Linus Pauling note to self concerning the structure of beta-manganese. June 29, 1950. Page 1  Larger Images / More Information. 1 p.  View Transcript

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Activity Listings

• Check from LP to California Institute of Technology for $10.92. [Filed under LP Biographical: (Business and Financial: Bank Statements and Canceled Checks, December 1948-November 1950; 1960-1962), Box #4.019, Folder #19.2]
• LP Notes to Self: “The Structure of α-manganese” and “The Structure of β-manganese”, June 29, 1950. [Filed under LP Science: (Materials re: Electron Theory and the Structure of Metals and Intermetallic Compounds, 1950-1955), Box #5.003, Folder #3.4]

  June 29, 1950

  Memo to Linus Pauling from Himself,

  The Structure of β -manganese

  While on the plane from Chicago to Pasadena last week - rather two weeks ago - I had an idea about the structure of β -manganese, which has 20 atoms in a cubic unit. The idea is that the 20 atoms might be divided into 4 groups of 5 atoms each, each group consisting of a trigonal bipyramid - that is, a tetrahedron of 4 atoms with a 5th atom out from the center of one of the triangular faces of the tetrahedron; in other words, a double tetrahedron, two tetrahedra with a common face. On checking the structure I have found that this is in fact the case. β-manganese can accordingly be described as a way of packing these pentads, such that each atom has at least 12 nearest neighbors. Each of the smaller atoms, representing the apices of the bipyramids, is surrounded by 12 atoms which are approximately at the corners of an icosahedron. Each of the larger atoms is surrounded by 14 atoms, 2 of which, however, are so far away as hardly to constitute ligates of the central atom.

  If we examine the configuration about a double pyramid, we find that each pentad is surrounded by 6 atoms out from the 6 triangular faces of the bipyramid, then by 6 more introduced in such a way as to sit in pockets formed by 4 atoms, and so on.

• Letter from F. R. Van Abeele, Biochemistry Department, Lilly Research Laboratories, to LP RE: Explains in detail how the samples will be prepared for the ACTH work. States that he would like to visit the chemistry department at Caltech this summer or fall. [Letter from LP to Van Abeele, June 23, 1950] [Filed under LP Correspondence: (Eli Lilly and Company), #111.4]
• Letter from LP to A.O. Morse. RE: Informs him that the Teachers Bulletin for May of 1950 (included) takes a different point of view for the termination of Dr. Lorch. Criticizes Morse for not being truthful. [Reply to Morse June 5, 1950] [Filed under LP Correspondence: (M: Correspondence, 1950) #256.1]
• Letter from LP to Albert Fields, Scientific Chairman, Temple Hospital, RE: Thanks Dr. Fields for sending the interesting articles. States that Field’s experiences as an officer in China seem to be very interesting. [Filed under LP Correspondence: (F: Correspondence, 1950), #128.15]
• Letter from LP to Bank of America, RE: Encloses a check for $2,000.00 to have applied to the loan they have made to him. [Filed under LP Biographical: Business and Financial: (Bank Statements and Canceled Check: Bank of America, June, 1964 - April 1966; Correspondence: Back of America, 1950.), Box #4.020, Folder #20.3]
• Letter from LP to Dr. Glenn T. Seaborg, Radiation Laboratory, University of California, RE: Submits the title of a paper that he would like to present before the Division of Physical and Inorganic Chemistry at the Chicago meeting, “Principles Determining the Structure of Intermetallic Compounds.” States that he thinks 15 minutes will be sufficient for his presentation. Encloses a short abstract and a longer account of the work. Notes that the account is not a paper for publication. [Filed under LP Speeches: 1950s.20]
• Letter from LP to Fred Karush, Neurological Institute, RE: Asks for reprints of his two papers on the binding properties of bovine serum albumin and a reprint of the paper that he wrote with Sonenberg. [Filed under LP Correspondence: (K: Correspondence, 1950), #200.15].
• Letter from LP to W. H. Freeman RE: Inquires whether he has sent a review copy of College Chemistry to Endeavor. Requests that copies of the book also be sent to N. V. Sidgwick and Linus Pauling, Jr. [Filed under LP Books: 1950b.2]
• Letter from LP to W. H. Freeman, W. H. Freeman & Co., RE: [Filed under LP Books: 1947b6.2]