Double Bond - May 2001

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Double Bond

May 2001

Officers and Staff:

EDITORIAL

On June 5 we will be hosting the gala of the year, the Schoellkopf Awards dinner meeting. And the winner is, Edith Flanigen! The inventor of the synthetic emerald returns to WNY for the recognition she so richly deserves. Don't miss it! Details are in this issue.

Editor

Joanna Christopher

Following her graduation from D’Youville College in 1952, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in chemistry (magna cum laude), Edith Flanigen enrolled in the Master’s program at Syracuse University inorganic-physical chemistry. In 1983, Dr. Flanigen received a Doctor of Science, Honoris Causa, degree from D’Youville College.

Upon her graduation from Syracuse University in 1952, Dr. Flanigen joined Union-Carbide Corporation as a Research Chemist working in the field of organosilicone chemistry. In 1956, Dr. Flanigen moved to the molecular sieve group to work in the field of silicate chemistry and molecular sieve materials. In 1960, she was named Senior Research Chemist; in 1962, Research Associate: in 1967, Senior Research Associate; and in 1969, Senior Research Scientist. In 1973, Dr. Flanigen became the first woman at Union Carbide to be named Corporate Research Fellow, and in 1982, Senior Corporate Research Fellow, the highest technical position at Union Carbide. In 1988 she was named Senior Research Fellow with UOP, a joint venture of Union Carbide and Allied Signal, and was promoted to UOP Fellow in 1991. In 1994 she retired from UOP.

Dr. Flanigen has attained international prominence for her work in the fields of silicate chemistry and the chemistry of zeolites and molecular sieve materials. Her accomplishments include synthesizing new molecular sieve materials for application as absorbents and catalysts; inventing the hydrothermal emerald synthesis process; and pioneering the use of mid-range infrared spectroscopy for interpreting zeolite materials. She has authored or co-authored 36 publications and has been granted 104 U.S. patents.

Dr. Flanigen’s most recent contribution has been the discovery of new generations of molecular sieve materials, including families of aluminophosphates, silicoaluminophosphates and other novel molecular sieves. These new materials comprise more than two dozen structures and two hundred compositions, and have generally been recognized as landmark discoveries in molecular sieve and inorganic materials. Several of these materials are commercialized or are under commercial development as catalysts in petroleum refining and petrochemical processes.

She has received at least 15 other honors or awards including Outstanding Woman Scientist, New York Academy of Sciences (1996); the Francis P. Garvan – John M. Olin Medal of the American Chemical Society (1993); the Perkin Medal of the Society of Chemical Industry, American Section (1992); the Chemical Pioneer Award of the American Institute of Chemists (1991); and the Distinguished Service Award of the Western New York Section of the American Chemical Society (1990).

Since her retirement from UOP in 1994, Dr. Flanigen has remained active professionally. During 1995 and 1996 she lectured extensively in Europe and Asia as part of the Inaugural International Zeolite Association Award for Outstanding Lifetime Contributions to and in the Field of Zeolites. She currently is serving: as consultant for UOP Research and Development; on the Advisory Board of the Materials Research Laboratory, University of California, Santa Barbara; on the National Research Council Committee on Electrometallurgical Techniques for DOE Spent Nuclear Fuel Treatment; and on the National Research Council Board on Manufacturing Design.

This brief history of the Schoellkopf Medal is reprinted in part from an article which originally appeared in Western New York magazine June 1976, volume 51 (6), p20.

The harnessing of the Niagara River in 1895, to produce hydro-electric power, spawned the world’s first electrochemical and electro-thermic industries at Niagara Falls. The incredible growth of the chemical industry on the Niagara Frontier since then is an inspiring tribute to the chemists and chemical engineers who have made it possible. Add to the pioneers the entrepreneurs, the financiers, who laid their fortunes on the line.

One of these, Jacob F. Schoellkopf, Sr. (1858-1942), holds a place of honor in this history. Jacob F. Schoellkopf came to this country in 1842 and settled in Niagara Falls in 1857. As one of 15 children, his family provided the initial material support for a small leather business which multiplied into a major commercial enterprise in several leading cities.

In 1877 Jacob F. Schoellkopf the Elder purchased the defunct Niagara Falls Hydraulic Canal for just over $70,000, and in 1881 the first dynamo was turned by Niagara waters. Soon alternating current was flowing to small shops and furnaces.

The elder Schoellkopf died in 1899. His son Jacob F., Sr., built the first dye plant in this country, out of which was formed the Aniline Chemical Works. A third generation, Jacob F. Schoellkopf Jr., carried on in his father’s footsteps, and the National Aniline complex resulted.

The idea of founding a gold medal award by the American Chemical Society’s Western New York Section originated with the late Robert J. Moore in 1929 when he was vice chairman. A trust fund was established by the Schoellkopf family to provide the award. The first medal was struck in a die supplied by Jacob F. Schoellkopf, Jr. The medal, bearing a likeness of his father and Niagara Falls, represents two vital forces in the growth of the Niagara Frontier.

The purpose of the award is to recognize a person who has fostered the objectives or activities of the American Chemical Society. The medalist’s contribution might be a discovery pertaining to chemistry, or an invention of a plan, process, or device useful, valuable, or significant in the theory or practice of chemistry, or distinguished service to the Western New York Section or its successor.

Since 1931, without interruption, the Schoellkopf Medal has been presented personally by a member of the original Schoellkopf family - now in the sixth generation - to a distinguished Western New Yorker. The impact of chemistry on the community can be easily followed by looking at the record of the Schoellkopf Awards.

A few things to remember while playing with unknown chemicals:

1. Hydrochloric and sulfuric acid may look like water but they
sure don't taste like it.

2. Tasting is not a scientifically correct practice of determining
unknowns.

3. Red hot metals really are HOT!

4. Putting all the "left overs" in a tub is not a healthy practice
Yes, some things do explode when put in an open flame.

6. Aquanet (the hairspray) IS the most flammable product
known to man.

http://www.acs.org/acsprograms.html

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