Ramsay’s theory

A general comment on the use of the empirical correlation between Si and Sn NMR (and likewise on C/ Si or Sn/ Pb NMR) chemical shifts is in order. The basis for this correlation is that the paramagnetic term Op dominates the chemical shift. According to Ramsay s theory, Op is proportional to the reciprocal energy difference h.E between the magnetically active orbitals and proportional to the expectation value for the electron radii (r )np- Thus, a linear correlation between the 5 Si and 8 Sn implies that the ratio of both determining factors of Op is constant for the all compounds of interest. In particular, it is not clear, however, if the ratio for tetravalent silicon and tin compounds is the same as for trivalent silicon and tin compounds. Therefore, the extension of a correlation based exclusively on the... 

Carbon-proton and carbon-deuterium coupling constants are related to each other by eq. (3.15a), which follows not only from eq. (3.15) but also from Ramsay s theory [5, 10]. 

Although Ramsay s theory is not disproved by Mile. Gleditsch s results, they afford it no support. Rutherford 1 regards the ordinary chemical methods employed as inadequate for the detection of the transformation, assuming it to have occurred. 

When recalculated for a stoichiometric mixture at 1,000 °C and 0.1 MPa (Haber s experimental temperature and pressure), Nernst s results (obtained at 5 MPa and 685 °C) showed 0.0032% ammonia yield, only about a quarter of Haber s high value (0.0125%) but close to Nernst s theoretical prediction (0.0045%). Nernst wrote to Haber, who, with his new assistant, Robert Le Rossignol, an Englishman trained in Ramsay s laboratory, almost immediately repeated the 1904 experiment (again at 1,000 °C and at atmospheric pressure) and ended up with 0.0048%, a good confirmation of Nernst s theory though still a bit above Nernst s results. 

Sir William Ramsay believed that Rutherford may well be credited with the discovery of nitrogen" and that his thesis on mephitic air was an advance, though not a great one, in the development of the theory of the true nature of air (15). B. B. Woodward believed, however, that all the facts and views recorded by Rutherford are to be found in Priestley s memoir published in die Philosophical Transactions for 1772 (p. 230 et passim), and read six months before the publication of Rutherford s tract but Priestley s exposition is less methodical and precise (14). Both Rutherford and Priestley believed the new gas to be atmospheric air saturated with phlogiston, and neither of them regarded it as an element (14). 

Wotiz and Rudofsky, "Kekule s Dreams" (1984) anon., "Developer of Key Theory May Have Been a Fraud" (1984) Seltzer, "Influence of Kekul Dream Disputed" (1985) Wotiz, "Unknown Kekule" (1987) Rudofsky and Wotiz, "Psychologists" (1988) Wotiz and Rudofsky, "Herr Professor Doktor Kekule" (1993) Borman, "Kekul Charged with Scientific Misconduct" (1993). An early critique of these arguments is Ramsay and Rocke, "Kekule s Dreams" (1984). 

Yoshida s book was one of the first chemistry textbooks thoroughly based on the periodic law. In the preface Yoshida mentions Mendeleev, Richter, Ramsay, Ostwald, Remsen, Bloxam, and Takamatsu. After fourteen introductory chapters on basic chemical concepts, such as elements, energy, atomic theory, and water, oxygen, hydrogen, chlorine, and their compounds, chapter fifteen explains the periodic law. Further on, he describes the families of elements in the order of the seventh family, sixth, fifth, fourth, first, second, third, and, lastly, the eighth group of elements. This structure is reminiscent of that of Mendeleev s Principles of Chemistry. 

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