N€W CHEMICALS Methy I-ptoluate Produced on Commercial Scale by Hercules Hercules Powder Co. has announced the production of commercial quantities of ~Iethyl-pnm-toluate, an ester isolated in their Imhausen xylene oxidation process. ,4 new chemical intermediate, it is said to be useful in the synthesis of dyestuffs and organic pigments. Although little investigational work has been carried out, and there are only a fern literature citations, the company suggests potential utility in the fields of essential oils, insecticides, pharniaceuticals, and related industries, as being indicated by the chemical structure. A white crystalline solid of characteristic aromatic odor, the product melts a t 34" C. to a clear, mobile liquid. It boils a t 221" C. a t 760 mm. Hg and a t 151" C. a t 100 nim. Specific gravity (25/15.6) is 1.058, and vapor pressure a t 100" C. is 13 min. Hg. Its chemical reactions are typical of aromatic esters, and include ainmonolysis, alcoholysis, hydrogenolysis, saponification, and a variety of ring-substitution reactions. Because of the nature and position of the groups already present on the benzene ring, substitution would be expected primarily a t the position ortho to the methyl group. I n view of the incoinplete studies on toxicology of the compound, Hercules recommends that reasonable precautions be taken in using the new material. 16 New Surface Active Agent
A new anionic surface active agent, Isomal 265, has been developed by the Johnson March Corp. for use in all kinds of chemical processes as a wetting agent, rewetting agent, penetrant, detergent, and emulsifier. The compound is a concentrated sulfonated ester type liquid which is reported to have a broader range of solubility in water and nearly all organic solvents than ever before possible with any surface active agent. It is said to be easily dispersed in alcohol, acetone, petroleum solvents, oils, and chlorinated solvents in practically any type of application. Clear in appearance, Isoinal 2G5 has a neutral pH factor and a specific gmv70 A
ity of 1.088 a t GO" F. It is approximately GOToactire and mildly pleasant in odor. The m:mufacturer claims that high operating efficiency is obtained from the unique kalance of lipophilic and hydrophilic elements. The solutio11 is said to be compatible with nonionic and other anionic agents, t o be stable a t temperatures to 210" F., and to have 17 no upper or lowe- cloud point. N-Methylformatiilide
Experimental slid semicommercial quantities of N-inethylformanilide are now available from Haber Laboratories, Inc. Used as an intermediate in the manufacture of relatively difficult aldehydes, it does not require a solvent for formylation react ions with liquid or low melting compounds. A bibliography o f pertinent literature on the use of N-niothylformanilide has 18 been compiled by the company. Alkatyl Sulfonat,? Series
Kino1 Laborato-ies is now making available a broad range of alkyl aryl sulfonates for use n aqueous detergent systems, emulsification, and corrosion inhibition. ~Iolecular weights increase from sodium xylene sulfonate (Ninex 303, molecular weight 208) to oil-soluble amine sulfonates (3inate 430, molecular weight 480). This series makes possible the selection of a sulfonate with the proper hydrophobe or hydrophile balance for any given application. The water-solublo Ninex products are used as coupling agents, foamers, dishwashing detergents, and shampoos; the oil-soluble Ninates are valuable as waterin-oil emulsifiers, and corrosion inhibitors for oils or gasoline. Ninol also offers experimental samples of tailor-made sulfonates with unique cations such as zinc, nickel, or complex 19 amines. Dimethyl Acetonedicarboxylic Acid
Pilot plant quantities of the dimethyl ester of ricetonedicarboxylic acid are being offered by Chas. Pfizer & Co., Inc. DXADA is a white, viscous liquid and, according to a company spokesman, it is a rel3tively stable compound which is soliible in methanol, chloroform, benzene, and ethyl acet,ate, but is insoluble in water and hexane.
CCIIEEIWICALS REAGENTS MATER lA L S It has a molecular weight of 174.15 and a boiling range of 95-99" C. a t 2 min. Hg. Decomposition is accelerated by moisture and traces of acid or alkali. It forms tightly bound bright-red iron chelates, soluble in certain noliaqueous media, and yields an insoluble salt with copper. Reactive a t the carbonyl groupf the carbomethoxy groups, and progressively a t the active methylene groups, DMADA can be condensed with a number of compounds t o form oxygen and nitrogen containing heterocycles. 20 Bisphenol A
Monsanto Chemical Co. has announced that Bisphenol A, an intermediate in the manufacture of epoxy resins, is available in commercial quantit,ies. A full-scale plant for production of the polyfunctioiial phenol is nom in operation. A company spokesman has stated that process refinements incorporated into the nev plant have resulted in a highly purified compound which has excellent heat stability. 21 Unsaturated Alcohols
Commercial quantities of LTnadol 40 and Uiiadol 90, unsaturated alcohols nith two or more double boiids and one hydroxyl group, are now available from Archer-Daniels- idla land's Chemical Products Division. The new fatty alcohols are described as noncorrosive, almost water-white liquids derived from domestic vegetable oils such as linseed and soybean. They are said to be oily liquids that resemble in appearance the materials from which they are derived, although they have less odor and are lighter in color. According t o the company, the priiicipal component of Unsdol 40 is linolenyl alcohol which possesses two double bonds. Linolenyl alcohol, with three double bonds, is the principal component of Unadol 90. Also available is Adol 40, a highly stable long-chain (CB)unsaturated fatty diol which has three chemically reactive positions, two hydroxyl groups, one on a terminal carbon atom and the other on the 12th carbon, and one double bond. Readily soluble, Adol 40 For further information, see coupon on page 61 A ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
Among chemists, t h e morning coffee-break i s a well-established ctrstom. During these i n f o r m a l symposia m a n y worth-while data are exchanged. W e should like to sit in and tell you about some of our 1,000 p l u s MERCKLABOFUTCIRY CHEMICALS. UNIVERSAL ORGANIC SOLVENT
DIMETHYLFORMAMIDE M E R C K ,like money, has unusually wide appeal. Its low evaporation rate and ability to lure complex organics into solution have made it popular with all kinds of chromatographers. Feed Chemists on the other hand report Dimethylformamide is frankly indispensable in the determination of NiCarbazin, a new type of drug used to prevent coccidiosis in poultry. Also, protein chemists are intrigued-finding Dimethylformamide with its high dielectric properties dandy as a reaction solvent for amino acids. I n fact, if it’s organic and tough to dissolve, reach for the Dimethylformamide and watch your fingers, Doctor! Skeptics should send for our technical data sheet. PULL-DOWN POWER
This is one for the biology boys. Trichloroacetic Acid’s major claim to fame is its ability to precipitate protein. So if you are looking for albumin in urine or non-protein
nitrogen in blood, here is a chemical respiratory tract, and away from skin. that will give you gobs of protein- Otherwise-BLACK FAT ! loaded precipitates or protein-free filtrates. Of course, if you have other SPECTR.OGRAPHERS’ interests like wanting to decalcify your DEGREASING AGENT mother-in-law, Trichloroacetic is good for that too. For the ultimate in protein pull-down power, just remember to ACIDMERCK specify TRICHLOROACETIC REAGENT. BLACK FAT
This use of Methylene Chloride Spectro Grade will not make a hit with the stockroom guardians but we mention it solely for the romantically inclined, Every so often some histologist or realizing that speed is sometimes of the pathologist gets to wondering if the essence. Of course, what really makes tissue he’s looking at under his micro- this Merck reagent attractive to specscope really contains fat. If doubt per- trographers is its superior transparency sists, a small bit of tissue is dunked in a at wavelengths below 270 mpThis key solution of OSMIUM TETROXIDE MERCK advantage plus solvent properties that REAGENT and the fat comes up black. parallel chloroform without phosgene This proves that the cells contain fat formation, and a b.p. (40°C) lower than and not some artifacts due to poor fix- chloroform makes it obvious why more ing technic. Other familiar uses include and more of yoii are reaching for METHhydroxylating lonesome double bonds Y L E N E CHLORIDEM E R C KSPECTRO and catalyzing certain oxidations with GRADE. ceric sulfate. (A well-known example is speed-up of the balky reaction between IHERCK arsenious acid and ceric SUlfate.)oSMIUM L A B 0 R A T 0 RY TETROXIDE MERCKREAGENTis “the CHEMICALS most,” but keep its vapors out of eyes,
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NEW CHEMICALS is said to be an excellent solvent for chemicals. It is a clear, liquid, nondrying alcohol with a cloud point below 10” F. 22 Hydrocarbon, Sillfur Standards
The American Petroleum Institute has added five nevi standard samples t o its list of 35 organic sulfur standards, and two new hydrocarbons to the 241 previously available. New additions are : Cyclohesyl merczlptan Cyclopentyl memaptan Cyclopentvl methyl sulfide Di-n-propyl disulfide Ethyl-n-propyl sulfide 3,4-Dimethyl-cis-2-pentene Phenylbenaene (Biphenyl) The samples are available in 5-ml. volumes, vacuum sealed in special borosilicate glass ampules with internal “break-off” tip. Purity has been evaluated by freezing point measurements. 23
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Olefin Epoxides
Three novel epoxy compounds being manufactured by Food Machinery & Chemical Corp. we octylene oxide, dodecene oxide, and C16-C18oxide. The new compounds, developed by Becco Chemical Division, will undergo reactions such as pol ymerization, isomerization, reduction, and ring-opening with a variety of active hydrogen compounds. The long-chain cpoxidized olefins are said to be of potential interest in the following applications: reactive solvent and diluent for epoxy resins; intermediate in manufacture of perfumeries, cosmetics, surfactants, plastics, and lubricants; acid scavenger; corrosion inhibitor; stabilizer for chlorinated compounds; monomer; and organic 24 synthesis intermediate. Organic Chemicals
Distillation Products Industries has added 10 chemicals to its line among which is maleo-piriaric acid, a DielsAlder adduct of oiie of the resin acid isomers with maleic anhydride. The compound readily forms a water-soluble sodium salt of high molecular weight. The other chemil:als added are: mbromo-a,a,a-trifluoritolucne; 5-chloro2-hydroxy-4-methylliexanophene;di-nhexyl carbonate ; 1-ethyl-1-1- ( l-naphthyl)-2-thiourea; a-hydroxy-iso-butyric acid; indoline; methyl 2-bromo-n5,6,1l1l2-tetraphenylnaphbutyrate; thacene; and 2 4,7-trinitro-Q-fluore25 none.
Propylene
Commerical quantities of propylene are available from Semet-Solvay, Allied Chemical & Dye Corp. The material is supplied for shipment via tank car and truck from the Tonawanda, New 26 York plant. Corrosion Inhibitor
Baird Chemical Corp. now has available a new vapor pressure corrosion inhibitor called Akrode, manufactured in England by Howards of Ilford. Claimed to be highly volatile and to possess additional throwing power, the product is said to be of particular value in the packaging and storage of machinery, tools, and similar articles made of ferrous metals. The manufacturer recommends its use for indefinite storage of precision equipment which is packed 27 in sealed containers. Carotene
Barnett Laboratories, Inc., is offering natural carotene with vitamin A (either natural or synthetic) in batch-size containers. Company fully guarantees potencies and will manufacture to the specifications of individual customers. 28 Biochemicals
Biochemicals being offered in research quantities by Schwarz Laboratories include five deoxynucleosides, which are particularly interesting for their relationship to deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), a material involved in all reproduction. Also included are inosine; DL-homocysteine thiolactine.HC1; L-cysteine ethyl ester HC1; and N,N’-dicyclo29 hexylcarbodiimide. Rare Earths
Rare earth oxides now are being supplied by Mitten Chemicals, Inc., in experimental and kilogram quantities. Materials of 99.9% purity can be obtained from stock. 30 Acrylic Latex Paint
A new acrylic latex paint, called “Dutch Boy” Nalplex, has been announced by National Lead Co. For use on interior walls and ceilings, Nalplex is said to be odor free and to provide unusually high hiding and a uniform flat finish. It dries in one to two hours to a tough, water-resistant, washable, alkali-resistant film. 31 For further information, see coupon on page 61 A
A N A L Y T I C A L CHEMISTRY
