FREE INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE 



103 



CATALYSIS IN THE INORGANIC FIELD 



One-half of the cyanate is now heated with water, which converts it 

 into ammonia long before the boiling point is reached, according to the equa- 

 tion, 



NaCNO -f 2H2O -^ NaHCOs + NH3. 



The sodium acid carbonate is thrown back into the process, and the ammonia 



later converted into urea as follows : 



The other half of the sodium cyanate is added to water and the ammonia 



passed in. Then carbon dioxid from the cyanizing furnaces is also passed into 



the liquid. The change is represented by 



urea 

 NaCNO + NH3 -I- H2O -I- CO2 -^ NaHCOg + NH4CN0(= CO(NH2)2.) 



This is "a very inexpensive way of getting urea, which has over 46 per 

 cent, of nitrogen" — much more than our common and excellent fertilizers, 

 ammonium nitrate and ammonium sulfate. 



If cyanogen gas (obtained from some of the sodium cyanid) is passed into 

 44 per cent, hydrochloric acid, it is hydrolyzed readily to oxamid: 



(CN)2 + 2H2O -^ C202(NH2)2. 



Oxamid has nearly 32 per cent, of nitrogen, is nearly insoluble in water 

 and should be especially of value as a fertilizer. 



Nothing short of a careful study of Dr. Bucher's article can convey a 

 proper conception of its great possibilities and its vital importance to our nation. 



The mode of action of catalysts is open to debate. Undoubtedly in many 

 instances intermediate compounds between the catalysts and one or more of 

 the reacting substances are formed. These intermediate compounds subse- 

 quently break down to form one of the products of the chemical change and 

 to regenerate the catalyst. The action of the cupric chlorid in Deacon's 

 process has been explained by some by means of these equations : 



2CUCI2 — ^ CU2CI2 + CI2 

 CU2CI2 -F O -^ CU2CI2O 

 CU2CI2O + 2HCI -^ H2O + 2CUCI2 

 In the lead chamber process, under certain conditions, an intermediate 

 compound crystalHzes out. This compound has been used in explanation of 

 the catalytic action of the nitrogen oxid as follows : 



2SO2 + N2O3 + O2 + H2O -^ 2(S020HONO) 



2(S020HONO) -f- H2O -^ 2H2SO4 + N2O3 

 or 



2(S020HONO) + SO2 + + 2H2O -^ 3H2SO4 + N2O3. 



