PROBLEMS IN CATALOGING AND UTILIZING INFRARED SPECTRA AND X-RAY DIFFRACTION POWDER PATTERNS OF BIOCHEMICALS

Abstract

A program is underway to establish a catalog on microfilm of the infrared spectra and x-ray diffraction powder patterns of the principal biochemicals, utilizing published and unpublished university and industrial files, and original data, where necessary. Mimeographed sheets of the proposed contents will be available, and data are requested. The microfilm will be indexed by common and technical names, by the Hawalt x-ray powder pattern index, and by the analogous Clark infrared index. A ``biochemical” punch has been proposed for the A.S.T.M. catalogs on IBM cards, to be able to supply IBM card indices as well. Optical problems in utlizing the data, proposed utilization of magnetic tape memory of absorptivities per unit spectral slit width and readily modified less-extensive electronic memory for particular problems, and the need for infrared instruments with large-screen oscilloscope presentation of current spectra and of any spectra in the electronic memory in any quantitative combinations, with automatic matching of knowns to unknown, will be discussed. Other aspects of the total program of automatic, inclusive small molecule biochemical analyses of biological tissues, fluids, extracts, or hydrolysates will be reviewed.