Io6 CARNEGIE INSTITUTION OF WASHINGTON. 



Moses Qomberg and Lee H. Cone, Ann Arbor, Mich. Grants Nos. 

 78 and 153. For study of t}iphc7iylmethyl and atialogous com- 

 pounds. $500. 



Abstract of Report. — Work under this grant was begun in October, 

 1903. A study of the physical properties of triphenylmethyl was 

 first taken up. Since the compound is very readily attacked by 

 the oxygen of the air, several pieces of special apparatus had to be 

 devised for carrying on this work. By their use it was possible to 

 determine upon pure samples the following constants of triphenyl- 

 methyl : The .solubilities, the melting point, the molecular weight in 

 several different solvents, and the electrical conductivity when dis- 

 solved in liquid sulphur dioxide. The results obtained were pub- 

 lished in the Berichte d. deut. chem. Ges., vol. 37, pp. 2033-2051. 



As an introduction to the study of the derivatives of triphenyl- 

 methyl with oxygen compounds, such as ethers, aldehydes, etc., the 

 effect of oxygen itself upon the hydrocarbon was first fully investi- 

 gated. The behavior of the peroxide so formed toward a number of 

 diiTerent reagents was also worked out. The results of this work, 

 together with a short preliminarj' notice as to the effect of sunlight 

 upon triphenylmethyl and its analogues, is now ready for publication. 



The determination of the energy relations between hexaphenyl- 

 ethane and triphenylmethyl is of special interest. M. Jules Schmid- 

 lin, in the laboratory of M. Berthelot, has kindly offered to make the 

 requisite thermocheraical measurements. Pure samples of the com- 

 pounds to be investigated have been prepared here and sent to him, 

 and the work of making the measurements is now in progress. 

 Other problems have arisen in connection with the work. They 

 relate largely to the improvement of old and the development of new 

 methods for the preparation of compounds of the type of triphenyl- 

 chlormethane, such as halogen- and nitro-substituted derivatives. 

 This part of the work has not yet been completed. 



H. C. Jones, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Md. Grant 

 No. 180. For investigations in physical chemistry. (First report 

 is in Year Book No. 2, p. xxx.) $1,000. 



Abstract of Report. — The investigation was carried out with the 

 assistance of Dr. F. H. Getman, Carnegie Research Assistant. 



During the past year a study of about eighty electrolytes and a 

 dozen non-electrolytes with respect to their power to lower the 

 freezing-point of water has been made. A dozen or more solutions 

 of every one of these substances, varying in concentration from two or 



