The process for 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride synthesis, an intellectual property seized immediately after World War II

Witty, Michael

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/127835 Copy

Description

Title

The process for 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride synthesis, an intellectual property seized immediately after World War II

Author(s)

Witty, Michael

Issue Date

2012-09-15

Keyword(s)

• History
• Chemistry
• Patent leuchs triphenyltetrazolium chloride history

Abstract

The efforts to win World War II included use of intelligence units whose role was to find and detain German scientists, then interrogate them for information regarding military information that might help the Allies in their war aims. This involved identification of targets by the Combined Intelligence Objectives Subcommittee (CIOS) which were pursued by Target Forces (T-Forces) whose role was to identify and intercept German scientists. The translation of Leuchs' work, as described by the Combined Intelligence Objectives Subcommittee (CIOS), is presented. Specifically described is the prepn. of triphenyltetrazolium chloride. Typing errors (e.g. benzaldyhd for benzaldehyd and triphenyltetrazoliumschlorids for triphenyltetrazoliumchlorids) are seen which survive all the way through the publication process. There were also mistakes in chem. diagrams. The greatest error is a large repetition of German text and structural formula including imperfect copying of hyphenation, presumably of German text by an Anglophone typist. This low quality of interrogation product suggests the original documents were prepd. hurriedly or the German scientists were perfunctory.

Publisher

Division of the History of Chemistry

ISSN

1053-4385

Type of Resource

text

Genre of Resource

article

Language

eng

Permalink

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/127835

DOI

https://doi.org/10.70359/bhc2012v037p091

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2012 Division of the History of Chemistry

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