Contents
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
VII
Foreword,by ProfessorAarollJ. lhde
IX
Preface
llltroductioll.. . . . . . . . . .
Part I-General
Aspects
ChapterI. COllcepts
1.1 The periodic system of chemicaI elements
1.2 The system concept.
1.3 The element concept . . . .
1.4 Periodicity. . . . . . . . .
1.5 Atomic theory; atomic weight
1.6 The affinityconcept.
1.7 The analogy concept . . . .
1.8 Properties . . . . . . . . .
1.9 Influencesof the development of analytical techniques.
1.10 Influencesof laws, hypotheses and theories
1.11 Prout's hypothesis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7
9
11
13
15
18
19
20
21
22
22
Chapter 2. CIaJ'sificatioll of illallimate matter
2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4
2.5
2.6
2.7
2.8
Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Discovery of a periodic c1assilicationof chemical elements. . . . .
Classificationby Boyle and systematization in the eighteenth century
Systemsof the nineteenth century
Numerical relationships. . . . . . . . . .
Significanceof numbers. . . . . . . . . .
The periodic system as a natural c1assification
Conc1usion
References. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Chapter 3. Period of maturatioll
3.1 Introduction.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..
3.2 Development of the concept of atomic weight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..
3.3 Parallels between the chronology of atomic weight determinations and the discovery
of the relationships between elements . . . . . . . . . .
3.4 Development of the valence concept . . . . . . . . . . .
3.5 Use of atomic weights by the founders of the periodic system
3.6 Investigators in the United States of America
3.7 Distinction element VJ'.simple substance .
3.8 Conc1usion
References. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
25
26
26
30
32
34
36
39
40
42
43
53
53
55
58
58
60
61
XII
CONTENTS
Chapter 4. Precursors of the periodic sYJ'tem (1817-1862)
4.1 Introduction . , . . . . , . . . . , . . . .
4.2 Döbereiner's triads.
. . . . , , , . . . . .
4.3
Contributions
of Gmelin;
1827, 1843 and
1852
4.4 Interlude . . . .
4.5 Pettenkofer; 1850. . . .
4.6 Dumas; 1851 , . . . .
4.7 Kremers; 1852and 1856.
4.8 Gladstone; 1853 .
4.9 Cooke; 1854-1855
4.10 Lenssen; 1857
4.11 Dumas; 1857
4.12 Odling; 1857.
4.13 Dumas; 1858
4.14 Mereer; 1858
4.15 Carey Lea; 1860
4.16 Conclusion
References. , . . .
63
63
69
72
73
74
75
76
78
80
85
87
90
92
93
95
96
.
Chapter5. Discoverersof the periodicsystem ( 1862-1871)
5.1 Introduction . . . . . . , . . . . , . . . . .
of Béguyer
The "Vis teliurique"
5.3
5.4
5.5
5.6
5.7
5.8
5.9
Newlands' law of octaves . . . . . .
Discussions with "Studiosus" , . . .
William Odling, pioneer and discoverer
Hinrichs' natural system. . .
Lothar Meyer's contribution. , . . .
Dmitri Ivanovitch Mendeleev , . . .
Contributions made by other investigators during the period of discovery
5.10 Problems of nomenclature
de Chancourtois
97
97
102
111
112
116
124
132
139
141
142
144
.
5.2
,
5.11 ConclusIOn
References. . . . . . . . . .
Chapter
6.1
6.2
6.3
6.4
6.5
6.6
6.7
6.8
6.9
6.10
6.11
6. Contributions to the development of the periodic system from 187/ to the present
Introduction .
Bayley; 1882. .
Bassett; 1892 .
Thomsen; 1895
Werner; 1905 .
Bohr; 1922 . .
Romanoff; 1934
Zmaczynski's fan-shaped system; 1937
Von Antropoff and Scheele
Spiral and helical systems , . . .
Circular models . . . . . . . .
6.12 Models
6.13
6.14
6.15
6.16
6.17
6.18
6.19
6.20
6.12
related
to the screw form
.
147
148
148
151
152
154
155
156
157
161
171
173
The "pretzeI" model . . . , .
The "arena" and related models
The conic model.
A spherical system . ,
A cubic model,
. . .
A wedge-shaped model
Specific applications of the periodic system
Wilde's work
Preyer's work . . . . . . . . . . . . .
174
181
183
185
187
190
190
193
194
~
. ~
. .,-
. - - -.
.'.;
-
,.,
':;";'~~-::";M"-'.::..-'.>-..t.:.."'-;'>.:
XIII
CONTENTS
6.22 Rang's systems. . . . . . . . . .
6.23 Carey Lea's system. . . . . . . .
6.24 The work of Lecoq de Boisbaudran .
6.25 MülIer's view . . . . . . . . . .
6.26 The periodic system and music. . .
6.27 The periodic system and the modern atomic theory
6.28 Conclusion
.
References. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
196
198
200
201
201
205
208
209
Part II-Specific Aspects
Chapter7. Predictionof elements
7.1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.2 Predictionsmade before the construction of the periodic system
7.3 Predictionsmade by Newlands. . . .
7.4 Predictions made by "Studiosus". . .
7.5 Hinrichs' equations for atomic weights
7.6 Mendeleev'sfar-reaching predictions .
7.7 Predictionsby Meyer in 1870 . . . .
7.8 Predictionsmade after the period of discovery
7.9 Prediction of hafnium. . . . . . . . . . .
7.10 Speculationsabout elements in celestial bodies .
7.11 Elementsbetween hydrogen and helium.
7.12 Some later predictions
7.13 Conclusion
. . . . . . . .
References. . . . . . . .
215
216
217
219
219
220
223
223
226
227
230
232
233
234
Chapter 8. Deviation from the order of increase in atomic weight
8.1 Introduction . . . . . .
8.2 The pair tellurium-iodine .
8.3 The pair cobalt-nickel . .
8.4 The pair argon-potassium .
8.5 The pair thorium-protactinium.
8.6 The pair neodymium-praseodymium
References. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
237
238
241
242
242
244
244
Chapter 9. The noble gases
9.1
9.2
9.3
9.4
9.5
9.6
9.7
9.0
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Discoveryand classificationof the noble gases . . .
Predictionsprior to the discovery of the noble gases
Predictionsmade after the discovery of argon and helium
Predictionsmade after the discovery of the other nobie gases.
Elementsbetween hydrogen and helium. . . . . . . . . .
Argon and helium considered as molecules of other elements.
Incorporation of the noble gases into the periodic system leading to the assumption
of unknown elements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
9.9 The atomic weight of argon considered in the light of the Te-l reversal . . . . . .
9.10 The place of the noble gases in the periodic system according to the electronic theory
9.11 Doubts as to the validity of the periodic system
9.12 Conclusion
. . . . . .
References. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
246
246
248
250
252
253
254
256
256
257
257
258
258
XIV
CONTENTS
Chapter JO. IlIcorporatioll of the rare earth metals ill10 the periodic system
10.I Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
260
10.2 Classification of the rare earths before the discovery of the periodic system.
10.3 Incorporation of the rare earths into the periodic systems of the discoverers
10.4 The rare earths considered as homologues of other elements .
10.5 The rare earths considered as a special group . . . . . . . . . . . . .
10.6 Systems with collective places for, or omitting, the rare earths . . . . . .
10.7 The number of elements in the rare earths series, according to Thomsen, Brauner and
Werner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
10.8 Systematization between 1913 and 1922 . . . . .
10.9 Analogies within the series of the rare earth metals
10.10 The exceptional position of the rare earth metals .
10.11 Systematization of the rare earth met als after 1922
10.12 Conclusion
References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
262
262
264
268
269
272
273
276
277
279
282
282
Chapter I I. The trallsitioll metals
II.I Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
285
11.2 The transition elements before the discovery of the periodic system . . . .
11.3 The transition elements considered by the discoverers of the periodic system
11.4 The transit ion group and the further development of the periodic system
11.5 Conclusion
References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
285
286
288
291
291
Chapter
12. The shape of the periodic
system;
maill alld sub-group
elemell1s
12.1 Introduction.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
12.2 Deduction of the lengths of the periods and the shape of the system
12.3 Inftuence of the shape of the periodic system on its discovery . . .
12.4 Classification of elements before and during the period of discovery.
12.5 The subdivision of the periodic system after 1871 .
12.6 Beryllium.
12.7 Hydrogen.
12.8 Conclusion
References . . .
Chapter /3. Radioactivity alld modem atomic theory
13.1 Discoveryofnewelements
13.2 The position of radioactive disintegration products; the isotopy concept.
13.3 Positional assignment of the radioactive isotopes. . . . . . . . . . .
13.4 Discovery of protactinium. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
13.5
The atomic number (numerical order) as the basis of the periodic system
13.6
Consequences
13.7
Inftuence of Bohr's atomic theory
of the introduction
of the atomic
number
.
References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
293
294
296
297
299
300
302
304
305
307
308
309
310
310
311
312
313
Chapter 14. The secolld series of rare earths (the actillides)
14.1
14.2
14.3
14.4
14.5
Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Classification of the actinides before 1922 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Computations on the starting point of the second series of the rare earths
Systematization of the actinides between 1922and 1940. . . . . . . .
Classification of the actinides after the discovery of the transuranium elements
References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
315
315
317
319
321
323
CONTENTS
XV
Chapter 15. Limits of the periodic system
15.1
15.2
15.3
15.4
15.5
lntroduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Atomic weights of less than one . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Early attempts to define the upper limit of the periodic system
Deduction of the atomic weight of the heaviest element by means of physical theories
Conclusion
325
326
329
331
335
References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 335
Chapter16. Priority aspects andfurther developmentof the periodic system by its discoverers
16.1 lntroduction. . . .
16.2 Pettenkofer's claim. . . . . . . . . . . . .
16.3 Newlands' claim. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
16.4 Priority conflict between Mendeleev and Meyer
16.5 Further development of the periodic system by Meyer and Mendeleev.
16.6 Priority concerning Odling. . . . . . . . . . .
16.7 The claims to priority of Béguyer de Chancourtois
16.8 Conclusion
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
References . . . . . . .
NameIndex
SubjectIndex
338
339
340
342
348
349
350
352
353
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 356
362