Indiana Section Holds Pli^siochemical Symposium K STAFF REPORT
A". Lark-Horovits,
Purdue
University
V-iELEBRATiNG Pearl Harbor Day, Dec. 7, with the dissemination of knowledge rather than bombs, the Indiana Section of the AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY spon-
days of isotopic research*, the amounts of radioactive material available were very small as compared to ttae large amounts made available through t!he pile which has opened up whole new fiields of research. He stressed the necessity for cooperation between chemist and phjrsicist if full benefits are to be reaped. The large amounts of CH "being made available and the potential usefulness of this material in tracer chemistry have opened up a new field of: research for the synthesis of organic compounds using C 0 2 as a starting material. K e felt, also, that within ten years 50% off all scientific research would be utilizing ^tracer techniques. This greater utilization o>f radioactive materials presents the important problem of safety. Because of the a-pparent harmless nature of radioactive substances, far greater than ordinary caje must" be taken in order to prevent disasters. Among the problems mow being studied through the use of tracer techniques are the solubility products, activity coefficients, and vapor pressures of difficult substances. In addition many biological problems are being steadied using such isotopes as P M , S", K*3, Ca*», I 181 , and As74, many of which can be purchased directly from the Clinton, pile. R. B. Woodward of Harvard University discussed the swing towards physical methods in the elucidation of the structure of organic compounds with a correspondingly lesser dependence o n the methods of degradation. Whereas *heuse of degradation techniques leaves -doubt as t o possible original structure, physical methods
are accurate and straightforward. Dr. Woodward also discussed the use of such techniques as those involving dipole moments, and predicted increasing use of electromagnetic radiations and certain radar techniques developed during the war. The principle and use of the mercurydropping electrode were the subject of H. A. Laitinen of the University of Illinois. Limited in the study of oxidation reactions, the dropping mercury electrode is extremely valuable in the study of reduction processes. Dr. Laitinen stated that practically every metallic ion can be studied using the electrode and in the organic field it has infinite uses. Through the use of the dropping mercury electrode it is expected that a method will be worked out which will permit the quantitative measurement of the ease of reduction of the carbon-to-carbon double bond which is capable of being reduced. The methods used in the study of large protein molecules were discussed by H. S. Bull of Northwestern University. He pointed out the many similarities to methods used in high polymer studies, and stressed the value of the ultracentrifuge and electrophoresis in the study of protein molecules. Almost deprived of the contribution of Alfred O. C. Nier by a grounded plane, a dramatic last-minute appearance enabled the assembled group to hear him discuss "Mass Spectrometry in Chemistry". He described the principles of the mass spectrograph and its growing use as an industrial tool for analysis and control.
sored a one-day symposium which stressed the growing value of physical chemical methods for research and control. Over 190 persons were present at the Lincoln Hotel in Indianapolis as R. J. Kryter of the Esterline Angus Co., president-elect of the section, introduced the first of six outstanding speakers. He was Ralph H. Munch of the Monsanto Chemical Co., and columnist on instrumentation for Industrial and Engineering Chemistry. He discussed the value of spectroscopic methods in general with emphasis on the value of infrared spectroscopy. In the infrared region the complex spectra encountered are very characteristic of the molecular structure with which they are associated. Similarly, in infrared absorption it is possible to associate bands in certain regions of the spectrum* with the presence of certain groups in the molecule. Thus, hydroxyl, methyl, and carbonyl groups each give rise to bands in a certain region of the spectrum no matter what the remainder of the molecule is. It is even possible to tell whether a carbonyl group is part of an aldehyde, ketone, acid anhydride, or ester. In addition spatial configurations of organic molecules, cis and trans isomers, as well as ortho, para, and meta isomers R. D , Woodward of Harvard Uni-versity; H. A. Laitinen of the University of Illinois; can be differentiated. An instrument for recording oxy- R.J. Kryter, Esterline Angus* Co., and Alfred O. C. Nier of the University of Minnesota gen devised by Linus Pauling and based on the greater magnetic susceptibility of oxygen as compared to other common gases was described by Dr. Munch. He also stated that microwave absorption methods give promise of being of value in the study of molecular structures. K. Lark-Horovitz of Purdue University has been active in isotopic research from the first work done in 1914 with the naturally occurring x iioactive isotopes of lead, bismuth, and thallium to the accelerated program inspired by the advent of the uranium pile. In the early VOLUME
2 4, N O . 2 4 . . D E C E M B E R
2 5, 1 9 46.
3347
