CARBON: ITS MOLECULAR STRUCTURE 

 AND MODE OF OXIDATION 1 



By MAURICE COPISAROW, M.Sc. 

 Dalton Scholar, Manchester University 



As it often happens in the sphere of ideas, the conception ot 

 the mode of oxidation of carbon has passed through several 

 stages of development, gradually expanding with the accumu- 

 lation of observations and experimental evidence. 



During the last few decades the reduction theory of Lang 

 (Zeit. Phys. Chemie, 1888, 2, 62) has been replaced by that of 

 gradual oxidation by Baker (Phil. Trans. 1888, A 179, 571) and 

 Dixon (J.C.S. 1896, 69, 774; 1899, 75, 630), which in its turn is 

 being substituted by the theory of complexes propounded by 

 Rhead and Wheeler (J.C.S. 1910, 97, 2181 ; 191 1, 99, 1140; 1913, 

 103, 461). 



After careful consideration we find that none of these theories 

 is either absolutely wrong or a complete representation of the 

 actual reaction in all its stages. Considering the reaction in 

 its complete form we find that the three proposed theories rather 

 supplement than replace one another in solving the problem 

 of oxidation ; each of them represents a more or less partial 

 view of the phenomenon, the true explanation of which will 

 require the correlation of these theories with one another and 

 all the facts known up to now considered from a logical stand- 

 point. In making this attempt we shall postulate the following 

 three fundamental assumptions as a basis : 



i. A carbon molecule is polyatomic. 



(This is suggested by its high volatilisation-point and 

 products of moist oxidation.) 



ii. A carbon atom is potentially always tetravalent. 



(Gomberg's work on triphenylmethyl and Nefs on poly- 



1 This paper (in a less developed form) has been read before the Manchester 

 Literary and Philosophical Society, Memoirs and Proceedings^ vol. 58, p. ii, 10, 

 1914. 



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