a LETTERS - ACS Publications

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Encyclopedia of

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LETTERS

Chemical Reactions

To the Editor:

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C h r o m i t e in

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the Philippines

To the Editor:

In the October, 1933, issue of the JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL EDUCATION was published an article describing a t length my proposed "Encyclopedia of Chemical Reactions." That article elicited widespread attention and offers of coijperation and help came from many quarters. Brief notes about the Encyclopedia were published in a number of journals. The abstracting of chemical reactions from the chemical journals was begun by Miss Kathryn Huffman and continued by a corps of fifteen other abstractors, including some in foreign countries. Nearly all of the abstracting work was voluntary. Over six thousand reactions have thus far been submitted on 4" X 5'/*" cards, and filed. It is for the reason that many people have written me regarding the progress of the Encyclopedia and inquired as to the probable date of its publication that I am writing you. No publisher has yet been obtained and no 6xed date of publication arranged. Two publishers of reference works who were approached have expressed interest in the work and promised careful consideration. Since the Encyclopedia will include the inorganic reactions published in the chemical journals in all languages the work would seem, a t first glance, to be well nigh impossible. However, i t goes much faster than a t first anticipated, for most of the literature deals with the uses or the physiological or physical properties of compounds, while the Encyclopedia will record the results of chemical change only, and will be the most complete and accessible work dealing with inorganic chemical transformations. It will become especially useful to men who are prosecuting research in all fields of chemistry. Dr. Wilhelm Segerblom has done invaluable service by abstracting the Scandinavian chemical journals, in addition to looking over all journals in related fields, and bas submitted more than 1500 reactions. In order to complete this work we need other volunteers for the abstracting of the remaining journals, including the German and French. Someone reading this may be able to suggest a plan by which the abstracting could be financed and expedited. One of the associate editors of Gmelin's "Handbuch," and a linguist of unusual ability, is now in this country and has consented to become a collaborator if his expenses can be met. I shall deeply appreciate any encouragement or aid for the work. C. A. JACOBSON

referents

WESTVIRGINIAUNIVERSITY M o R G A N T o ~ N , WESTVIRG~NIA

"No prospect of a chrome shortage threatens, but unfortunately commercially workable deposits are all situated i n the world's most inaccessible outposts-New Caledonia, Rhodesia, India, Russia and Turkey." The italics are mine. The quoted statement is from Anon.' and A. T. B.1 It is surprising that the large deposits of chromite in the Philippines were overlooked so completely, and particularly in view of the considerable mention given to them by A. L. Smith,a United States Bureau of Mines. According to Mr. Geo. 0. Scarfe, Chief Engineer of the Consolidated Mines, Inc., Manila, the Masinloc Chromite Deposit consists of actually proven reserves of ten million tons of chromite ore. The average composition and grade of the ore is as follows: CnOl

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32%

15% 5% Average Cr to Fe

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26%

MgO

1% 18%

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The Masinloc Chromite Deposit is situated twentyfive kilometers inland from the coastal town of Masinloc, Zambales Province, Luion. A reinforced concrete pier has be'en constructed with thirty-five feet of water a t the wharf head a t mean low tide. This permits the loading of ocean-going vessels a t all seasons of the year. Recently the Masinloc Mine has been put into production. Present shipments .are from four thousand to five thousand gross tons per-month under long term contract. Besides chromium the Philippines are rich in other minerals. Gold occupies first place in production. Iron ore4 exists to the extent of perhaps several hundred million tons. Copper, lead, molybdenum, zinc, titanium, manganese, small quantities of platinum and antimony occur. Asbestos, short fibered of the chrysotile variety, was commercially exploited several years ago. Coal exists in commercial quantities in many parts of the islands. Crude oil, however, does not appear to exist in other than small amounts. ROLLING. MYERS Cavms, PHILIPPINE ISLANDS

C h m . Indu~bies,10,23-6 (Jan.. 1937).

'J. CHEM.Eouc.. 14,396 (Aug., 1937).

A. L. S M r m , "Chromium, general information," Information Circular. Bureau of Mines, April 30,1932. 'According to the Director of Mines, the iron ore in Suragao, Mindanao, is estimated at one billion tons. This is associated with nickel.