Science: Synthetic Rubber

Synthetic rubber, long a goal of the “creative chemists,” was successfully produced by Duisberg, the German chemist, and Perkin, the Englishman, some years ago. But the processes were not commercially practicable. Now Plotnikoff, also from Germany, has found a feasible formula. A uranium salt, used in conjunction with sunlight, produces an effect similar to, but much cheaper than, ultraviolet rays. The action of these rays on vinyl chloride made from acetylene, results in caoutchoue chloride, which can easily be converted into rubber. The American Association for the Advancement of Science, foreseeing the immense importance of knowing how to utilize the constructive power of sunlight, has appointed a special committee on photosynthesis.