Section III., 1908. [ 243 ] Trans. R. S. C. 



XXI — Researches in Physical Chemistry carried out in the University of 

 Toronto' during the past year. 



Communicated by Professor W. Lash Miller. 



(Read May 27, 1908.) 



1. H. C. Cooke : — The condensation of oxalic and acetic esters by sodium 



ethylate. The study of the effects of conditions on the red colouration 

 given by ferric chloride with the condensation product has been con- 

 tinued, and a number of measurements of the rate of condensation 

 have been made. 



2. S. DusHMAN : — The behaviour of copper as anode in solutions of chlorides 



(read before the American Electrochemical Society). The experi- 

 ments are in quantitative accord with the hypothesis that at the anode 

 there is chemical equilibrium between metallic copper and the cuprous 

 and cupric salts in solution. 



3. R. A. GoETNER : — The kinetics of the reaction between chromic and hydriodic 



■ acids and ferrous salts. Miss Benson's experiments at high temper- 

 atures were extended ; while increase of temperature retards the liber- 

 ation of iodine, it accelerates the oxidation of the ferrous salt. 

 Fluorides, bromides and chlorides retard the rate of liberation of 

 iodine in the order named, they acceleraite the oxidation of the ferrous 

 salt. The effect of ' ageing ' on the ferric salt is altogether aue to 

 hydrolysis. In some of the experiments hydrochloric acid was 

 substituted for sulphuric. (Published in The Journal of Physical 

 Chemistry ) . 



4. H. C. Gbaham : — Direct determination of the transport number of acetic 



acid. Mr. Dawson's experiments were continued ; an attempt was 

 made to eliminate the effect of diffusion by choosing the concentrations 

 of chromic acid and copper acetate, so tha^t the acetic acid generated 

 at the two boundaries might have the same concentration. 



5. R. J. Manning: — Physico-chemical study of Tannin. The solutions in 



water show a well marked rise in boiling point over that of pure water 

 even before hydrolysis into dextrose and gallic acid takes place. They 

 show no Tyndall effect, and give measurable osmotic pressures with 

 gelatine membranes. The distribution of tannin between water and 

 ether, water and ethylaoetate, and water and amylalcohol was de- 

 termined ; in the case of ether the ratio is independent of the concen- 

 trations. As a result of these measurements tannin can hardly longer 

 be considered to be a colloid. 



The marked effect of traces of water 'on the solubility of tannin 

 and of other glucosides in organic solvents was also studied. 



6. W. Lash Milleb: — Indirect analysis by means of the dilatometer. A 



method of determining the composition of one of the phases at a 

 transition point, without isolating or analysing it. (Published in 

 The Journal of Physical Chemistry.) 



Sec. HI., 1908. 16. 



