-29- 
STEINKOPF, W., and FROMMEL, W. (114) 
Ueber die Darstellung von Brommethyl. Deut. Chen. Gesell. Ber. 
38: 1865-1868. 1905. 
Methyl bromide is prepared by adding bromine slowly to a mix- 
ture of methyl alcohol and red phosphorus. 
and SCHWEN, G. (115) 
Preparation of methyl bromide. Jour. f. Prakt, Chem. 102: 
363-364. 1921. [in German.] 
The authors increased the yield from 44.5 percent to 77 percent 
of the theory (calculated from the bromine) by using methyl alcohol 
(110 gm. ), bromine (110 gm.), and phosphorus (22 gm. ). To avoid 
the formation of an explosive mixture, they kept the methyl alcohol- 
phosphorus mixture slowly boiling before and during the addition of 
bromine, 
STENGER, V. A., SFRaDER, S. A., and BESKGETOOR, A. W. (115) 
Analytical methods for methyl bromide, Indus, and Engin, Chem e , 
Analyt. Ed. 11: 121-124. 1939. 
Since the vapors of methyl bromide are toxic, it is important 
to have a simple procedure for the rapid detection of the gas in 
air. The literature is reviewed and the results of 2 years' ex- 
perience at the plant of the Dow Chemical Company in Michigan are 
summarized. The well-known Beilstein test, which can be made 
quickly xvith the Frigidaire halide leak detector, can serve for 
the approximate determination of 50 to 500 p.p.m. The procedure 
of Kolthoff-Yutzy (Indus, and .Engin. Chem., Analyt. Ed. 9: 75-76. 
1937) is, however, more accurate for these concentrations. For 
the analysis of fumigated products, this procedure can be applied 
after ashing with potassium hydroxide in alcohol and in the pres- 
ence of sodium chloride. Recoveries of 96 percent were obtained 
with 1 mg, of methyl bromide in 10 gm, of flour, nuts, dried fruits, 
or tobacco. For larger quantities the Volhard titration is recom- 
mended, 
STEWART, M. A. and iiACKIE, D. B. (117) 
The control of syl vatic plague vectors. Amer. Jour. Hyg. 28: 
469-480. 1938. 
The control of fleas in rodent burrows, as veil as the rodents 
themselves, necessary in the suppression of sylvatic plague, may be 
accomplished by fumigation with methyl bromide. All stagos of fleas 
arc susceptible to this fumigant, but the adults are the most eas- 
ily killed. It appears from field tests that the dosage of liquid 
mothyl bromide, approximately 10 cc. per burrow opening, ordinarily 
used to kill ground squirrels is also sufficient to kill all stages 
of the fleas. It is believed that the spread of bubonic plague- 
occurring through the transportation of plaguc-flea-inf osted grains, 
cereals, etc., may be chocked by fumigating these cargoes with 
methyl bromide, and that the materials so treated will not in any 
way bo rendered unfit for human consumption. 
