Determination of the Atomic Weight of Cadmium and the Preparation of Certain of Its Sub-Compounds — John Shaqi
Determination of the Atomic Weight of Cadmium and the Preparation of Certain of Its Sub-CompoundsJones, Harry C. (Harry Clary)
Science
Determination of the Atomic Weight of Cadmium and the Preparation of Certain of Its Sub-Compounds
Jones, Harry C. (Harry Clary)
Atomic weights; Cadmium; Thesis (Ph. D.)
An examination of the analyses shows beyond question that the
substance formed by the action of metallic cadmium on the molten
anhydrous chloride is of definite composition. The proportion of
cadmium to chlorine could not be changed even when the substance was
heated with the metal for twenty hours, while a very short time was
sufficient for its formation when the metal and chloride were melted
together.
It may be possible that a substance possessing these properties is
not a definite chemical compound but a mixture of cadmous and cadmic
chlorides or a solution of one in the other.
If it were a solution it is difficult to see why the composition of the
solution should be so constant, since the solubility of a substance
is generally altered by a change in temperature. The different
preparations were not made at exactly the same temperature yet the
composition of the different preparations was the same.
If the substance was a mixture of the two chlorides, when treated with
water the cadmic chloride would most probably dissolve directly leaving
the cadmous chloride to be acted upon by the water. The decomposition
by water will however be seen not to be as simple as would be expected
under these conditions.
From the above considerations it appears highly probable that the
substance is a definite chemical compound of cadmic and cadmous
chlorides. If cadmic chloride can form a chemical compound with the
chloride of another element there appears to be no reason why it
should not form a compound with another chloride of cadmium, as with
cadmous chloride.
The preparation of Cd₄Br₇.
The anhydrous bromide of cadmium was prepared by dissolving the
carbonate in an aqueous solution of hydrobromic acid, evaporating
the bromide to dryness on the water bath and heating the residue in
a current of dry hydrobromic acid gas. When the bromide was heated
with an excess of the metal in an atmosphere of nitrogen it conducted
itself in general like the chloride. When the molten bromide and the
metal came in contact the salt quickly became deep red in color.
After heating for some time considerable dissociation was produced by
raising the temperature. This was more apparent in the preparation of
the bromide than with the chloride. On cooling, the mass possessed
a greenish tint which disappeared when cold, the bromide then being
very nearly the same color as the corresponding chloride. Also like
the chloride it appeared to be homogeneous and free from metal. Two
determinations of cadmium and two of bromine were made, using the
product as soon as prepared.
First determination of cadmium:
Amount of substance used .3736 gr.
” ” cadmium found .16658 ”
Cadmium.
44.59 per cent.
Second determination of cadmium:
Amount of substance used .35930 gr.
” ” cadmium found .16013 ”
Cadmium.
44.57 per cent.
First determination of bromine:
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