Illinois Junior Academy of Science - Yearbook (Urbana, IL)

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ently from a narrow starting zone in a special pourous medium. We used an apparatus we built ourselves to experiment the problem whether propane is a successful carrier or mobile phase in gas chromotography. We concluded that it is an undesirable gas for our experiment. CONSTRUCTION OF THE SUPER SNOOPERH A constant temperature oven is used with a series of tubes connected throught the enclosure. The carrier gas is first preheated to a desired heat in the tubes which are in the oven. Then the carrier gas is mixed with the injected substance X. The preheating takes place in tubes bent in an intestine type shape using 12 feet of tubing. The gas is then brought out of the oven and put back in while the mixing is taking place with substance X. This gas moves into the glass tubing filled with dreft tpink colorl. The dreft filters the ions. The filtering tube is about 21 feet long. From the filtering tube the gas and new ions then move to the hypo- dermic needle where the mixture of ions are burnt. The burning device was built with wood and copper wire, and a filed off hypodermic needle. APPLICATIONS The controversy aroused partially by publication of Silent Spring has contributed to the rapid development of techniques for analyzing pesticides. The ultrasensitive elec- tron capture detector, capable of detecting quantities in the range of 10-12 gram, can identify insecticides used on vege- tables even after the produce has been washed and placed on supermarket shelves. Bache and others have determined that tomatoes which received four pounds of 2,5-dichloro- benzoic acid iamibenl per acre contained about 0.03 part per million of this insecticide on harvesting. li PER .OOPE The Determination ot the Amino Acid Content in Legumes by the Process ot Thin-Layer Chroma- tography MARY Kmlcwooo my Lawrenceville Township High School Lawrenceville Sponsor: Sam Siegel fThis exhibit was a finalist at the 17th International Science Fair held in Dallas, Texas in May, 1966.3 In my project I attempted to find the analysis of the amino acids in various species of the Leguminosae by the process of thin-layer chromatography. The process of thin-layer chromatography is a new and valuable technique of analyzing various biochemical com- ponents of leaves. One of the most important procedures to be followed is the standardization of known amino acids to our process and facilities. The main equipment included two aquaria Cconverted to air-tight chromatography tanks with the use of paraffin and vacuum greasel and a special designed stainless steel support pans. After working with thin-layer chromatography, I've been able to conclude that both quantitative and qualitative amounts of amino acids can be determined: the process seems to be accurate, proven by the same repetition of the Rf valueg free amino acids and protein amino acids can be dcterminedg and that some amino acid identification can be made by color analysis. Because of the large scope in the field of thin-layer chromatography, I have just begun my work. In the future, I hope to continue it and expand it into further detail. I hope to be able to identify specific legumes to the amino acid content and in the much distant future, I hope to be able to identify the phenolic substances in legumes and identify them to species. Investigation, Characterigation, and Determination ot Group I Tetraphenylboron Compounds and Tetraphenylboric Acid PATRICIA JO'U'RNEY JANET BROCK HOLLY LITHGOW West Senior High Aurora Sponsor: Mr. Richard Ebeling The tetraphenylboron ion is becoming increasingly popu- lar in spot tests for micro-quantities of all types of basic organic nitrogen compounds and in the determination of potassium in various substances. Because little is known about the tetraphenylboron ion, research was undertaken on Group I compounds of this radical. An original method was used to obtain the compounds. Tetraphenylboric acid was prepared by use of a cation ex- change column and a sodium tetraphenylboron solution. The chloride of the Group I salt was added to the acid to pre- cipitate the desired compounds. Infra-red spectroscopy certified that the aromatic rings were still intact and that the intended compounds had been prepared.

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Abstract SCOTT CAMPBELL I. Purpose: ll To test several feed rations with various protein levels on groups of hens, to discover through total production of eggs, which level is most appropriate. 23 To see if the hens after being subjected to an unbalanced diet, can return to their previous laying level after being returned to a control feed. 31 To determine the actual protein con- tent in the nine feeds by using the Kjeldahl Analysis Method. II. Procedure: ll Set up groups to act as experimental and also as control groups. 21 Mix four balanced and four unbalanced diets, and also one control feed. 39 Determine the actual protein percentage by using the Kjeldahl Analy- sis Method. III. Conclusion: 17 A good range for total protein con- tent in a laying hen's diet is between 1476 and 17'k. 23 If chickens are not left on an unbalanced diet for too extensive a time, they will generally make a recovery to their previous laying level. 31 A noted generality is that the higher the unbalanced diet is in protein, the faster and sharper the de- cline in the rate of egg production. Synthesis of a Mescaline Analog JAMES F. CARAVELLI North Chicago Community High School North Chicago This project's goal was to synthesize a new mescaline analog. Mescaline is a phenylethylamine, or a hallucinogenic drug. Although Indians from the Southwest used the crude cactus derivative of mescaline to induce mystical experi- ences, today's psychiatrists use mescaline for psychotomime- tics. Mescaline may be one of the keys to the treatment of mental diseases. In the first reaction, a condensation reaction was run between 3, 4, 5-trimethoxybenzaldehyde, acetic acid, nitro- methane, an ammonium acetate. This yielded the known compound, trans-3, 4, 5-trimethoxy-B-nitrostyrene. A Diels-Alder reaction used the trans-3, 4, 5-trimethoxy- B-nitrostyrene, 2, 3-dimethylbutadine, toluene, and hydro- quinone. The resulting new compound was 1, 2--dimethyl-4- nitro-5-K3', 4', 5'-trimethoxyphenyll-cyclohexene. Both n.m.r. and infrared spectra confirmed the results. A Friedel-Crafts reaction was attempted with the Diels- Alder product and methanesulfonic acid. However, after changing all the variable conditions, the experiment proved unsuccessful. Although practical grade methanesulfonic gcifigmd poly-phosphoric acid were substituted, the reaction ai e . A hydroenation reaction of the Diels-Alder product used acetic acid, hydrogen gas, and either nickel or pal- ladiumfcarbon catalysts. When the palladiumfcarbon cata- lyst was used, the result was a new mescaline analog, 2-t3', 4', 5'-trimethoxyphenyll-4, 5-dimethylcyclohexlamine. How- ever, there was evidence of a stereoisomer. When the nickel catalyst was used, the new mescaline analog formed was 2-t3', 4', 5'-trimethoxyphenyll-4, 5-dimethyl-A'-cyc1ohexenyla- mine. Both compounds were confirmed by n.m.r. and infra- red spectra. Tests on mice revealed that the mescaline analog was a mescaline antagonist. After more extensive testing, it is possible that the new compound might be used to counteract mescaline intoxication or, possibly, natural psychoses. The Liesegang Phenomena X DAVl'D DENLEY l9l Wheeling High School Wheeling Sponsor: Mr. J. Doyle THE LIESEGAIIB Liesegang rings, or periodic precipitation, are formed when precipitating ions are allowed to diffuse towards each from separate mediums to precipitate. Under proper condi- tions, the precipitate will not form continuously through one medium, but will form a series of separate, distinct layers. Many theories have been proposed, and several hundred articles have been written to explain or clarify this phe- nomena, but none have been proven. A silica gel was used as a medium for the precipitation of the Liesegang rings. Also, in an attempt to more fully understand the mechanism of diffusion, a series of experi- ments were done to find a general equation for the distance travelled by the diffusion front. From my experiments, evidence was found contradictory to the most popular theory, Ostwald's supersaturation theory. This and other facts lead me to believe that the Liesegang phenomena can be more satisfactorily explained in terms of diffusion-concentration. The theory still needs more con- clusive testing, though. I also found that the distance travelled by the diffusion front varies directly as the square root of time. Super Snooper Gas Chromatography MATT ECKHARDT TED ECKHARDT The purpose of our project is to determine if propane may be used as a carrier, or mobile phase, for gas chromato- graphy. Gas chromatography is a method of separating and analyzing mixtures of chemical substances. A flow of solvent, or gas, causes the components of a sample to migrate differ- ,..,, - I o- 4 i l

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The compounds were next subjected to a battery of qualitative solubility tests in solvents ranging from non- polar organics tcarbon tetrachloride, dimethyl ketonel to ionic inorganics Caqua regia, sodium hydroxidel. Lithium tetraphenylboron is partially soluble in the greatest number of experimental solvents, but sodium tetraphenylboron is completely soluble in the most. In general the solubility de- creases with increasing cation radius. Because of the lack of solubility of the compounds, the amount and kinds of tests able to be run are severly limited. Conclusions were drawn that the bond between the tetraphenylboron ion and the involved cation is ionic and that the hydration energies of the compounds are low. The ion itself must have a tetrahedral structure. To form four equal covalent bonds, the boron ion must undergo hybridiza- tion. Since the boron ion has no 'd electrons, the only form aglailable is a spa hybrid which always forms a tetrahedral s ape. Yeast-Built Proteins CHRISTINE REC Madonna High School IIOI Chicago Sponsor: Sister Mary Alvernia IIKIIIE j cimnumuaunns Ullll IYIIIMIIIB X 'N The purpose of my project is to determine the proba- bility, as well as value, of growing yeast on petroleum to determine if the yeast can synthesize proteins from this source, to be used as a food supplement in counteracting the growing food shortage in the world today. I first began by attempting to grow the most common yeast, baker's dry yeast, in small amounts in the oil. I was unsuccessful because of the lack of oxygen. This was rem- edied with a system of tubes in which air was pumped in. After a good growing period, the yeast was centrifuged and separated from the various oil bases. Chromotograms were made from the different types of yeast cultures showing the presence of proteins. Upon comparing the control, I found the chromotograms proved the presence of others amino acids than those found in the control. More work will have to be done in this area to determine the kinds of amino acids that yeasts can synthesize from different types of oil, and perhaps supply all vitally needed proteins for the human body. This type of work conducted on a larger scale can perhaps solve protein needs in poverty stricken countries. A Determination of the Amino Acid Content ot Insulin by Thin Layer Chromatography DAVID STUMM CLAIRE ETHINGTON West Senior High School Aurora Sponsor: Richard Ebeling The purpose of this project was to determine the amino acid content of insulin by Thin Layer Chromatography. Insulin is composed of two long peptide chains held to- gether by three disulfide linkages. In order to separate the amino acids, the sulfur bonds must be oxidized and the peptide linkages severed. This was accomplished by per- formic acid oxidation and resulted in a solution of amino acids. Once this solution was obtained, it was spotted on a Thin Layer Plate and an organic solvent was allowed to rise through the plate. When this solvent had risen the desired distance, the plate was then rotated 90 and a second solvent was allowed to rise an equal distance. . After elution was complete, the plate was sprayed with Ninhydrin and formed a colored complex with the acids. When the spots were visible, the Rf value tdistance spot moved divided by the distance solvent movedl was calculated and compared to a previously arrived at set of standards. By these comparisons, the amino acid content of insulin was determined. By this procedure 17 of 18 amino acids were identified. Brief: The Mold Resistance Factor ot Apple J-uice MICHAEL SANTELL Loyola Academy Wilmette Apple juice shaken with Cand then separated froml benzene was compared to regular apple juice. It was found that the apple juice shaken with benzene became moldy quicker. Also, over a period of a month more mold grew in the benzene treated apple juice. The assumption that benzene removed from apple juice a mold resisting substance was made. Steps were carried out to partially isolate this substance. After evaporating large quantities of benzene that had