The Chemical Age, Vol. 52, No. 1335

\ W eekly Jo-uaai Devoted to liidüStTiai xnâ fîngii<eerui£ Chièmistry

V OL. L I I

No. 13 3 5 SATURDAY, JA N U A R Y 27. 1945

REGISTERED AS A KEWSIAFER

b d . V e r C o p t P o s t f r e e 8 d .

2M M lM

CO. LTD.

A B F O R D H O U S E, W IL T O N R O A D ,

L O N D O N , S.W .I

F O R

A N D

I N T H E

C H E M I C A L I N D U S T R Y B ACKED BY

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ou Know the chameleon will change its colour according to the demands of the surroundings.

But did you know that he can also register changes in temperature ? How useful he would be for regis­

tering temperature changes in an engine under test.

The problem of getting this little magician from Madagascar to sit still on a Rolls-Merliii engine would of course present its difficulties. The Ministry of Supply would hate the idea.

Fortunately, there is something else which will do this job much more effectively — heat sensitive paints. These paints are on the market but their full commercial development is yet to come.

Some heat sensitive paints contain iodine, an element which is playing an increasingly important part in our lives. New uses arc constantly being found for iodine in medicine, agriculture and indus­

try. Its field of application is so large that in 1938 the IO D IN E ED U C A TIO N A L BU R EA U W aS Set U p ill London to collate and distribute the mass of infor­

mation on iodine which bad accumulated in the last 100 years. The services of this bureau are available free to any institution or manufacturer with an

iodine problem.

STEEL DRUMS

T h e se d ru m s a r e w eld ed th r o u g h o u t e n d a re m a n u factu red In la rg e q u a n titie s . T h ey can be su p p lie d p ain te d , gal- vanised o r tin n e d . A lso m an u factu re d In stain less s te e l. C apaci­

ties ran g in g fro m 20 to ISO gallons.

ERED* 8 R ABV & C ° LrP

Iodine Educational Bureau

, B I S H O P S O A T E , L O N D O N , B . C . 2

E verything fo r Safety Everywhere

à G A S M A S K S

Self-Contained

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Short-D lstance Breathing » ■

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f l I

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G ARM ENTS, e tc .

SIEBE, BORMAN & CG. LTD., LONDON

Telegrams: T e le ph on e : Siebe. L am b. London____________ W a te r lo o 6071

THE CHEMICAL A G E Ja n u a r y 27, 1945

Ja n u a r y 27, 1945 THE CHEMICAL AGE i

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A

ii THE CHEMICAL AGE Ja n u a r y 27, 1945

S I L I C A G E L

F or A ir and Gas

KESTNER DOUBLE ABSORBER SILICA GEL DRIER W ITH ELECTRIC REGENERATOR.

W R I T E F O R L E A F L E T 245.

a r e b e in g in c re a sin g ly a p p lie d in th e n u m e ro u s p ro b le m s p r e s e n te d by t h e m o is tu re c o n tr o l o f a ir , g a s e s , and s o l i d s . T h e re a r e m any and v a rie d c o n d itio n s in w h ic h low , o r d e fin ite m o is tu re c o n te n t is n e c e s­

sa ry . K e s tn e r Silica G ei d ry in g p la n ts have p ra c tic a lly u n lim ite d life, as th e Silica G el is easily r e ­ a c tiv a te d . W e sh o u ld b e .p le a se d to pTovide f u r t h e r in fo rm a tio n a n d t o p u t o u r w id e e x p e r ie n c e in th is m a t t e r a t y o u r se rv ic e fo r a n y p ro b le m w h ic h you m ay have.

JKESTNER EV APO RA T O R & ENGINEERING CO. Ltd.

C hem ical Engineers - S, G R O S V E N O R G A R D E N S , L O N D O N , S .W .I

T h e re ’s m oney | in th e a ir

W herever solvents are used m oney til w hether an active carbon recovery plant literally takes to the air as the result M would be a worth-while proposition, our

o f evaporation and in many industrial advisory departm ent can clear the air by plants this wastage can be very serious. supplying you w ith the necessary details.

There isn’t the space here to list all

the industries which can benefit from

SUTCLIFFE, SPEAKMAN

AND COMPANY LTD • LEIGH, LANCASHIRE solvent recovery but, if you use sol- \ \ \ u ,n d o n office^ 66 Victoria street, s.w .i

vents a t all, and are in any doubt T e l,: VIC. 7982-3.

M e lb o u r n e A g e n t s — M e s s r s . H . R. H ill & S o n , P ty , L td ., 350 K in g S t r e e t .

Ja n u a r y 2 7 , 1 9 4 5 THE CHEMICAL AGE iii

IMMERSION HEATING

w ith

V IT R E O S IL H E A T E R S

T h e c o n te n ts o f n o n -m e ta llic a c id -p ro o f ta n k s , e.g . K eeb u sh as illu s tr a te d , can safely be h e a te d by m ean s o f VITREOSIL

e le c tr ic IMM ERSION HEATERS.

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THE THERMAL SYNDICATE LTD.

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r

S team o r P o w e r D riv e n Pum ps. ^ D ry V acuum Pum ps. W e t V acuum ' Pum ps. A ir C o m p re sso rs. S team J e t A ir E je cto rs an d Surface C o n d e n se rs

fo r O p e ra tin g w ith V acuum Pans,

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u i f t D T u i u r T A u . c i M D c n u I T n N E W A R K - O N - T R E N T .

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D ic y c lo h e x v la m in e is a s t r o n g b a s e , b e in g s t r o n g e r th a n A m m o n ia . I t f o r m s s a l ts w ith a ll a c id s a n d f o r m s s o a p s w ith fa tty a c id s .

C O M M E R C IA L Q U A N T IT IE S A V A IL A B L E .

YORKSHIRE TAR DISTILLERS 17

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T E L E G R A M S T O - Y O T A R c l e c k h e a t o n

DICYCLOHEXYLAMINE

THE CHEMICAL AGE Ja n u a r y 27, 1945

WORTHINGTON—SIMPSON

CHEMICAL INDUSTRY

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zo n ta l S p lit C a sin g C e n trifu g a l P um ps a t an im ­ p o r ta n t C h e m ica l W o r k s Iti t h e M idlands. T h e se u n its h a n d le a v a rie ty o f C h e m ica l S o lu tio n s u sed In v ario u s m a n u fa c tu rin g p ro c e sse s.

Ja n u a r y 2 7 , 1945 THE CHEMICAL AGE

/■'m . C h e m i c a l s F o r E v e r y

° u r p o s e

The Research Chemist

T h e in terest aro u sed in th e public m ind by th e achievem ents o f the R esearch C hem ist is based prim arily on the practical value o f his discoveries, b u t th e lay m ind has little u n d erstan d in g o f th e difficul­

ties and the problem s enco u n tered b efo re la b o ra to ry synthesis can be tra n sla te d in to facto ry pro d u ctio n . A fter th e d ra m a tic discovery com es th e generally far m ore difficult task o f m eeting th e d em and occasioned by it, an d such problem s have been accentuated during the last few years by th e w orry o f w artim e scarcities. Patience, resource and u n rem ittin g effort are ju st as necessary in research an d develop­

m en t w ork as th e occasional flash o f in sp iratio n , an d these qualities have helped th e chem ist to deal successfully with th e m any tro u b le ­ som e situ atio n s which the w ar has b ro u g h t.

T h e research w o rk ers o f M ay &

B aker have h ad th eir sh a re o f w ar­

tim e difficulties to overcom e.

W ith o u t th eir efforts m an y o f ou r custom ers w ould have been less satisfied w ith th e service we have been able to give them . Perhaps th e problem s w hich face y o u fall w ithin th e scope o f their experience?

If so, we sh o u ld be pleased to a tte m p t to solve them . T elep h o n e:

Ilford 3060. E xtensions 71 o r 72.

IMa^&BakerLtd

D A G E N H A M

L O N D O N E N G L A N D

M & B In dustrial Chem icals Series (N o . 2 a).

B A I€ E L I T E

o t o n ly b e fo re th is w a r. b u t d u rin g th e w a r 1914-1918 o u r c h e m ists w e r e o n r e se a rc h t o im p ro v e BAKELITE f o r G o v e r n m e n t r e q u ir e ­ m e n ts. F o r so m e y e a rs a f te rw a rd s th e m o s t Im p o rta n t W a r D e p a r tm e n t using B a k elite d e m a n d e d all o f o u r p r o d u c t—

and w o u ld u se n o o th e r .

^ ^ e le n t o u r c h e m ist, “ D o c to r H e ln e m a n ,” t o A m erica. His a ssista n t is still w ith us. W e th e n e n g a g e d , fo r special r e s e a rc h . D o c to r A lfons O s te r s e tz e r , o f V ie n n a (from Italy, w h e r e h e had fled t o e scap e H itle r), and h av e sin c e lo an ed D o c to r O s te r s e t z e r t o t h e C a n ad ian G o v e r n m e n t W a r D e p a r tm e n t fo r special r e se a rc h on B a k e lite V a rn ish e s, an d he has th is last m o n th b e e n lo an ed t o t h e U .S. G o v e rn ­ m e n t fo r t h e sa m e p u rp o s e .

e, A ttw a te r s , h av e alw ays d u rin g t h e 70 y e a rs o f o u r e x is te n c e in b u sin e ss, activ ely w o rk e d t o im p ro v e o u r p ro d u c ts .

Ä TTW Ä TE R

& SONS, LTD.

PRESTON, LÄNCS.

B

THE CHEMICAL AGE Ja n u a r y 2 7 , 1 9 4 5

B A R IU M C A R B O N A T E B A R IU M H Y D R A T E B A R IU M M O N O X I D E B A R IU M N A P H T H E N A T E B A R IU M O L E A T E B A R IU M P E R O X ID E B A R IU M S TE A R A T E B A R IU M S U L P H A T E B A R IU M S U L P H ID E

S O D IU M H Y P O C H L O R IT E S O D IU M S U L P H ID E S O D IU M P E R C A R B O N A T E

T I T A N I U M O X ID E

S O A P S

A L K A L IN E C L E A N E R S H Y D R O G E N P E R O X ID E A M M O N I U M P E R S U L P H A T E B E N Z O Y L P E R O X ID E C A L C IU M P E R O X ID E M A G N E S IU M P E R O X ID E P O T A S S IU M P E R S U L P H A T E U R E A P E R O X ID E

Z I N C P E R O X ID E

S O D IU M A C ID P H O S P H A T E S O D IU M A C ID P Y R O P H O S P H A T E S O D IU M P E R P Y R O P H O S P H A T E S O D IU M P Y R O P H O S P H A T E 1Ć

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B U SIN E SS E N T E R P R IS E A F T E R T H E W AR

Small and m edium - sized businesses in all branches o f industry and trade must have every opportunity o f c o n t r ib u t in g , b y t h e ir enterprise and initiative, towards' the nation’s eco­

nomic well-being after the war. T hey must be given full support in developing British trade at hom e or in overseas markets.

Changes due to war con­

ditions call for a far-sighted policy concerning the financial aid they may need. T h is Bank, through its branch managers, will therefore be prepared to consider enquiries from prom ising undertakings, whether old or new, con­

d u c t e d u n d e r g o o d management. It will base its consideration o f each proposal as m uch upon the prospective borrower’s integrity and business capacity as upon his material resources.

MIDLAND BANK

L I M I T E D

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B. LAPORTE Ltd. L U T O N tirini ; lapot t* Lu too

S H E S S E R V IC E & D E V E L O P M E N T D E P T . IN V IT E E N Q U IR IE S

Ja n u a r y 27, 1945 THE CHEMICAL AGE

A. J. RILEY & SON, ^{L t d .}

BATLEY, YORKS

ROYAL W OR C ESTER

o f Laboratory, Scientific and Technical Porcelain. . . W e are making a supreme effort to m aintain adequate supplies to meet the ever-growing needs of the Laboratories and Research Stations o f w ar-time Britain. . . Supplies can be obtained by a ll r e g i s te r e d L a b o r a t o r y Furnishers.

T H E WORCESTER ROYAL PORCELA IN C O ., L T D .,

W O R C E S T E R .

o r a t o r y

P o r c e la in

~ W e are the largest makers in th e C ountry

T e le g ra m s : " BOILERS. B A T L E Y ." Telephone: 6S7 B ATLE Y (3 lin e s ) ESTABLISHED 1888

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LINED VESSELS T A R, B E N Z O LE & O IL STILLS C O N D E N S E R S , EV A PO RA TO RS

A N D DISTILLING PLANTS MILD STEEL PIPES

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M A K E R S D F T H E B E S T L A B O R A T O R Y P O R C E L A I N

v i i i THE CHEMICAL AGE Ja n u a r y 27, 1945

The N O T T I N G H A M THERMOMETER

= CO . L T D .' ... ... —T V "

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IN D IC A T O R S — W a ll T y p e , P o rta b le , M u lti-p o in t, Panel M o u n tin g .

T H ER M O -C O U PL ES— Base & R are M etals.

RESISTANCE THERM OM ETERS C O M PE N SA T IN G CABLES.

SHEATHS— R e fra c to ry , S te e l, A lloy, e tc . SPARES— W ir e s , E le m e n ts, In su la to rs,

T h e rm o -C o u p le H eads, e tc ., e t c T H E R M O M E T E R S

GLASS STEM DIVIDED— Ranges up t o 550° C. o r 1,000° F.

GLASS IN VAR IO U S METAL FITTINGS—

Pipe T y p e, Jam , V arn ish , M o lten M etal, Q u e n c h in g B ath, B akers, D y ers, Flue G as, e tc .

DIAL V A P O U R PRESSURE — F lexible C a p illary and Rigid S tem P a tte rn s , e tc

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A LARGE USER OF W ATER. . .

a chemical manufacturer

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H ere Is th e rapid supply w a te r filte r yo u have been loo k in g f o r —d esig n e d to su p p ly a larg e and c o n s ta n t flow of PURE w a te r. T h e o u tp u t, d ep e n d in g o n th e a p p l i e d p re ssu re

and th e size o f th e filte r, Is fro m 150 gallons to 12,000 gallons p e r h o u r.

T h ese filte rs a re s t r o n g l y c o n ­ s tru c te d In galvan­

ized Iro n and a re te s te d to 100 lbs. to th e sq u a re Inch.

And th e y — w ith th e filterin g m aterial, e ith e r carb o n o r silica q u a rtz — can be cleaned In a few m in u tes. F o r full In fo rm atio n w rite

BERKEFELD FILTERS

B erkefcld F ilters, L td. (D e p t. 61), S a rd in ia H o u se ,

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Ja n u a r y 2 7 , 1 9 4 5 THE CHEMICAL AGE ix

B A R

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A L L O E

A C T U A L L Y M /

B 1 T O N E S C

A N D

3 A R B 1

O N E

D L U B L E

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R O L L E R F I L M D R I E R S

= ^ = = F L A K E R S A N D C O O L E R S

W e o ffe r ac c u m u la te d e x p e rie n c e o f 50 y e a r s ’ sp e cializatio n .

O U R W O R K S , t h e la rg e st in th e U n ite d K in g d o m d e v o te d e s p e c i­

ally t o D RY IN G M A CH IN ER Y , a re laid o u t and e q u ip p e d w ith t h e la te s t p la n t fo r th is p a rtic u la r p u rp o se .

MANY ST A N D A R D SIZES In clu d ­ ing LA BO RA TO R Y M ODELS.

W e hove te st plan ts on a com m ercial scale always available

R I C H A R D S I M O N & S O N S , L T D .

P H ΠN IX W O R K S , BASFO RD,

NOTTINGHAM

X THE CHEMICAL AGE Ja n u a r y 2 7 , 1 9 4 5

pulsomcter engineering G Vt.,

ttine e lm s Ironworks. R e a d i n g .

I Pulsometer |

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is A c id -p ro o f N o n -p o ro u s U n affe cted by t e m p e r a t u r e ch an g es.

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T e le p h o n e : S L O ane 9282.

D esig n ed t o m e e t in d u stria l r e q u ire m e n ts f o r A ll-B ritish p u m p s o f high efficiency th a t w ill c o m p e te a d v a n ta g e o u sly w ith any C h e m ica l p u m p on t h e w o rld m a rk e t.

S tan d ard sizes co v e r a large ra n g e of p a tte r n s .

The Chemical Age

A Weekly J o u rn a l Devoted to In d u stria l and E ngineering C hem istry

B O U V E I U E H O U S E , 154 F L E E T S T R E E T , L O N D O N , E .C .4

T e le g ra m s: A LLA N G A S F L E E T LO N D O N T e le p h o n e : C E N T R A L 3 2 1 a (10 lines) G L A SG O W : 1 1 6 H ope S tre e t( C e n tra l 3970) B IR M IN G H A M : D a im le r H ouse, P a ra d ise S tr e e t (M idland 0784-3 ) T H E C H E M IC A L A G E offices are closed on S a tu rd a y s in acco rd an ce w ith th e a d o p tio n o i th e fiv e-d ay w eek b y

B enn B ro th e rs L im ited

VOL. H I

No. 1335.

January 27, 1945

A n n u a l S u b sc rip tio n 2 1 s.

O verseas 26s.

Scientific P ub licity—and D D T U

N D E R S T A T E M E N T is a n a tu r a l

B ritis h c h a ra c te ris tic . T h is is a ll v e ry w ell w h en th e h e a re r is, o r can be, p la c e d in fu ll possession of th e fa c ts, as in those c irc u m sta n c e s u n d e rs ta te m e n t a d d s e m p h a s is w h e re a s o v e rs ta te m e n t d e tra c ts fro m th e a rg u m e n t. U n fo rtu n ­ a te ly , th is h a b it o ften re a c ts a g a in s t us as a n atio n ; o th e rs, m o re v o la tile th an o u rs e lv e s, a re p ro n e to ta k e sta te m e n ts an d a c h ie v e m e n ts a t th e ir face v alu e.

If c o u n try X d e v e lo p s se v e ra l w o n ­ d e rfu l new in v e n tio n s in e n g in e e rin g , in c h e m istry o r in g e n e ra l science, and p u b lish e s th e fa c t, w h ereas c o u n try ^ w orks e q u a lly w e ll, b u t b e h in d closed d o o rs, th e w o rld g iv e s th e w hole c re d it to X w ith o u t c o n sid e rin g the m a tte r v ery m uch fa r th e r. In th is w ay X m ay g e t a v e ry h ig h re p u ta tio n th a t m ay or m ay n o t be d eserv ed ,

w h ereas th e r e p u ta ­ tion of Y w ill be v ery low by com ­ p ariso n .

T h e s c i e n t i f i c w o rk e r c a re s n o th in g fo r a ll th is. O th e r scientific m en c o n ­ s u ltin g th e o rig in a l p a p e rs w ill be a b le to decid e fo r th em selv es w ho h a s th e c re d it of th e o r ig in a l d isco v ery irre s p e c tiv e o f an y b e a tin g of the b ig d ru m of p u b lic ity . T h e scientific w o rk e r th e re fo re p ro c e e d s on h is w ay u n w o rrie d by p la u d its b estow ed on

On O ther Pages

Notes and Comments ...

Textile Chemistry

Steam Raising in Industry Progress in Drugs, F ine C hem i­

cals, and Biological Products in 1944, I I ...

East A frican Industries Rubber M em orandum ...

Scotland’s N atural Resources ...

Research in India

Cheese-Melting Salts ...

Parliam entary Topics ...

Fuel Economy Equipm ent Coal-Gas and Crops ...

Personal Notes

General News from 1 Veek to W eek 106 Forthcom ing Events ... 108 B ritish Chemical Prices ... 109

Company News ... 114

New Companies Registered ... 114 Stocks and Shares ... 114

o th e rs a n d w ith o u t c a rin g v e ry m u ch w h a t th e p o p u la r P re s s says. U n fo rtu n ­ a te ly , th e in d u s tr ia lis t a n d th e b u sin ess m a n g e t th e re p e rc u ssio n s, b ecau se th e fo re ig n e r w ill te n d to send h is in q u irie s to c o u n try X a n d to p la c e h is o rd e rs w ith - th a t c o u n try on th e s tre n g th o f a p o ssib ly sp u rio u s re p u ta tio n c re a te d so lely by a fla ir fo r p u b lic ity . M u ch of th e success of G e rm a n y in c h e m ic a ls an d c h e m ic a l e n g in e e rin g h a s a ris e n in th is w ay. It is w ell to p o in t o u t t h a t as a n a tio n w e m u st a d o p t a d iffe re n t a t t i ­ tu d e to w a rd s p u b lic ity .

A n in s ta n c e of th is, w hich c o n cern s o u rs e lv e s a n d A m erica, h a s o c c u rre d in c o n n ectio n w ith th e n ew in s e c tic id e D D T , as is e v id e n t fro m P ro fe sso r H e ilb r o n ’s p a p e r on th e su b je c t to the R o y al S ociety of A rts ( / . R o y . Soc. A r ts , 93, 6;) . T h e c h a ir­

m an , D r. E . F . A rm ­ s tro n g , said : “ T h o se o f u s w ho know a b o u t th ese th in g s a r e a w a re th a t th e d e ­ v e lo p m e n t of D D T is d u e to th e w o rk of a la r g e te a m . I t is r a th e r h a rd to th in k th a t th e c re d it h a s g o n e to A m erica a n d w ill sta y w ith A m erica b e cau se of o u r p o lic y o f secrecy.

I t is v e ry im p o rta n t to p u t on re c o rd h ere a n d now th a t th e w o rk s ta rte d in th is c o u n try a n d h a s g o n e on to a la r g e e x te n t 95

96 96

97 102 102

103 104 104 105 105 105 106

93

THE CHEMICAL AGE Ja n u a r y 27, 1945 h ere. T h e re h a s been c o rd ia l co -o p era­

tio n w ith A m e ric a a n d , of co u rse, th e ir o p p o rtu n ity a n d c a p a c ity fo r p ro d u c tio n is g re a te r th an ou rs. N e v e rth e le ss, a g r e a t d e a l of c re d it b e lo n g s to P ro fe sso r H e ilb ro n a n d th e B ritish te a m .”

M ost of the d e a d lie s t w a r-tim e d iseases a re c a rrie d by in sects. T h e in fe sta tio n of so ld ie rs by in se c ts d u rin g th e la s t w ar is ev en y et a p a in f u l m em o ry to m any now a liv e . T h e ra v a g e s of in sect d iseases c a n , in fa c t, h a v e a decisive effect on th e o u tco m e of a w hole c a m ­ p a ig n a n d e v ery p o ssib le c a re is ta k e n to m a in ta in the h e a lth of th e troops.

C o n se q u e n tly , one of th e first step s to be ta k e n w as to p ro v id e a m p le q u a n titie s of m a te ria ls toxic to m o sq u ito es an d flies. U p to 1942 p y re th ru m an d rote- n o n e w ere th e m ost effective, b u t w ith th e e n try of J a p a n in to th e w a r su p p lie s o f b o th w e re c u t off a t a tim e w hen the to ta l d e m a n d s of th e A llie d n a tio n s w ere in c re a s in g v e ry ra p id ly .

W e w ill le t P ro fe sso r H e ilb ro n ta k e u p th e ta le : “ Im m e d ia te m ean s of im p ro v in g th e serio u s a n d ra p id ly d e te r io r a tin g p o sitio n h a d to be fo u n d a n d , as one of th e step s, a R ese a rc h a n d D e v e lo p m e n t P a n e l w as set u p d u rin g th e w in te r of 1942 in th e M in istry of P ro d u c tio n . . . . O ne of th e first actio n s ta k e n by th e P a n e l w as a n e x a m in a tio n o f th e sy n th e tic in se c tic id e field w hich b ro u g h t w ith in its rev iew th e new in ­ se c tic id e k n o w n now as D D T . I m en tio n th ese fa c ts b e c a u se of th e u n fo rtu n a te a n d q u ite erro n e o u s im p re ss io n , b o th h e re a n d in m an y p a rts of th e E m p ire , th a t B ritis h science h a s la g g e d b eh in d in th e f u n d a m e n ta l w o rk le a d in g to th e d e v e lo p m e n t o f th is im p o rta n t m a te ria l fo r se rv ic e use. T h is h a s a rise n from o u r ow n official re tic e n c e , to g e th e r w ith th e ex te n siv e p u b lic ity w h ich D D T h a s

• re c e iv e d in th e A m erican la y a n d te c h ­ n ical; P re s s .”

T h e in s e c tic id a l p ro p e rtie s of D D T w ere d isco v ered by P a u l M u lle r,- o n e of the c h e m ists of J . R. G eig y , o f B a sle , S w itz e rla n d ; b u t it w as n o t u n til th e R ese a rc h an d D e v e lo p m e n t P a n e l set to w ork th a t its o u ts ta n d in g q u a litie s w ere reco g n ised . T o q u o te P ro fe sso r H e il­

b ro n a g a in : “ I ts g r e a t p o te n tia l im p o r­

ta n c e as a n a rm y in se c tic id e w as first îe v e a le d in th is c o u n try by w o rk c a rrie d o u t in t h e D e p a rtm e n t of E n to m o lo g y , L o n d o n School of H y g ie n e an d T ro p ic a l

M ed icin e, w hich show ed th a t it possessed a p o w erfu l le th a l a c tio n on lice. In a d d itio n . . . . th e P e s t In fe s ta tio n L a b o ra to ry of th e D .S .I .R ., th e D e p a r t­

m e n t of E n to m o lo g y a t th e Im p e ria l C o lle g e , th e A rm y School of H y g ie n e , an d th e re le v a n t re s e a rc h e sta b lish m e n ts of th e M in istry of S u p p ly h a v e a ll co­

o p e ra te d w ith e n th u s ia s m a n d re a lis m in a w ide ra n g e of in v e s tig a tio n s. I t soon b ecam e e v id e n t th a t D D T w as a u n iq u e su b stan ce, w ith p ro p e rtie s im m e a s u ra b ly su p e rio r to those of an y n a tu r a l o r sy n ­ th e tic in secticid e y e t d isc o v e re d , a g a in s t a w id e v a rie ty o f in s e c ts.”

O b v io u sly , a n e x a m in a tio n h a d to be m a d e of th e to x ic ity of D D T to a n im a ls a n d m an a n d m an y o th e r in v e s tig a tio n s co n n ected w ith its u se w e ie n ecessary befo re it c o u ld be e m p lo y ed in th e field.

M an y of th ese w ere c a rrie d o u t in th e U .S .A ., a n d P ro fe sso r H e ilb ro n stressed th a t, in a ll th e e x p lo ra to ry w o rk , close c o n ta c t w as m a in ta in e d w ith o u r A m e ri­

can c o lle a g u e s .”

T h o se w ho w o u ld m ak e th em selv es m o re f u lly a c q u a in te d w ith th e p ro p e r­

ties a n d uses of D D T a re e n jo in e d to c o n su lt P ro fe sso r H e ilb r o n ’s o rig in a l p a p e r, now re p rin te d in th e J o u rn a l o f th e R o y a l S o c ie ty o f A rts . W e a re h e re c o n c e rn e d to p o in t out th a t, ju s t as m an y fo re ig n p ro d u c e rs of c in e m a to g ra p h film s g re a tly o u tsh in e the a v e ra g e B ritis h p ro d u c e r in h a n d lin g su b je c ts th a t re q u ire a b e a tin g of th e b ig d ru m , so do th e p o p u la r scientific w rite rs in th e fo re ig n la y P re s s o u tsh in e th e ir o p p o site n u m b e rs in B rita in . W e h a v e fre q u e n tly re a d fo re ig n a rtic le s w ith in the la s t tw o o r th re e y e a rs w ritte n a b o u t B ritis h d isco v erie s in w h ich the B ritis h d isco v ery is d ism issed in a sen ­ te n c e a n d th e w h o le of th e r e m a in d e r of th e a rtic le is d ev o ted to th e g lo rific a tio n of th e (q u ite su b sid iary ) p a r t p la y e d by th e sc ie n tists of th e fo re ig n c o u n try in qu estio n . I t is p e rh a p s too m u ch to ex p ect w rite rs in th e p o p u la r P re s s to m a k e su re of th e ir fa c ts, b u t w e b e lie v e th a t the B ritis h C o u n cil is su p p o sed to lo o k a fte r th in g s of th is so rt. Is th e B ritis h C o u n cil d o in g its w ork o r is it b e in g h a m p e re d by a re tic e n c e on th e p a r t o f G o v e rn m e n t D e p a rtm e n ts w hich is n o t sh a re d by those of o th e r c o u n trie s ? In th e in te re s ts of o u r own p o sitio n aftei th e w a r th is p ro b le m of p u b lic is in g d is ­ co v ery m u s t be ta c k le d in ea rn e st.

Ja n u a r y 2 7 , 1 9 4 5 THE CHEMICAL AGE 95

N O T E S A N D

A F ilm of S team

G

^{O O D} p la n t-m a n a g e m e n t a n d a sm a ll o u tla y in p ip in g are th e p rim e e ss e n tia ls to w a rd s ste a m econom y in p rocess w orks, a n d g r e a t sa v in g s can be effected in a ll w o rk s th r o u g h o u t the co u n try . T h e se a re th e s tra ig h tfo rw a rd a n d sim p le lesso n s to be le a r n t fro m the M in istry of F u e l’s film “ S te a m ,” w hich w as show n to a se le c t a u d ie n c e of sp e c ia lists a t th e M in istry of In f o rm a ­ tion on M on d ay . T h e F u e l E fficiency D riv e h a d good re s u lts u p to la s t a u tu m n , b u t se v e ra l fa c to rs h a v e com ­ bined to n e u tr a lis e its effects— such as th e im p ro v in g w a r s itu a tio n a n d th e d e te r io r a tin g co al situ a tio n —a n d th e re is a v ery re a l n eed to ste p u p th e efforts to w a rd s efficient a n d eco n o m ical use of fuel if w e a re n o t g o in g to find o u rselv es in a n e x tre m e ly a w k w a rd s itu a tio n b efo re th e w o rst o f th e w in te r is o v er. T h e film , w hich is to b e g e n e ra lly re le a se d on F e b ru a r y 1, sh o u ld p ro v e of g re a t serv ice in th e cause ; a n d steam -u sers sh o u ld ta k e th e o p p o rtu n ity of seein g it.

M r. S. D u g u id ’s r u n n in g c o m m e n ta ry keep s th e b a ll ro llin g n ic e ly , a lth o u g h he h im se lf h a d d e c la re d th a t it w as im ­ p o ssib le to illu s tr a te steam -econom y by th e cin em a. T h e p h o to g ra p h s an d a n im a te d d ia g r a m s a re se lf-e x p la n a to ry an d can s c a rc e ly fa il to s u g g e s t som e m eth o d s of ec o n o m isin g ste a m , e sp eci­

a lly sin ce, as M r. O liv e r L y le to ld us, in a b rie f sp eech a fte r th e d is p la y , th a t he h a s o n ly b een in sid e one factory' w hich w as n o t u s in g m o re th a n tw ice a s m u ch stea m a s w as n ecessary . Som e, in d e e d , a re s till u sin g fo u r tim es as m u ch as n e e d fu l. C o n sid e rin g th a t it is p ra c tic ­ a b le toi re d u c e th e excess o v er thé th e o re tic a l to as little as 40 o r t;o p er c e n t., th e re can be few steam -u sers to w hom th e p re s e n ta tio n of th is film w ill n o t be w o rth w hile.

T he B room as W eapon

D

U R I N G th is w ar, th e p eo p le of th is co u n try h a d to le a r n , a n d learn q u ic k ly , a b o u t a n u m b e r o f new w eap o n s of w ar. W e do n o t re f e r to th e b e a stly p e rv e rsio n s o f science h u rle d acro ss th e S tr a its of D o v e r by th e G e rm a n s ; b u t ra th e r to fo o d , p e tro le u m , a n d o th er e ss e n tia l ra w m a te ria ls w h ich o v e r­

n ig h t b ecam e v ita l m u n itio n s of w ar. -

C O M M E N T S

L a s t'b u t n o t le a s t, in d u s tria l sc ra p m a te ­ ria ls a n d th e ir im p o rta n c e in c re a tin g

“ W e a lth fro m W a s te ” îe c e iv e d u e a tte n tio n in a n In d u s tria l S a lv a g e E x ­ h ib itio n a r r a n g e d a t th e C a rlto n H o te l, L o n d o n , by th e M in istry of S u p p ly . Since In d u s tria l S a lv a g e G ro u p s w ere in itia te d in th e la te a u tu m of 1942, som e 300 of th em , e m b ra c in g a b o u t 10,000 firm s, h a v e b een fo rm ed to/ u tilis e w aste m a te ria ls . W a s te u tilis a tio n , we im a g in e , does n o t com e as a new d is­

co v ery to a n y b o d y co n n ected w ith the ch e m ic a l in d u s try , fo r th e efficient use of b y -p ro d u cts a n d w astes h a s fo r lo n g b een p a r t o f its ro u tin e . Y e t th e re w ere m a n y b ra n c h e s o f in d u s tria l a c tiv ity w here th e co llectio n a n d u tilis a tio n of w aste m a te ria ls w as ig n o re d b e fo re the w ar. W h ile the b ro o m w as n o t u n k n o w n as a w eap o n in o th e r la n d s , it really- m ad e its a p p e a ra n c e in th is is la n d as a re s u lt of th e w ar. W h e th e r th is w as d u e to a n o v e r-g e n e ro u s a ttitu d e on the p a r t of in d u s tria lis ts , o r w h e th e r it w as ju s t th e r e s u lt of th e ir d e sire “ n o t to be b o th e r e d ,” w e do n o t seek to in q u ire . Y et th e econom ic u se of im p o rte d raw m a te ria ls w ill c o n tin u e to be of p a r a ­ m o u n t im p o rta n c e in fu tu re y e a rs as a re s u lt of th e c h a n g e s in th is c o u n tr y ’s b a la n c e s of tra d e a n d p a y m e n t.

Salvage in Action

T

O m e n tio n a few of th e a c h ie v e m e n ts e x h ib ited : m an y uses h a v e been fo u n d fo r sa w d u st, w hich is now e m ­ p lo y ed in th e p ro d u c tio n of p h en o lic p la s tic s an d re s in b o a rd , of b ric k s an d tile s an d in d u s tria l a lc o h o l, as w ell as fo r fu el. L e a th e r sc ra p is now b e in g re c o n s titu te d a n d many_ in g e n i­

ous u ses h a v e b een d isco v ered for p a p e r, in c lu d in g th e m a k in g of n u ts a n d b o lts. W h ile th e c le a n s in g of used lu b r ic a n ts is a w ell-k n o w n p r o ­ cess, th e p ro d u c tio n of h ig h -g ra d e bronze a llo y s fro m sc ra p m e lts , th e u tilis a tio n o f th e c o m p o n e n ts o f ex p en d ed torch b a tte rie s in th e m a n u fa c tu re of in s e c ti­

cid es, th e reco v ery of s ilv e r from old film s, a n d th e re-use o f c e llu lo s e , as w ell as in te re s tin g d e v e lo p m e n ts in th e m a n u ­ fa c tu re o f fo u n d ry core co m p o u n d s, re p re s e n t e x a m p le s of p u re ly w a r-tim e s a lv a g e m eth o d s. I t is u n fo r tu n a te th a t th e M in istry , in its c o m m en d ab le d esire

9 6 THE CHEMICAL AGE Ja n u a r y 2 7 ; 1 9 4 5

to ach ie v e so m e th in g , fo r once, w ith o u t fo rm -fillin g , did n o t th in k it n ecessary to g iv e a p ic tu re of th e q u a n titie s s a l­

v a g e d , of th e p ro d u c ts d e riv e d , a n d of th e m o n e ta ry v a lu e s sav ed . I t seem s th a t a n o p p o rtu n ity w as th u s m issed to c o lle c t d a ta w h ich w o u ld h a v e b e e n u se­

fu l in p u ttin g th is y o u n g in d u s try on a firm fo o tin g a fte r th e w ar. W e w el­

com e the n ew s, h o w ev er, th a t a b e g in ­ n in g h a s b een m ad e.

P a p e r Control

I

T is n o t* o fte n th a t w e feel b o u n d to a p o lo g ise to o u r r e a d e r s ; i t is our p e re n n ia l w ish to g iv e v a lu e fo r m oney, b u t on o ccasio n th is w ish is th w a rte d th ro u g h no f a u lt of o u r ow n. W e feel th a t th e tim e h a s now com e to u tte r a p ro te s t on b e h a lf of th e tra d e a n d te c h ­ n ic a l P re s s, w hich is b e in g su b je c te d to u n ju s t d is c rim in a tio n fro m th e p o in t of view of p a p e r su p p ly . I t is o n ly w ith the g r e a te s t difficulty th a t te c h n ic a l jo u r n a ls in th is c o u n try are a b le to fu lfil th e ir d u ty to th e ir re a d e rs. E a r ly in th e w ar, M r. L y tte lto n , th e n M in iste r of S u p p ly , sta te d th a t he w o u ld m a k e no d istin c tio n a m o n g jo u r n a ls as to th e su p p ly of p a p e r ; th e sam e ru le s w ere to a p p ly to a ll. Y e t w hen i t is re a lis e d th a t o u r re a d e rs h a v e a r ig h t to d e m a n d som e s o rt of p re c is o f th e m ass of b u re a u c ra tic u k a se s th a t e m e rg e fro m o u r m a s te rs ’ re q u isitio n e d ra b b it-w a rre n s, it c a n be q u ic k ly seen th a t th e a p p a r e n t fa irn e ss of th is ru le v a n ish e s in to sm oke. L a st w eek, fo r e x a m p le , we h a d to ex p en d h a lf a p recio u s p a g e on p u b lis h in g a lo n g a n d c o m p lic a te d G o v e rn m e n t r e g u ­ la tio n ; h a d we o m itte d it, som e chem ical t r a d e r m ig h t h a v e becom e w o rse in v o lv e d w ith fo rm s a n d d e p a rtm e n ts th a n he is a lre a d y . W ith ch e m ic a l new s of the first im p o rta n c e c o m in g in fro m a ll sid es, w e c o u ld ill afford th e ro o m ; y e t, w ith ir r ita ti n g c o m p la c e n c y , G o v e rn m e n t d e ­ p a rtm e n ts ta k e th is e x p e n d itu re of space fo r g ra n te d . F o r m an y m o n th s w e h a v e h e ld o u r h a n d , b u t now w e th in k it on ly ju s t to re c o rd th is p ro te st, u n a v a ilin g th o u g h it m a y be, on b e h a lf of th e tra d e a n d te c h n ic a l P ress.

“ Empire P lan et,” the first British vessel to enter Barcelona H arbour since th e begin­

ning of the war, is loading up with 7000 tons of potash supplied by the Unión Española de Explosivos.

T extile Chem istry

■ L e e d s U n iv e r s ity R e f r e s h e r C o u rs e

T

H E D epartm ent «of T extile Industries of Leeds U niversity proposes to give a refresher course in T extile Technology, planned to occupy th ree m onths and in ­ tended for Service men w ith previous tr a in ­ ing in textile technology. The lectures occupy ten hours per week, leaving twenty hours for practical work. I t is hoped th a t, at the end of the course, Service men will be fully acquainted w ith w ar-time developments. The syllabus includes ten lectures on textile chem istry, to be given by P rofessor <L B. Speakinan, who will deal with the chem istry of proteins, w ith re fe r­

ence to the properties of wool and silk, and the synthesis of fibres from proteins of

• milk, peanuts (Ardil) and soya beans. A precise in terp re tatio n of existing processes will be attem pted, and the developm ent of new er ways of making wool unshrinkable, etc., described. T he chem istry of cellulose and its derivatives, w ith reference to m er­

cerising and the production of synthetic fibres, is another im portant subject to be dealt w ith, to be followed by a description of the production, properties, and uses of seaweed rayons. L astly, the chem istry of polym erisation and the form ation of syn­

thetic resins will lead the lecturer into the wide field of plastics.

STEAM R A ISIN G IN INDUSTRY

As a m eans of improving the perform ance of industrial steam -raising plant, and p a r ti­

cularly to obtain more inform ation about the perform ance of Shell-type boilers and th e ir firing equipm ent, a comm ittee has been formed by the B ritish Coal U tilisation R e­

search A ssociation, in co-operation w ith the Fuel Efficiency C om m ittee, to investigate and report upon methods of improving the perform ance of industrial boilers. This comm ittee is under the chairm anship of Mr.

\V. L. Boon, its vice-chairm an is D r. E . S.

G rum ell, and its m em bers are representative of the coal industry, th e Shell B oilerm akers’

A ssociation, th e Stokers’ and F urnace M akers’ Association, and the M inistry of F uel and Pow er. T he comm ittee has draw n up a comprehensive program me of research which is being conducted a t th e Royal A rsenal, Woolwich, and in in stitu ­ tions and industrial plants throughout th e country. A great deal of valuable inform a­

tion is likely to be accum ulated in the carrving-out of th e work w hich w ill have an im portant bearing upon fu tu re design and perform ance.

A programme of the work of the com m it­

tee—officially entitled the R /1 6 Committee

—can be obtained on application to the B .C .U .R .A ., R jekett S treet, London, S .W .6.

Ja n u a r y 2 7 , 1 9 4 5 THE CHEMICAL AGE 97

Progress in D rugs, Fine Chem icals and B iological Products in 1944—II

b y G . C O L M A N G R E E N , B .S c ., F .R .I .C ., A .M .Í.C h e m .E . (iContinued from Th e Ch em ica l Age, January 13 , 19 4 5, p. 57)

I

N B .P . 564,092 K inberg claims a method for preparing substituted benzene- sulphonamido-1: 3 : 4-thiodiazole. The parent substance is normally prepared by the con­

densation of a halogeno-thiodiazole with a suitable p-substituted benzenesulphonamide, or, alternatively, by the condensation of an am ino-substituted thiodiazole and a suitably p-substituted benzenesulpbonhalide. Kinberg, however, condenses the suitably p-substi- tuted benzenesulpbonhalide with the thio- semicarbazonc of an aliphatic aldehyde, the thiosemicarbazone group being subsequently oxidised to the thiodiazole group:—

y , N — N

* Il II

+ H,N.C C .2 - I I

s o2^y s h ^h

N— N.

SOjNH—C C.2 S H , H N— N

> - X < > S Q 2NH c x / c z

The 5-alkyl derivatives of the sulphathio- diazole compound are said to be especially effective in coccal infections, and they lend themselves to solubilisation by complex for­

mation with ammonia and aliphatic amines (B .P. 563,936). These salt-like compounds are capable of forming concentrated aqueous solutions, are neutral in reaction, and cause no irritation . to tissues when injected parenterally; both p H and concentration can be adjusted to give solutions of equiva­

lent p H and igotonicitv w ith body fluids.

These substances are reported to be suffi­

ciently soluble to be easily absorbed from salves, or they can be dissolved in the con­

tinuous phase of an oil-in-water emulsion (B .P. 563,961).

De Laszlo and Banmeyer (B .P. 561,223) state th at, in the usual method of preparing sulph'apyridine, the use of excess acid acceptor in the condensation stage promotes the formation of gummy substances which make isolation difficult. They claim th a t the formation of these gummy substances may be avoided hy the use of an inert diluent such as benzene or toluene, and, particu­

larly, by an aliphatic ketone such as acetone or methylethylketone, good yields being maintained.

B .P . 560,601 applies to the combination of sulphanilamide with a phenol having at least an alkyl or alkoxy substituent. The

condensation follows the classical lines and in one example 2-methoxy-4-aminophenol is used. B utler et al. (B .P. 559,775) claim sulphanilamide derivatives carrying naph- thols with substituents in the 2-position, as, for example, 4- (p-aminobenzencsulphon- amido)-2-allyl-1-naphthol and the anologous naphthoic acid compound (i.e., w ith a c a r­

boxyl group in the 2-position).

B .P . 562,763 claims N4-carboxy-acyl sub­

stituents in sulphanilam ide derivatives. The

■ preparation of both the N4-succinyl- and N‘-phthalyl- derivatives is discussed in this patent, by, for example, heating the car- boxylic acid (or its anhydride or ester) with p-aminobenzenesulphonamidothiazole in an inert reaction medium. The succinyl- dcrivative, sulphasuxidine, has been in use for some tim e, with sulphaguanidine, to combat infection in the lower digestive tract and in abdominal surgery. Tlieir charac­

teristics are lack of bacteriostatic activity in vitro, but satisfactory activity in th e lower bowel where hydrolysis occurs. Poth and Ross have described the efficacy of sulphaphthalidine (phthalylsnlpliathiazolc) which they find to have two to four times the bacteriostatic activity, in the bowel, of the corresponding succinyl compound, and the enhanced effect is ascribed to the greater hydrolysis in situ of the form er compound.

The blood levels attained by the two drugs remain about th e same, indicating th a t neither is likely to have advantage over the other so far as renal complications are con­

cerned.

Contrary to the general view, Scadding (L a n cet, 1944) finds 110 difference between sulphanilamide, sulphapyridine, and gulpha- guanidine- in the treatm ent of m ild bacil- lary dysentery. The main advantage in the use of th e last compound is the alm ost com­

plete absence of side-reactions; whereas the need for a large fluid intake w ith sulpha­

pyridine to avoid renal complications is an undesirable additional load in a dehydrating disease. The author considers th a t sul­

phanilamide has been neglected in the tre a t­

ment of this disease.

S u lp h o n a m id e s an d V it a m in K Barling has pointed out th at, in experi­

m ental animals, the use of highly insoluble sulphonamides used in bacteriostasis in the lower bowel (e.g., sulphasuxidine, sulpha­

guanidine) causes the clotting time of blood to be increased and a reduction in th e growth

98 THE CHEMICAL AGE Ja n u a r y 2 7 , 1 9 4 5

rate of the animal. This is ascribed to the fact th at vitamin K is produced by the intestinal flora, the development of which is inhibited by the sulphonamides. The effects were negatived by the adm inistration of p-aminobenzoic acid or liver extract, while the hypothrombinaimia was corrected by adm inistration of vitam in K. I t is sug­

gested th a t vitam in K (presumably the synthetic analogue would be equally effec­

tive—see last y ear’s survey) should be given during sulphaguanidine or sulpliasuxidine therapy. I t is presumed th a t the same recommendation should be extended to the use of sulphaphthalidine.

E xtending this class of sulphonam ide drug, the Geigy Colour Company (B.P.

663,G21) describe sulphonamide compounds with a guanidine residue attached directly to an arom atic ring system. These com­

pounds- are claimed to have valuable bacteri­

cidal properties. The sulphanilamide deriva­

tive with an ungubstituted p-amino group is, in general, condensed with cyanogen bromide. Special consideration is given to the diphenyl-4: 4'-disulphonamides contain­

ing the sulphapyridine, sulphathiazole and sulphaguanidine residues.

NH--- C --- MH

0 1 0

gu an id in e. NHSO^ SO ^N H .guanidine

A simple method of preparing sulphanilyl guanidine from readily available, relatively cheap starting m aterial has been protected (B .P. 563,766). I t consists principally and preferably in beating the calcium salt of acylsulphanilyl cyananiide w ith an ammonia- yielding gubstance, such as ammonium n itrate or urea, a t such a tem perature that ammonia is liberated but no decomposition of the cyanamide compound occurs. Suit­

able tem peratures are in the region of 200° C., and the time of heating is as short as 10 to 15 minutes.

Roblin et al. in 1940 found 4-(p-amino- benzenesulphonamido)-pyrimidine to be in­

ert ; but substitution of the sulphanilyl group in the 4-position of the pyrimidine group with or without m ethylation of the pyrimi­

dine group in the 4-position gave bacterio­

static compounds of good activity. B .P.

560,345 discloses the finding of polyalkyl pyrimidine derivatives to be superior in activity and well tolerated. F or example, 2 - (p - am inobenzenesulphonamido)-3 : 6-di- m ethyl-pyrim idine and 6-p-aminobenzene- sulphonamido) 2 : 4-dim ethylpyrimidine are Stated to be much more active than hitherto known sulphonamido-pvrimidines. I t is to be noted th a t the - 4 :6-dimethyl-pyrimidine compound was available, under the name

“ sulpham ezathine," for clinical use in this country, and w as referred to by the w riter of these notes last year. F irst synthesised

in U.S.A. in 1941, it was tested clinically in this country and reported upon by M acartney et al. in 1942. The corresponding -4-methyl derivative synthegised by Roblin and co-workers in U.S.A. in 1940, and extensively explored there both clinically and pharmacologically during 1942-43, was avail­

able in this country in 1943 under the name of “ sulpham erazine.” Clinical application of this compound was deferred pending ph ar­

macological exploration, in view of its pos­

session of the methyl group. I t was feared th at by analogy with uleron (4-(4'-amino- benzcnesulphonamido) - benzenesnlphondime- thylamide) and sulphamethylthiazole, m ethy­

lation might lead to peripheral neuritis when the drug was adm inistered to man ; but fears on this score were dissipated. The route used by Roblin in the preparation of these compounds was to prepare formylacetic acid from malic acid and to condense it with guanidine sulphate in foaming sulphuric acid to yield isocytosine. The hydroxy! group cf the latter compound was substituted by chlorine (phosphorous oxychloride). The 4-chloro compound was then catalvtically delialogcnated w ith palladium hydroxide on calcium carbonate to give 2-aminopyrimidine.

This compound is condensed in the usual manner with the appropriate sulphonchloride (see B .P . 559,455 and U .S .P . 2,224.811). An alternative procedure is to condense a sul- phagnanidine with a -1: 3-dikctonc.

Sulphonamido derivatives of pyrimidine compounds are. in te r alia, prepared by a route described in B .P . 557,055. For example, p-nitro-benzene-snlphonyl chloride is condensed with 2-aminopyrimidine in ether to give 2-(p-nitro-sulphonamido)- pyrimidine which may be oxidised by alka­

line perm anganate to the corresponding sul­

phonamido. Polyalkyl-pyrimidine deriva­

tives, such as -4: 6-dimethyl-, may also be prepared in this fashion.

The preparation of sulphanilamido-pyrid- azine is described in B .P . 563,629. Members of this series are stated to show considerable chemotherapeutic activity. The condensa­

tion follows the usual lines.

^ , 0 4 = 0 4 ^

^

_>

O

_'

" — \

_N

3(p-atmnobenzene-sulphonamido)-pyridazine.

A simple test for the detection of sul­

phonamides in urine depends upon a colour reaction between th e arvlamine group in the drug and crude cellulose.

Newspaper is moistened w ith the urine and a small drop of 1 : 4 hydrochloric acid is placed in the centre. The immediate appearance of an orange colour in d i­

cates the presence of sulphonamide.

T he test appears to be specific so far as the norm al range of drugs likely to be

Ja n u a r y 2 7 , 1 9 4 5 THE CHEMICAL AGE 99 adm inistered is concerned. The value of

so rough a test is to help with patients where evidence of previous m edication is unsatisfactory.

The methods available for estim ation of sulphonamides in body fluids were collected in A ppendix No. t of W ar Memorandum No. 10 (“ T he Medical Use of Sulphon­

am ides,” 1943) referred to by the present w riter last year. The most satisfactory method to date was the colorim etric method of B ra tte n .a n d M arshall in which the sul- phonamide is diazotised and coupled with NA- (1 -naphthyl)-ethylenediam ine to give a red colour. Scudo and Ja lin e k claim th a t the sensitivity of the method may be in­

creased by from five to ten times by ex­

tractin g the colour with butanol, thus extending the application of the method to lower ranges of concentration. The method was com plicated by the necessity for removing excess of n itrite by addition of ammonium carbam ate or urea. This operation is avoided in a method devised by Rose and Bevan (Biochem . J ., 1944).

These authors exam ined a large num ber of dye-stuffs interm ediates to find one th a t gave a freely soluble colour with sparingly soluble drugs. Tile coupling component th a t they recommend, which has already been made available to hospitals and which hns the furth er advantage over the B ratten and M arshall reagent th a t it does not form coloured compounds w ith n itrite , is N-/3- sulphato-ethyl-m -toluidine.

N H .CjKj.O .S 0 3H

Before diazotising in the colorim etric method for estim ating sulphonam idos in body fluids, it is necessary to clear the fluid under exam ination of cellular m aterial and p roteins by treatm ent with trichloracetic acid. The question arises as to the am ount of the drug so removed on account of its being bound to the protein. Bell and Roblin (1942) found th at the drug so bound was not bacteriostatieally active. Davis (J. Clin. Invest., 1943) found the drug was bound by plasm a album in but not by globu­

lins or lipoid complexes, and suggested th at the d ru g was bound electrostatically to positively-charged areas on the surface of the protein molecule. T he proportion of drug so bound varies directly w ith the p ro ­ tein content of the plasma and inversely w ith the concentration of the drug. Davis finds the following am ounts of drug bound to protein when th e concentration of the drug in th e plasma am ounts to 10 mg, per 100 m l.: sulphanilam ide 5 per c e n t.; sul- phapyridine, 10 per c e n t.; sulphadiazine, 21 per c e n t.; sulphathiazole, 55 per cent.

Davis suggests th a t there is a relationship

between anionic dissociation a t the pH of the body fluids and relative antibacterial activity, and thus concludes th a t, possibly, only the anionic form is the active form.

In th is last connection K lotz (J .A .C .S ., 1944) believes th a t the simple assumption th a t a sulpha-drug is active only in the anionic form is sufficient to explain the mode of a c tio n , w ithout developing a more elaborate hypothesis. H e dem onstrates th n t the com bination between the anion and an enzyme can be shown m athem ati­

cally to account quantitatively for the known aspects of bacteriostasis, including the antagonism by p-am inobenzoic acid.

Klotz claim s th a t the application of th e law of mass action is comprehensive but emphasises th a t the equations derived by him describe a necessary condition and not a sufficient o n e ; m etanilide, for example, satisfies the condition but is inactive. lie concludes th a t there is probably in ad d i­

tion, therefore, some stru ctu ral factor.

K im ber and D aniels earlier suggested th a t the resonating form of the p-amino group with a separation of charge is a fundam ental factor in the bacterio static activity of the sulphanilam ide-like com­

pounds. Such a correlation has also been attem pted in the am inoacridine group, when A lbert c.t al. {J .C .S ., 1943) showed th a t the high degree of ionisation due to the g reater degree of resonance in the ion than in the unionised base was paralleled by biological activity, the maximum effect being attained w ithin th is group bv 5- am inoacridine. Bell, Bone and Roblin, however, produce argum ents against the application of the hypothesis w ithin the sulphonam ide grouo of drugs (J .A .C .S ., 1944), while Badwell and Klotz contest the theory by finding a vinvlog, 2-(p-amino- phenyl)-ethene-l-sulphonam ide, to be in ­ active in vitro.

= c h . s o2n h 2,

Woods first observed the antagonism be­

tween sulphanilam ide and p-aminobenzoic acid which led to the explanation of the mechanism of the action of sulpha-drugs along the lines th a t p-am inobenzoic acid is an essential m etabolite w ith which sulph­

anilam ide competes for a substrate. In

“the m eantim e a num ber of compounds have been found which antagonise the b acterio ­ static action of the sulpha-drugs, but which are unrelated to p-am inobenzoic acid.

Mention has been made of di-methionine, adenine, guanine, and liypoxanthin, and more recently (N ature, 1944, 3916) of 2- aminopyrimidine-5-carboxvlic acid. T he de­

gree of antagonism exhibited by these com­

pounds varies w ith th e conditions and the test organism . Domagk throws fu rth er