Calcium Carbide and the Board of Trade

Abstract

THE decision of the Board of Trade Referee that calcium carbide is not a synthetic organic chemical is characterised by “H. E. A.” (NATURE, February 23, p. 230) as an offence against both chemical tradition and our chemical conscience. “H. E. A.” no doubt may claim to be the keeper of the chemical tradition and conscience of organic chemists, but I should like to dissociate myself personally from his custodianship. How any one can regard calcium carbide, a substance that gives calcium oxide as its sole solid product when moistened with water, as an organic chemical, or an electric furnace operation as the fundamental synthesis of organic chemistry, I cannot understand. What do they know of organic chemical synthesis who only the syntheses of organic chemists know?