- Email: [email protected]
The use of bromine in analytical chemistry
84
Editorial.
of Berlin the fact that it is perfectly feasible to obtain all the characterlstic sulphide precipitations usually obtwined in the wet way, by simply mixing the metallic compound to be tested with powdered. hyposulphite of soda, and bringing the same upon a borax bead into the reducing portion of a blow-plpe flame. In order to avoid the difficultly resulting from the ready volatility of certain compounds~ like tl~iose of mercury and arsenic, and the ambiguous colors of others, the author recommends the mixture to be placed in a small glass tube, and to be heated therein. After the reaction, which can readily be followed by the smell of the sulphuretted hydrogen evolved, the fused mass will possess the sulphide colorations most clearly. It is also recommended that the hyposulpbitc be made anhydrous before use.
The Use of Bromine in A n a l y t i c a l Chemistry.--In a former number of the Journal~ we took occasion to notice the recommendation of Mr. K~immerer~ who placed a very high value upon bromine as a substitute for chlorine in analysis. Since that tim% to judge from several publications upon the subject, it appears to be steadily growing in favor with chemists. Mr. P. Waage* is the last of the writers on the subject, and, as the result of his experiments, declares bromine (in aqueous or hydrochloric acid solution) to be in every respect more suitable as an oxidizing agent than either nitric acid~ chlorate of potassa and hydrochloric acid, or chlorine. Each of the lastnamed reagents, while possessing certain advantages, have certain drawbacks which place a limit to their usefulness. :Nitric acid, the usual oxidizing agent, will only be of service when concentrated, and. when in this state cannot be used in platinum vessels on account o f the small quantities of chlorine which it generally contains, and must~ be kept from contact with organic matter like filter paper, if subsequent precipitations are to be made. Chlorate of potassa will only act when in presence of somewhat concentrated hydrochloric acid~ and a difficulty is always experienced in drawing out the last portions of chlorine, which necessitates at times repeated addition of hydrochloric acid. ']:he use of chlorine is attended with the objection o f the arrangement of an apparatus for every oxidation, and the f a c t that only a small quantity of the gas can be dissolved in water~ ren-i dering the employment of much liquid necessary. Bromine, however~ seems te be free from these drawbacks, and hence to be deserving oF ' a place as a standard oxidizing reagent in the analytical laboratory. Chem. News, xxv, 282.
]te~ns and Novelties.
85
The author recommends its employment, either pure or as bromine water (which can be obtained with two t o t h r e e per cent. of bromiue)i or in hydrochloric acid solution, co~taining about 18 per cent. of bromine. The color of the element is a good indicator by which excess may be avoided~ and its low boiling point permits it to be driven off with little difficulty. Bromine water is without action on platinum (except in presence of nitric acid), and is without action on filter paper. As an agent for tile oxidation of sulphur, sulphydric acid and metallic sulphides, as in the solution of iron or copper pyrites~ mispickel~ and precipitated sulphides, the opinions of those who have worked with it~ express nothing but the most complete satisfaction.
A Circular for Furnace Makers and others.--We have been requested to give publicity t() the following circular : NEw Yoa~, 119 E. 12th St., June~ 1872. DF~xa S~R :--Having the intention to publish a book on American invention~ for heating apartments and dwellings~ viz.: stoves, hot air furnaces, hot water apparatus, steam heaters and radiators, you would oblige me by sending me at your earliest convenience illustrations with specific descriptions of your stoves, furnaces or other contrivances. Representations of all the various inventions will, of course, be given, but,, as they will have to be executed uniformly, I beg to dispense for the present with the sending of any wood.cuts or electrotypes. In order that you may be able to insert the latest improvements you may bring out, I will notify you when the manuscript is ready to be sent to press. Relying upon your kind concurrence in this matter, and assuring you of my best attention to your communications, I remain very respectfully, ADOLrH OTr. A new work, giving to the manufacturer and the public descriptions of the latest improvements in this branch of industry~ would be very desirable as wcll as useful. Mr. Oft is well known in scientific circles as an investigator and frequent contributor to various scientific journals, and believing that the work he proposes to undertake will be ~-ell done if done at all, we cheerfully call attention to his circular.
The Steam Jet for Exhausting Air, &C.~In our last issue a brief description was given of a paper read before one of the English Mechanical A-ssociations, by Mr. Siemens, describing a new form of steam jet, ~vhich the author claimed to be the most suitable for practical application in the arts. Several such p.ossible appliea. tions ~ere suggested in the paper, and referred to in our notice, viz,~ in the exhaustion of the pneumatic dispatch tubes for transmitting
Editorial.
of Berlin the fact that it is perfectly feasible to obtain all the characterlstic sulphide precipitations usually obtwined in the wet way, by simply mixing the metallic compound to be tested with powdered. hyposulphite of soda, and bringing the same upon a borax bead into the reducing portion of a blow-plpe flame. In order to avoid the difficultly resulting from the ready volatility of certain compounds~ like tl~iose of mercury and arsenic, and the ambiguous colors of others, the author recommends the mixture to be placed in a small glass tube, and to be heated therein. After the reaction, which can readily be followed by the smell of the sulphuretted hydrogen evolved, the fused mass will possess the sulphide colorations most clearly. It is also recommended that the hyposulpbitc be made anhydrous before use.
The Use of Bromine in A n a l y t i c a l Chemistry.--In a former number of the Journal~ we took occasion to notice the recommendation of Mr. K~immerer~ who placed a very high value upon bromine as a substitute for chlorine in analysis. Since that tim% to judge from several publications upon the subject, it appears to be steadily growing in favor with chemists. Mr. P. Waage* is the last of the writers on the subject, and, as the result of his experiments, declares bromine (in aqueous or hydrochloric acid solution) to be in every respect more suitable as an oxidizing agent than either nitric acid~ chlorate of potassa and hydrochloric acid, or chlorine. Each of the lastnamed reagents, while possessing certain advantages, have certain drawbacks which place a limit to their usefulness. :Nitric acid, the usual oxidizing agent, will only be of service when concentrated, and. when in this state cannot be used in platinum vessels on account o f the small quantities of chlorine which it generally contains, and must~ be kept from contact with organic matter like filter paper, if subsequent precipitations are to be made. Chlorate of potassa will only act when in presence of somewhat concentrated hydrochloric acid~ and a difficulty is always experienced in drawing out the last portions of chlorine, which necessitates at times repeated addition of hydrochloric acid. ']:he use of chlorine is attended with the objection o f the arrangement of an apparatus for every oxidation, and the f a c t that only a small quantity of the gas can be dissolved in water~ ren-i dering the employment of much liquid necessary. Bromine, however~ seems te be free from these drawbacks, and hence to be deserving oF ' a place as a standard oxidizing reagent in the analytical laboratory. Chem. News, xxv, 282.
]te~ns and Novelties.
85
The author recommends its employment, either pure or as bromine water (which can be obtained with two t o t h r e e per cent. of bromiue)i or in hydrochloric acid solution, co~taining about 18 per cent. of bromine. The color of the element is a good indicator by which excess may be avoided~ and its low boiling point permits it to be driven off with little difficulty. Bromine water is without action on platinum (except in presence of nitric acid), and is without action on filter paper. As an agent for tile oxidation of sulphur, sulphydric acid and metallic sulphides, as in the solution of iron or copper pyrites~ mispickel~ and precipitated sulphides, the opinions of those who have worked with it~ express nothing but the most complete satisfaction.
A Circular for Furnace Makers and others.--We have been requested to give publicity t() the following circular : NEw Yoa~, 119 E. 12th St., June~ 1872. DF~xa S~R :--Having the intention to publish a book on American invention~ for heating apartments and dwellings~ viz.: stoves, hot air furnaces, hot water apparatus, steam heaters and radiators, you would oblige me by sending me at your earliest convenience illustrations with specific descriptions of your stoves, furnaces or other contrivances. Representations of all the various inventions will, of course, be given, but,, as they will have to be executed uniformly, I beg to dispense for the present with the sending of any wood.cuts or electrotypes. In order that you may be able to insert the latest improvements you may bring out, I will notify you when the manuscript is ready to be sent to press. Relying upon your kind concurrence in this matter, and assuring you of my best attention to your communications, I remain very respectfully, ADOLrH OTr. A new work, giving to the manufacturer and the public descriptions of the latest improvements in this branch of industry~ would be very desirable as wcll as useful. Mr. Oft is well known in scientific circles as an investigator and frequent contributor to various scientific journals, and believing that the work he proposes to undertake will be ~-ell done if done at all, we cheerfully call attention to his circular.
The Steam Jet for Exhausting Air, &C.~In our last issue a brief description was given of a paper read before one of the English Mechanical A-ssociations, by Mr. Siemens, describing a new form of steam jet, ~vhich the author claimed to be the most suitable for practical application in the arts. Several such p.ossible appliea. tions ~ere suggested in the paper, and referred to in our notice, viz,~ in the exhaustion of the pneumatic dispatch tubes for transmitting