an antbkinning agent for printing inks. Dimethylglyoxime is an analytical reagent being used by the nickel industry. There are many other oximes derived from hydroxylamine» with uses t o o numerous t o itemize.
Q What makes VHS, the "Virginia" product, an excellent choice for e x perimentation and industrial use?
Q What possibilities does it offer in the manufacturing of synthetics?
A There are several reasons. First, o u r V H S offers uniformly high quality, whether in t h e 60 o r the 95-98% assay. Secondly, hydroxylamine sulfate is t h e most economical form of hydroxylamine, with t w o mois o f NH 2 OH for every m o l of sulfuric acid. In other words, with o u r VHS the manufacturer gets one pound o f hydroxylamine for every 2.49 lb. of t h e sulfate, whereas it takes 3.97 l b . of hydroxylamine acid sulfate t o yield that same pound. "VHS (Virginia Hydroxylamine Sulfate) offers uniform high quality „ . . m the 60 or the 95-98% assay" D r . M earl A . K i s e , d i r e c t o r of res e a r c h a n d d e v e l o p m e n t at Virginia S m e l t i n g C o m p a n y , discusses the t r e m e n d o u s p o t e n t i a l o f hydroxyl· a m i n e sulfate, o n e of t h e newer c o m m e r c i a l c h e m i c a l s n o w available in quantity.
Q in which direction d o you believe the greatest potential f o r hydroxylamine sulfate lies? A I t has a great many possibilities, b u t I think the largest fields of expansion may lie in t h e manufacture of oximes, because the need for a variety of oximes is large a n d continues t o grow. Oximes are used as antiskinning agents in paints a n d inks. Para quinone dioxime is used a s a vulcanizing agent for synthetic rubber. Methyl isobutyl ketone
Q W h y does hydroxyïarrm ^ sulfate offer so much potential for industrial applications? A Its potential lies in its ability to combine o r react in so many ways with other chemicals. Chemical processing and synthesis industries have already discovered this, a n d there are at this moment many uses of hydroxy lamine sulfate i n various early stages of development.
A Well, in t h e making of synthetic rubber several forms of H S a r e used a s a nondiscoloring shortstop in producing butadiene- a n d polybutadiene-acrylonitrile rubber. It is also used as a n intermediate, reacting with cyclohexanone t o produce eaprolactam, which, is converted to nylon through polymerization. Q H o w are its reducing properties used in industrial applications? A There a r e many ways in which it can be used, but I cannot b e t o o specific about them a t the moment, since many of these applications are in exploratory stages. However, I would suggest that where sulfur dioxide o r sulfites have not given satisfactory results, the reducing action of H S might well be explored. Q Will "Virginia" offer a n y technical assistance in such experimentation a n d research? A Yes. In any industrial application which holds promise o f the future use of HS i n any commercial quantities, we will be h a p p y t o provide technical assistance or counsel. Background information accumulated o n HS is readily available o n request.
MORE DATA ON HYDROXYLAMINE SULFATE is available concerning its properties and uses. Just write us, describing the type of industrial application in which y o u a r e interested. W e will send appropriate literature—or, if you wish, a ""Virginia" man will call on you-
Q In what w a y does it combine or react? A Well, it reacts with aldehydes and ketones t o give t h e corresponding aldoximes and ketoxirnes—with organic acids to form hydroxamic acids—with alkyl halides t o form mono-, di- and trialkylhydroxylamine salts. With N-dichloromethylamine it produces diazomcthane—and reacting with benzene diazonium chloride» it produces phenyl azide. These a r e just a few of its many possibilities.
Industrial Division VIRGINIA SMELTING COMPANY D e p t . 119, W e s t Norfolk, V a .
Q In what form is "Virginia" Hydroxylamine Sulfate supplied? A I n a white, crystalline form, i t is fairly free-flowing but is somewhat hygroscopic. W e produce i t in two
"Its potential is in its ability to combine or react in so many ways with other chemicals"
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