A Gaseous Hydride of Calcium Present in Commercial Acetylene.

Progress, Volume I, Issue 10, 1 August 1906, Page 285

A Gaseous Hydride of Calcium Present in Commercial Acetylene.

Acetylene prepared from certain samples of commercial calcium carbide deposited calcium oxide, even after careful filtration and purification. A systematic examination of a large volume of this acetylene was made, and the gas was passed successively through wash-bottles containing acetone and ammoniacal cuprous solutions, the latter being used to absorb the acetylene itself. Finally, a volatile residue was obtained which burnt in air to calcium oxide and water, and, therefore, appears to be a gaseous hydride of calcium. Since, however, this gas has not been completely freed from air, its exact percentage composition is still m doubt. {Zeitschnft fur Anorgaiusche Chenue, 1906, vol. 48, P- 137)-

The names of Kepler and Leibnitz recall how genius of the highest ordei was neglected in former days. John Kepler, as Carlyle reminds us, " did not fare sumptuously among Rodolph's astrologers and fire-eaters, but perished of want, after discovering the true System of the Stars." Poor Leibnitz, nearly a century later, in 1716, was buried at Hanover, with one mourner to do him honour, his late secretary. In the French Academy only was a fitting tribute paid to one of the most lllustnous men of the age. |