Education in analytical chemistry in the U.S.S.R.

Analytical Chemistry is taught at over 600 schools of higher education in the U.S.S.R. Contents of general and special courses are described in this article. The main problems and objectives of education at universities are mentioned.     

George Martine,M.D., F.R.S. (1700–1741) an early thermal analyst?

A study of the life and work of George Martine, who seems to have been the first to have used the principle of differential thermal analysis, reveals that his stature scientifically (and perhaps medically) has not as yet been fully appreciated. A complete bibliography of his writings is appended.

---

Zusammenfassung Durch das Studium von Leben und Werk von George Martine, der augenscheinlich der erste Anwender der Prinzipien der Differentialthermoanalyse war, wird offenkundig, daß sein Wesen bisher wissenschaftlich (und möglicherweise auch medizinisch) nicht gebührend gewürdigt wurde. Eine komplette Bibliographie seiner Schriften ist beigelegt.

---

. , , , , , ( ) . .

---

---

The author expresses his sincere gratitude to Mr R. N. Smart of the University of St. Andrews Library, Mr A. J. Clark, Deputy Librarian of the Royal Society, Mrs. J. Currie and Ms. J. Archibald of Edinburgh University Library, Dr. H. MacDonald of the National Library of Scotland, Ms. J. A. Beavan of Aberdeen University Library and all those contacted regarding the existence of a portrait of George Martine for their information and assistance, without which this article could not have been compiled.     

Determination of the vibration amplitude of thickness shear modes using white beam stroboscopic topography at E.S.R.F.

A new topographic method allows a direct mapping of the amplitude of the vibration modes of piezoelectric devices. With this method it is possible to measure the amplitude of the vibration of a thickness shear mode at each point of an AT cut quartz resonator. The principle of this method is based on the use of stroboscopic section topography obtained from the white beam delivered by a third generation synchrotron soure at ESRF.     

Total synthesis of (4R,5S,6E,14S)- and (4R,5S,6E,14R)-cystothiazoles F

Total synthesis of (4R,5S,6E,14S)- and (4R,5S,6E,14R)-cystothiazoles F 3 was achieved from the chiral bithiazole-type primary alcohols [(S)- and (R)-4-ethoxycarbonyl-2′-(1-hydroxymethylethyl)-2,4′-bithiazoles 8], which were obtained based on the enzymatic resolution of racemic alcohol 8 and its acetate 9. From a direct comparison by means of chiral HPLC between natural cystothiazole F 3 and synthetic compounds [(4R,5S,6E,14S)- and (4R,5S,6E,14R)-cystothiazoles 3], natural cystothiazole F 3 was found to be a 33:67 diastereomeric mixture [(4R,5S,6E,14S)-3:(4R,5S,6E,14R)-3 = 33:67].     

The acid-base properties of solochrome violet R. S.

Summary The acid base properties of solochrome violet R.S. has been studied with the object of testing its use as an acid base indicator or as a colorimetric reagent. The pk values of 4.35, 7.4, and 9.45 corresponding to the three steps of ionisation of the free acid were evaluated by the aid of the relation between log (acid)/(salt) and ph values obtained during the course of the potentiometric titration of the free acid with a free base. The dye has proved to be a suitable indicator in titrating some mineral and organic acids as well as a colorimetric reagent for the microdetermination of vanadium.