Abstract
LONDON. Chemical Society, November 1.—Prof R. Meldola, F.R.S., president, in the chair.—A development of the atomic theory, which correlates chemical and crystalline structure and leads to a demonstration of the nature of valency: W. Barlow and W. J. Pope. The authors represent atoms in the combined state by “spheres of influence.” An examination of the geometrical properties of closely-packed assemblages of spheres shows that the atoms of the elements must be represented by spheres of influence directly proportional in volume to their fundamental valencies, and that a closely-packed assemblage built up of spheres of the appropriate sizes, so as to represent some particular compound, can be partitioned into units identical with the chemical molecule, and possesses symmetry and dimensions compatible with those of the crystalline substance. In addition, it is shown that close-packed homogeneous assemblages of spheres possess other properties which lead to simple interpretations of multivalency and tautomerism, and that ethylenic and acetylenic bonds and isomerism have complete analogues in peculiarities of homogeneous assemblages of spheres.—Synthesis of carvestrene. Preliminary notice: W. H. Perkin, jun., and G. Tattersall.—Some derivatives of catechol, pyrogallol, benzophenone, and of some substances allied to the natural colouring matters: W. H. Perkin, jun., and C. Weizmann. This communication contains descriptions of the preparation and properties of a number of new substances obtained at different times in connection with researches on the constitution of brazilin, hmmatoxylin, and other natural colouring matters—Experiments on the synthesis of the terpenes, part ix., the preparation of cyclopentanone-4-carboxylic acid and of cyclohexanone-4- carboxylic acid (δ-ketohexahydrobenzoic acid): F. W. Kay and W. H. Perkin, jun.—The hydrolysis of “nitro-cellulose” and “nitroglycerine”: O. Silberrad and R. C. Farmer. The hydrolysis is complicated by the simultaneous reduction of the nitric acid, and intermediate products are formed, which are gradually acted upon by the alkali; these are practically insoluble in water, and do not give rise to free acid when left in contact with water for several days.—The acidic constants of some ureides and uric acid derivatives: J. K. Wood. In compounds which contain the grouping.CO.NH.CO.NH.CO., there appears to be a mutual reinforcement of the imino-groups by the carbonyl groups present analogous to that exhibited by the carboxyl groups in succinic acid.—The affinity constants of xanthine and its methyl derivatives: J. K. Wood. The results of determinations of the basic and acidic constants of xanthine, 7-methylxanthine, the three isomeric dimethylxanthines, and caffeine are described.—The explosive combustion of hydrocarbons, ii.: W. A. Bone, J. Drugman, and G. W. Andrew. The “inflammation” of mixtures of ethane or ethylene and oxygen has been studied. In each case, steam, aldehydes, ethylene, and acetylene are prominent during the initial stages of combustion, whilst carbon is a later product.—Contributions to the theory of solutions, i., the nature of the molecular arrangement in aqueous mixtures of the lower alcohols and acids of the paraffin series; ii., molecular complexity in the liquid state; iii., theory of the intermiscibility of liquids: J. Holmes.—The relation between natural and synthetical glyceryl-phosphoric acids, part ii.: F. Tutin and A. C. O. Hann. It is concluded from the results obtained that the natural and synthetical glyceryl-phosphoric acids are differently constituted mixtures of the α and β acids.—Thiocarbonic acid and some of its salts: Miss I. G. O'Donoghue and Miss Z. Kahan. The acid has the formula H2CS3. The salts are very unstable even in a vacuum.—Studies in optical superposition, part ii.: T. S. Patterson and J. Kaye. The optical properties of di-l-menthyl-l-tartrate, di-l-menthyl diacetyl-l-tartrate, and sodium l-menthyl l-tartrate have been examined.—Optically active dihydrophthalic acid: A. Neville. When the hydrogen stryëhnine salt of trans-Δ3:5-dihydrophthalic acid is fractionally crystallised from alcohol, the acid is resolved into its laevo- and dextro-isomerides, which are described.
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Societies and Academies . Nature 75, 94–96 (1906). https://doi.org/10.1038/075094a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/075094a0