Abstract
The molecular concept in organic chemistry is based upon the fact that the molecules, whose existence is proved by vapor density determinations, enter into chemical reactions as the smallest particles. If now it is assumed that organic molecular colloids like rubber are dissolved in dilute solution in molecular form then it must be proved that in the chemical transposition of macromolecules as well no change in the size of the macromolecules occurs. In the case of hemicolloids, therefore for molecular colloids with an average molecular weight of 1000 to 10,000, this has been proved by the reduction of polyindenes, especially of polysterenes, to hydroproducts with the same average molecular weight, and also by the fact that cyclorubbers do not change their molecular weight upon autoöxidation. The molecular weights of hemi-colloidal hydrocarbons are therefore invariable. This is much more difficult to prove in the case of rubber, although there are many more ways in which unsaturated rubber can be transposed than the stable polysterenes, polyindenes, and poly cyclorubbers. In most of the reactions with rubber, as in its action with nitrosobenzene, oxidizing agents, hydrogen halides, and halogens, an extensive decomposition takes place as a result of the instability of the molecule, which is referred to in another work. Therefore derivatives of rubber are not formed, but derivatives of hemi-colloidal decomposition products. The catalytic reduction of rubber in the cold appears to be the most suitable process of making it react without changing its molecular size in order to prove that in a chemical transposition its molecular weight remains the same.
The molecular form of acetylcholinesterase as determined by irradiation inactivation (Short Communication)
