CHEMICAL NEWS,

Dec. 8, 1911

THE Annual Prize Distribution of this Institute was held on Wednesday, November 29th, when the Chair was taken by Sir OWEN ROBERTS, Chairman of the Governing Body. The Rev. J. F. MARR, Acting Chairman of the Institute Committee, first gave a résumé of the work of the Institute, in which he drew attention to the successful developments in the various departments of work, drawing special attention to the progress that has been made in the instruction given in applied science, particularly in Chemistry and Metallurgy, and also to the very satisfactory record of original contributions to science which have emanated from the laboratories of the Institute.

The CHAIRMAN then called upon Mr. Livingstone Sulman, the President of the Institution of Mining and Metallurgy, to deliver his address and to distribute the prizes.

Mr. SULMAN stated in his opening remarks that, in common with many other business and technical men, he had known the work of the Sir John Cass Technical Institute for a considerable number of years, and was most favourably impressed by the thoroughness and compre hensiveness of the curriculum provided in Chemistry and in Metallurgy, and by the completeness of the equipment of the Institute, not only for teaching but for that equally important branch of modern education, investigation and

research.

Turning to the subject of Metallurgy, Mr. Sulman pointed out that the dominant thought which impressed one to-day was the many sidedness, the increasing scope, and the intense vigour which now marks metallurgical progress. Of late years new conceptions seem to have infused themselves throughout the so-called inorganic sciences, and to have re-animated them, with the result that inorganic chemistry, physics, and mathematics have been imbued with a new vitality. The interaction of associated sciences is now beginning to play its part in the develop ment of metallurgical industries. Certain of the factors of so-called molecular energy find expression in some of the newer processes and phenomena of metallurgy, as shown in the methods adopted to the harnessing of molecular attractions which reside upon the surfaces of solids to the purposes of ore concentration. These methods, which have, for example, completely changed the economic outlook of the great Broken Hill deposits of silver-leadzinc ores, are there used to separate the blende constituent in saleable form from the "tailings" left behind, after the bulk of the lead and silver have been recovered. But they are applicable in general to all sulphide ores, as well as to finely divided metals and non-metals, such as gold, graphite, carbon, diamond, sulphur, and so on, and they are frequently spoken of as "oil processes," from the fact that in several of them oil is used in larger or smaller quantities, usually in smaller. In such processes there are no chemical reactions to speak of; physical forces of previously unsuspected range and power, so far as commercial applications are concerned, have been induced to do the work more easily, and much more economically, the force mainly concerned being what is called "surface energy."

Equally new, and probably of great importance to the metallurgist of the future, are the developments in colloidal chemistry. The plasticity of clays and "ultrasliminess" of "slimes are due to this class of bodies in which inorganic materials ape the reactions of organic; a clay colloid may almost be said to masquerade as a fatty

acid.

Mr. Sulman also referred to the extended application of improved magnetic and electrostatic methods for the separation of dry ores, and to catalytic processes of metallurgical importance.

In addressing the prize-winners in conclusion, Mr. Sulman said that to some the occasion might mark a period only in their studies, whilst to others it may mean the termination of their special courses, and that they would now return to the world of practical work and

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achievement armed with the mental weapons, the intellectual picks and shovels which had been forged for them in this Institute, and in the use of which they had been rendered proficient. Some of them might presently be called upon to attack the boulders and rocks of tough new facts, and would possibly, and indeed probably, find that the present keen edge of some of these implements would become dull and dented and hacked. The pick of hypothesis and the shovel of theory might, perhaps, break in their hands, but he trusted that they would be in no wise dismayed, but would learn to recognise that theories are, after all, but the temporary instruments of research, continually wearing out and heing replaced by others. Such being the case, their work was to forge fresh theories for themselves, better calculated as to shaft and edge, and thus to fulfil their measure of the ever harder work which humanity is called upon unceasingly to achieve.

NOTICES OF BOOKS.

Physical and Chemical Constants and some Mathematical Functions. By G. W. KAYE, B.A. (Cantab.), D.Sc. (Lond.), A.R.C.Sc. (Lond.), and T. H. LABY, B.A. (Cantab.). London: Longmans, Green, and Co. (4s. 6d. net).

THIS valuable collection of Chemical and Physical Constants meets a long felt want. Although moderate both in size and price a surprising amount of valuable information has been collected together and set out in a way that admits of rapid reference. The scope of the work includes General Physics and Astronomy, Heat, Sound, Light, Electricity, Magnetism, Radio-activity, Chemistry, and Mathematical Tables. In some of the sections a brief résumé is given, containing references to such books and original papers as are likely to be of interest. The twelve pages devoted to Ionisation and Radio-activity are especially valuable; it is probably the first time that any attempt has been made to collect such data, and this part of the work will be of very great value to those working upon the subject. The book is convenient in size and thoroughly well indexed, and is just one of those books that once acquired it is difficult to realise how one has been able to get along without it.

Chemical

Subject List of Works on Chemistry in the Library of the Patent Office. Subject List of Works on Technology in the Library of the Patent Office. London: The Patent Office. 1911. (6d. each). THE new series of catalogues to the works in the library of the Patent Office represents an improvement upon the old lists in that, besides full titles, dates, and sizes, information is given as to the exact position in the library shelves in which each book is to be found. The books are arranged in chronological order under specific headings, and in

addition a full key to the classification of headings is provided, so that readers should have no difficulty in finding with the aid of the guide all the information on any given subject which is to be procured from the library.

Physical Society's Annual Exhibition.-This exhibition, which is to be held on Tuesday, the 19th inst., at the Imperial College of Science, South Kensington, will be open in both the afternoon (from 3 to 6 p.m.) and in the evening (from 7 to 10 p.m.). Prof. the Hon. R. J. Strutt, F.R.S., will give a discourse at 4.30, and again at 8 p.m., on" Electric Discharge and the Luminosity which Survives it." Some thirty firms will be exhibiting. We understand that invitations have been given to the Institution of Electrical Engineers, the Faraday Society, the Optical Society, and the Röntgen Society. Admission in all cases will be by ticket only, and therefore Members of the Societies just mentioned (including also the Physical Society) desiring to attend the Exhibition should apply to the Secretary of the Society to which they belong.

CHEMICAL NOTICES FROM SOURCES.

NOTE.-All degrees of temperature are Centigrade unless otherwise expressed.

Comptes Rendus Hebdomadaires des Séances de l'Academie des Sciences. Vol. cliii., No. 17, October 23, 1911. Industrial Manufacture of Pure Nitrogen.-Georges Claude.-In Linde's process for freeing the nitrogen of the air from oxygen air is liquefied and then evaporated, the vapour, ascending a rectifying tower, is washed by a descending stream of liquid air containing 21 per cent of oxygen, and the oxygen in the vapour is thus retained by the liquid. In this way nitrogen containing only 7 per cent of oxygen can be obtained. If this impure nitrogen is compressed to about 4 to 5 atmospheres, dried, and then again liquefied and treated as before, a liquid much less rich in oxygen is obtained, and if a reflex condensing ap; paratus is used 99.6 per cent pure nitrogen can be prepared by progressive condensation and rectification.

Synthesis of New Hydroaromatic Ketones.-G. Darzens and H. Rost.-Hydroaromatic ketones can readily be prepared by the action of an organo-magnesium derivative upon an acid chloride, made by the action of SOCl2 upon the acid. Thus the chloride of tetrahydrobenzoic acid when treated with the magnesium derivative of hexabrombenzene, C6H11. Mg. Br, yields hexahydrobenzoylcyclohexane, C6H11-CO-C6H9. Similarly the authors have obtained n-butyrlcyclohexane, C6H11-CO-C3H7. | Hydroaromatic ketones can be obtained by the same method from the tetra- and hexahydrophenylacetic acids.

Atti della Reale Accademia dei Lincei.

Vol. xx., (II.), No. 7, 1911.

Basicity of Organic Acids containing Alcoholic Hydroxyls. G. Calcagni and L. Bernardini. - The curves of neutralisation of malic, tartaric, and citric acids obtained by titration with caustic potash, using phenolphthaleïn as indicator, have as many points of inflexion as there are carboxyls in the molecule. They pass through a minimum, and then rise suddenly and rapidly to the point of complete neutralisation Beyond this point the curves are parallel to the x-axis. The results so far obtained are not conclusive as to the function of the alcoholic hydroxyl in the oxy-acids, since the formation of a salt can neither be proved nor disproved.

Action of Aldehydes on Pyrrol Derivatives.-U. Colacicchi. The author has prepared the following compounds of aldehydes and pyrrols by the direct union of the constituents:-Formaldehyde and 2.4-dimethyl-3-acetyl, 2. 4-dimethyl-5-acetyl, 2. 4-dimethyl-5-benzoyl-pyrrol, paraldehyde with the same pyrrols; butyl, isobutyl, and heptyl aldehydes with 2.4-dimethyl-5-benzoyl-pyrrol. These derivatives are characterised by having high melting-point, which decreases as the weight of the aldehyde increases; they are further characterised by a yellow colour and by their solubility in concentrated acids.

MISCELLANEOUS.

Royal Institution.-A General Meeting of the Members of the Royal Institution was held on the 4th inst., Sir James Crichton-Browne, Treasurer and Vice-President, in the Chair. Miss Goldsmid, Dr. Habibur Rahman Khan, Dr. W. M. Noott, and Mrs. Middleton Robinson were elected Members. Prof. W. C. Brögger (Christiana), Geh. Rath Prof. T. Curtius (Berlin), Prof. P. A. Guye (Geneva), and Geh. Regiersrung Rath Prof. H. Rubens (Berlin) were elected Honorary Members of the Royal Institution.

The

Titanium. - Arthur Stähler and Fritz Bachran.— Titanium trichloride can be obtained by passing a current of hydrogen and titanium tetrachloride vapour through a silundum tube, heated to about 1100o. When the trichloride is heated to 660-700° in a current of hydrogen tetrachloride, 2TiCl, TiCl2 + TiCl4. The dichloride can be decomposed into the tetrachloride and titanium by heating to 1100°. The authors have prepared double formates of titanium, and ammonium and potassium respectively by adding solutions of the formate of the metal to a solution of TiCl3 in absence of air. The double formates give olive-green solutions in water, and are hydrolytically decomposed at 50°, giving dark blue titanium hydroxide and formic acid. The dry salts are comparatively stable in air, but their solutions are readily decomposed. When some drops of an aqueous solution of titanium trichloride are added to a very dilute solution of gold chloride, an intense violet coloration is produced. Colloidal gold is formed, and adsorbs titanic acid. If the violet solution is boiled a voluminous dark blue precipitate separates. It contains both gold and titanium. The dry precipitate is insoluble in ammonia.-Berichte, xliv., No. 14.

in absence of air it is converted into the dichloride and

Royal Institution.-The following are the lecture arrangements at the Royal Institution, before Easter :Dr. P. Chalmers Mitchell, a Christmas Course of six illustrated lectures on "The Childhood of Animals," adapted to a Juvenile Auditory-(1) Introductory; (2) The Duration of Youth; (3) Colours and Patterns of Young Animals; (4) Young Animals at Home; (5) The Feeding of Young Animals; (6) The Play of Young Animals. Mr. W. Bateson, Fullerian Professor of Physiology, R.I., six lectures on "The Study of Genetics." Prof. E. G. Coker, six lectures on "Optical Determination of Stress and some Applications to Engineering Problems." Dr. T. Rice Holmes, three lectures on "Ancient Britain." Prof. A. W. Bickerton, two lectures on "The New Astronomy." Prof. A. M. Worthington, two experimentally illustrated lectures on "The Phenomena of Splashes." Mr. M. H. Spielmann, two lectures on "The Portraiture of Shakespeare." Mr. F. A. Dixey, two lectures on "Dimorphism_in Butterflies (1) Seasonal Dimorphism; (2) Sexual Dimorphism." The Rev. John Roscoe, two lectures on "The Banyoroa Pastoral People of Uganda-(1) The Milk Customs; (2) Birth and Death Customs." Sir Alexander C. Mackenzie, three lectures on-(1) "Russian Music of To-day" (with the kind assistance of the Hans Wessely Quartet); (2 and 3) "Franz List (Centenary)," with Musical Illustrations. Prof. Sir J. J. Thomson, Professor of Natural Philosophy, R.I., six lectures on Physics." The Friday Evening Meetings will commence on January 19, when Prof. Sir James Dewar will deliver a Discourse on "Heat Problems." Succeeding Discourses will probably be given by Prof. Bertram Hopkinson, Dr. J. Mackenzie Davidson, Dr. J. A. Harker, Rt. Hon. Sir John H. A. MacDonald, Mr. G. K. B. Elphinstone, Dr. W. J. S. Lockyer, Mr. F. Soddy, Prof. D'Arcy W. Thompson, Prof. Sir J. J. Thomson, and other gentlemen.

MEETINGS FOR THE WEEK.

"Molecular

MONDAY, 11th.-Royal Society of Arts, 8. (Cantor Lecture). "The Carbonisation of Coal," by Prof. Vivian B. Lewes. WEDNESDAY, 13th.-Royal Society of Arts, 8. "Continuous Service in Passenger Transportation," by W. Y. Lewis. THURSDAY, 14th.-Royal Society of Arts, 4.30. Fisheries of Bengal," by Dr. J. Travers Jenkins.