NEWS able t o detect and estimate nerve gases Sarin and T a b u n colorimetrically. How ever, they claim t h a t the Schoenemann reaction is the most specific for analyz ing field samples, b u t other factors— type, exposure, and stability of absorb ent—must be considered. G. M . Foley, Leeds & N o r t h r u p , dis cussed the significance of nerve gases which give little or no sensory warning of their presence. I n the Schoenemann reaction, the indole in alkaline peroxide solution reacts with nerve gas t o form indoxyl, a fluorescent compound. These reaction products arc passed into a pho tometer where increase of fluorescence due to indoxyl is measured. Several types of photocell instru ments have been used by other workers.
C. O. Badgett, Leeds & N o r t h r u p , used this same principle t o study fluorescence dynamics, in which procedure the qui nine sulfate solution is outlined for such measurements in the fluorescence cell. D. N . K r a m e r and coworkers derived the amine-peroxide reaction (Schoene mann) used in detection of q u a n t i t a t i v e analysis of nerve gases. B a t e of color formation in this reaction was studied b y use of acetones, ketones, aldehydes, alcohols, and ethers, and spectral d a t a were presented for the role of acetone. A m e t h o d for identifying organic constituents in polluted air was devel oped by J. F . T h o m a s and coworkers a t the University of California. W h e t h e r the organics are present as gases or aerosols depends on ambient tempera
ture. Removal is effected b y filtration or trapping. Separation of compounds is b y ether extraction. Most of t h e m fall into two categories: inerts (hydro carbons) and compounds with acidic properties. Microtechniques are used to separate them into classes, then chromatographic techniques t o separate the inert compounds. Various types of equipment h a v e been developed for analyzing t h e composition of constituents in air. J . Gwirtsman and coworkers a t t h e Boyce T h o m p s o n I n s t i t u t e developed a conical-shaped a b sorber for absorbing fluorides from air passed through the absorbing solution and t h e n into a steam-distilling appara tus which completed the procedure without transferring the sample—thus reducing t h e possible losses or contami nation. T h e final end point determina tion uses a photoelectric filter photome ter. A new continuous potentiometric in strument for determination of hydrogen sulfide and hydrogen cyanide in air plant process streams was described b y J. P . Strange, Mine Safety Appliances. T h e
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N e w Analytical Division Officers were announced for the Division o f Analytical Chemistry a t the Atlantic City meeting of the ACS. John H. Yoe, University of Virginia (right), who was recipient of the Fisher Award at the Atlantic City meeting, is the new chairman-elect; R. P. Chapman, American Cyanamid Co. (left), is chairman of the division; Warren W . Brandt, Purdue University, was r e elected secretary-treasurer
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AKRON 9, OHIO For further information, circle number 24 A on Readers' Service Card, page 79 A
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gas is removed from t h e sample by a n alkaline liquid absorbent and placed in a potentiometric cell containing a silver electrode and a saturated calomel reference. B y adjusting flow rates, measurem e n t s are m a d e by deflection for concentrations ranging from 4 parts per billion to 50 p.p.m. or higher. Of special interest is the use" of detector crayons for detecting a n d estimating semiquantitatively trace a m o u n t s of gases in the atmosphere. These crayons, described b y Arnold Prostak, A r m y Chemical Corps, change color i n t h e ANALYTICAL
CHEMISTRY
