Analytical Chemistry October 1952 [antikvár]

ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY Walter J. Murphy, Editor International Congress on Analytical Ciiemistiy "pHE first lUPAC-sponsored International Congress on Analytical Chemistry was held at Oxford University, September 4 to 9, 1952, in conjunction with meetings of the newly established Analytical Section of the Union. From all standpoints the congress was highly successful. Both the number of registrants—over 700—and their wide geographical distribution impressively emphasize that the rebirth of analytical chemistry over the last two decades has been world wide. Thirty were registered from the United States, including an official delegation of six appointed by the National Research Council and headed by I. M. Kolthoff; Sweden, as a random example, sent 26. Others came from such remote places as Nigeria, Japan, New Zealand, and Australia. Most of the delegates were quartered in the undergraduate dormitories of the Oxford colleges, and took their meals together in the college dining halls. Thus there was ample opportunity for estabhshing and renewing personal and professional relations among the analytical chemists of the world; and the fullest advantage was taken, even though the language barrier was sometimes formidable. The pattern of the technical sessions was unique, by ACS standards. The texts of the 42 papers and the four congress lectures were preprinted and mailed to the registrants in advance of the congress. Speakers were hmited to 5 or 10 minutes for summarizing and highlighting their papers, after each of which half an hour or more was allocated for discussion. Generally this plan worked well, although, as might be expected with the more highly speciahzed papers, there was sometimes a noticeable amount of starting friction before discussion became spontaneous. One disadvantage, which could not have been avoided without extending the duration of the congress, was the use of concurrent sessions, although the awkwardness was minimized by having the two halls adjacent. The papers were grouped into nine sessions : micro-chemical methods, presentation of data, optical methods (2 sessions), radiochemical methods, organic complexes, electrical methods, adsorption and partition methods, and general The technical quality of the papers was uniformly high, and much important original research, as well Guest Editorial B. L. CLARKE Chairman, ACS Division of Analytical Chemistry as several able reviews, was presented. Members of the United States delegation had the distinction of contributing 13 of the 46 congress papers and lectures : R, G. Bates, Henry Freiser, L, D. Hamilton et at, M. T. Kelley et al, I. M. Kolthoff, M. G. Mellon et al, Doris Müller, R. H, Müller, G. Frederick Smith et al, D, M. Tennant, E. R. Tompkins, P. W. West, and W. J. Youden, Notable also were the mteresting trade exhibits held in connection with the congress. One was again impressed by the excellence of British-made laboratory apparatus, particularly balances and equipment for analysis by optical methods. Popular features were the film on "The Technique of Samphng," produced by Imperial Chemical Industries, Ltd., and the well-planned laboratory demonstrations at the Dyson Perrins Laboratory of O.xford. There were many social events arranged for the congress delegates, includmg evening performances at the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre at Stratford-on-Avon; but the culmination was the formal banquet held in the Great Hall of Christ Church. Here, in this vast, softly lighted room, the intrinsic beauty of its basic architecture enhanced by countless panels of stained glass and by priceless portraits of generations of famous alumni and patrons of Christ Church, from Henry VIII and Elizabeth I down to Lord Halifax, the diners ceased for a while to be scientists in search of hard facts and happily surrendered themselves to the intangibles of the esthetic. In the addresses that followed, from that of Sir Robert Robinson, president of the International Union and also of the Royal Society, through others to the felicitous remarks of Professor Kolthoff in his response to Dr. Lampitt's toast, "To Our Guests from Abroad," this mood was maintained. Thanks to many months of tireless preparation by R. C. Chirnside, honorary secretary of the congress, and by his coworkers, and to the innate hospitality of our British hosts, the delegates to the Oxford Congress will long remember it as a most delightful as well as a scientifically successful occasion. 1529