Catalyzer 7/6/07 11:25 AM Page 1

Issue No. 1 – Sunday 22 July 2007

Welcoming message Welcoming message of George A. Oláh of the Chairman

It is my pleasure to invite Dear Friends, you to the 40th Interna- I am really pleased to invite tional Chemistry Olympi- you to Budapest on the ad to be held in Budapest, occasion of the 40th Inter- in the city where my sci- national Chemistry Olym- entific career had started. piad. It is the fourth time that Hungary hosts this prestigious event and be- Hungary has a long tradition of academic competitions, ing a veteran IChO organizer I remember well the 3rd dating back to the 19th century. As one of the three Olympiad, which was held at the Eötvös Loránd Uni- founding countries, it will host the Chemistry Olympiad versity. Looking back to these first steps of the chemistry once again, 40 years after the first event. olympiad movement, they started as local, friendly get- together parties in chemistry. Since that time IChO’s have Being a friendly competition for secondary school stu- become professionally organized, world-wide events dents, the Olympiad motivates and educates the best stu- gaining considerable international reputation. Enlarge- dents of more than 70 nations. There are only a few ment frequently results in loss of quality but not in this meetings in Chemistry that have such a wide participa- case because these events are dominated by such basic tion reaching almost to the 80 percent of the population values as the respect of science and education, clear and of the globe. fair atmosphere of the competitions with all of these glued together by friendship and goodwill. Chemistry has a wide array of unexplored and challenging problems to be solved by a new generation of chemists. So come and try your professional skills in the course of I hope that the Olympiad will become an important starting the competitions, come and enjoy Hungary! point in the career of the participants towards Chemistry. In other words: ”Gaudeamus igitur...”

Oláh A. György Szepes László Nobel Laureate in Chemistry, 1994 Chairman of the 40th IChO Distinguished Professor of Organic Chemistry, University Deputy Director of Education of the Institute of Chemistry, of Southern California Eötvös Loránd University Catalyzer 7/6/07 11:25 AM Page 2

40th International Chemistry Olympiad– 2008 Budapest, Hungary Issue No. 1 – Sunday 22 July 2007

Hungary Hungarians Culture Budapest ELTE Students'accommodation

Hungary lies landlocked in Central Hungarian people originate from some- Hungarian, the only official language Budapest, the beautiful capital of The 40th IChO will be organized at the The students and guides will stay in the Europe. The area of the country is a mere where near the Ural Mountains accord- belongs to the same family as Finnish and Hungary is by far the biggest city in the Eötvös Loránd University (Hungarian dormitory of the University of Gödöllõ, a 93 thousand square kilometres and out of ing to the prevailing theory based on the Estonian. Some say it is one of the hardest country with its population of 1.8 million acronym: ELTE), the oldest and largest town about half an hour’s drive from its 10 million inhabitants almost one fifth fact that their language belongs to the languages to learn being an agglutinat- people. It is divided by the Danube into institution of higher education in Budapest. The newly built buildings are lives in the capital Budapest, located in Finno-Ugric family. The settlement in the ing one. Cuisine is also a prominent part two parts, hills rising on the right-hand Hungary. The university is sometimes close to the 150 year old main building the middle of the country. The great rivers Carpathian Basin is dated to the year 896 of the national culture, which usually side, featuring numerous caves and hot Duna (or Danube) and Tisza cross the ter- AD, in the age of the Great Migrations, at splits the visitors since it is quite spicy and springs in the heart of the city, while the rain in north-south direction dividing it which time chiefs lead the people. In includes a lot of meat dishes. These are left-hand side is almost flat. A total of 9 traditionally flavoured with red paprika, bridges arc over the river that also maybe the most famous of them being embraces two big islands. Margaret the gulyás (or goulash) soup. Hungarian Island (formerly called Island of Rabbits) musical life has always been ranked is a popular place among local people. high with many acclaimed composers The foundation of the northwestern area also referred to as the University of of the university and its wonderful gar- and performers (just to name Bartók and dates back to the Roman Empire, at that Budapest although there are more than dens. With lots of greenery, the place Liszt). The literature has just recently time called Aquincum, but the first castle ten universities in town. radiates a tranquil atmosphere. Besides was only built in 1247 on Castle Hill and the rooms there are common halls for its present form was finished in 1903. The University was founded in 1635. It has evening programs and fields for those There are many sights in Budapest, some functioned as The Royal Hungarian who would like to enjoy some sporting of them are the Buda Castle, the University most of the time. The present activities. into three parts. The western is scattered 1000 AD was the first king Saint István Parliament Building, St. István’s name (after the experimental physicist with hills while the eastern is ruled by vast (Stephen) crowned. The Christian state and statesman baron Eötvös Loránd) was plains called the Puszta, perfect for agri- he had established remained a kingdom introduced in 1950, when the faculties had Mentors' and guests' cultural use. Though surrounded by a until 1946. The original crown has a been reorganized. The first Department of accommodation range of mountains in the neighbouring rather peculiar story being lost and found Chemistry was formed in 1770 at the countries, the highest point of Hungary but now it is on display in the Parliament gained some renown outside the borders, University. The present Institute has close Congress Park Hotel Flamenco is centrally called Kékes is only 1014 metres above Building, which is one of the symbols of e.g. Kertész Imre was Nobel Prize winner to 80 faculty members and a similar located first class (four star) hotel in the sea level. Nearby lies the wine area Tokaj Budapest and is a destination of all sight- in 2002. (note that in Hungarian the first number of PhD students. heart of the city with 358 fully equipped, famous for its sweet dessert wine Aszu´, air-conditioned rooms. The building is said to be wine of the kings and king of The Faculty of Sciences moved to a new overlooking a beautiful park with a small the wines. Due to the enclosedness also campus on the west bank of the Danube, lake and is surrounded by the scenic hill- hundreds of plant and animal species live slightly south of the city center in the last sides of southern Buda. uniquely in the basin. In order to protect decade. This will be the venue of most of this diversity 10 national parks and the events of the Olympiad with its class- numerous nature reservation areas have Cathedral, the Opera, the Millennium rooms, conference center and computing been established all over the country. As Monument on Heroes’ Square and its sur- facilities. Laboratory space will be used in you will see, the greatest lake is Balaton, a seeing tours around the city. The history name is written second). The country is roundings, which were constructed in the Institutes of Chemistry and Biology. popular destination point for both of Hungary is characterized by a constant also proud of the achievements of 1896 for the anniversary of the settle- The campus is easily reached from down- Hungarian people and tourists, along struggle between East and West, many Hungarian scientists: Neumann János ment. Though traffic is not the strongest town and from the hotel used by the men- with the largest thermal lake in the battles, invasions and reconstructions, (John von Neumann), Szent-Györgyi point of the city, the public transport is tors on public transport or even on foot. world, Hévíz, where the hot water but in 1989 it was finally declared a Albert, Teller Ede (Edward Teller) to name really convenient with three underground We plan to provide a transit pass to the

emerges naturally from the ground. Republic. a few. metro lines, trams and buses. participants accommodated in Budapest. Pictures are a courtesy of Magyar Turizmus Zrt. Fotógaléria Catalyzer 7/6/07 11:25 AM Page 4

40th International Chemistry Olympiad– 2008 Budapest, Hungary

40th IChO tentative program

Date Students Mentors and observers Guests

July 12th Saturday Whole day Arrivals and registration

Morning Opening Ceremony and Welcome Reception (ELTE) July 13th Sunday Afternoon Lab safety instruction Lab inspection (ELTE) Excursion Evening Excursion 1st Jury meeting + translation Free time July 14th Monday Whole day ExcursionTranslation Excursion Discussion on theoretical exam July 15th Morning Practical exam 2nd jury meeting Excursion Tuesday Discussion on theoretical exam Afternoon Excursion 2nd jury meeting Excursion July 16th Wednesday Whole day ExcursionTranslation Excursion Morning Theoretical exam Excursion Excursion July 17th Thursday Afternoon Free time Excursion Excursion Evening Re-union party July 18th Whole day Whole day excursion Friday Evening 3rd jury meeting July 19th Saturday Whole day Excursion Arbitration Excursion Morning Free time July 20th Sunday Afternoon Closing ceremony Evening Banquet July 21st Monday Whole day Departures

Union. By mid 2008 it will be a part of the is not widely accepted in daily use, but A few practical issues common visa (Schengen) policy. That currency exchange from most major cur- means that many of the participants can rencies is facile. The weather is usually hot and dry in the enter the country visa-free. Others will Local time in Budapest is GMT+1, in summer (though thunderstorms and have to apply for the unified EU visa with accord with most of Western Europe. sometimes colder days are also possible) our full assistance. Electric appliances operate on 220 V/50 with an average of 28 C. The currency in Hungary will still be the Hz, with European standard two-pronged Hungary is a member of the European forint in 2008. The euro is not official and plugs.

Useful Hungarian phrases Contact info

Hi Szia Secretariat of the IChO Yes/No Igen/Nem http://www.icho.hu Thank you Köszönöm Pázmány Péter sétány 1/A, Budapest H-1117, Hungary Sorry Bocsánat Telephone: +36 1 372 2910, Fax: +36 1 372 2909 I am lost Eltévedtem E-mail: [email protected] It's too expensive Drága I don't understand Nem értem Budapest www.budapest.hu Test tube stand Kémcsôállvány Ministry of Education My lab coat is burning! Ég a köpenyem! and Culture www.okm.gov.hu The hood has exploded! Felrobbant a fülke! Eötvös Loránd University www.elte.hu You are beautiful Szép vagy Faculty of Science http://ttk.elte.hu I’ll take a stew Kérek egy pörköltet Institute of Chemistry www.chem.elte.hu Main sponsors: Sponsors: Partners:

– Saturday 12 July 2007 The problems of the first Olympiad Anniversary Issue

Problem 1 Problem 3 A mixture of hydrogen and chlorine is irradiated with scattered The gas that comes from a blast furnace has the following com- light in a closed vessel. After some time, the amount of chlorine position: decreased by 20% compared with the initial quantity at the same CO2 12.0% vol, H2 3.0%, 0.2% C2H4, CO 28.0%, CH4 0.6 %, temperature. The resulting mixture has the following composi- N2 56.2% tion: 60% chlorine, 10% hydrogen and 30% hydrogen chloride by volume. a. Calculate the volume of air (m3) required for a complete com- 1. What was the original composition of the gas mixture? bustion of 200 m3 of the exhaust gas (at the same tempera- 2. How are chlorine, hydrogen and hydrogen produced? ture and pressure measured, the oxygen content in air is 20% by volume). Problem 2 b. Determine the composition of the products if the gas is Give balanced reaction equations for the following processes: burned in a 20% excess of air. a. Oxidation of chromium (III) chloride with bromine in alkaline (KOH) solution. Problem 4 b. Oxidation of potassium nitrite with potassium permangan- The vapor of an organic acid has a density 30 times of hydrogen.

ate in acid (H2SO4) solution. For the neutralization of 0.19 g of this acid 31.7 ml 0.1 M sodium c. The action of chlorine on lime water (Ca (OH)2) in a cold reac- hydroxide is consumed. Give the name and structural formula tion mixture. of the acid.

Colophon Secretariat of the IChO Catalyzer http://www.icho.hu Journal of the 40th International Chemistry Olympiad Pázmány Péter sétány 1/A, Budapest H-1117, Hungary Anniversary Issue July 12, 2008 Telephone: +36 1 372 2910, Fax: +36 1 372 29 31 Editorial team: Darvas Mária, Jagasics Éva, Magyarfalvi Gábor, E-mail: [email protected] Stirling András, Túri László, Vass Márton Budapest www.budapest.hu Copy editor: Jon Baker Ministry of Education and Culture www.okm.gov.hu Layout: Csordás Zoltán, Pál Attila Eötvös Loránd University www.elte.hu Photographer: Gilicze Bálint Faculty of Science http://ttk.elte.hu Press: Prime Rate Ltd. Budapest Institute of Chemistry www.chem.elte.hu 40th International Chemistry Olympiad– 2008 Budapest, Hungary Anniversary Issue – Saturday 12 July 2007

An insight on history – Dr. Fuggerth Endre, the member of the first team

being in extreme flux at that time, he decided A: Actually it was more difficult to get into the the mist, thus eradicating the serious conse- Q: Mr. Székely, can you tell us about how this news agency (MTI) and they usually issued a to part for a while from organic chemistry to team. (This has been touched on earlier, in the quences that are now so prevailing. The other whole wonderful series of Chemistry Olympiad short report. devote some time to a relatively new science in introductory part.) In Prague the problems had problem is an overall negative attitude towards started? its infancy. HPLC acted on him like magnet, and fortunately more colour and diversity, with the chemistry, mainly because it is widely believed A: It has been long ago, in 1968. It was Q: While the media coverage of sport events is taught him special skills. Although its grip later experimental part clearly being an overshot. A that “chemicals” cause pollution. Cardinal is the inspired by the success of the Mathematical taken granted naturally and of course strongly slackened, the embrace of chromatography still pardonable fault of the organizing committee, point that this picture is false. It is industry that Olympiad started in 1959 and that of the phys- demanded, the same is not true for science remained. He has now left science and is living this being the very first Olympiad. By then I had pollutes, transportation and energy consump- ics started just a year earlier. In the spring of competitions. What is your opinion? in a rural village, spending his time improving at long last obtained a proper grip on the pleth- tion contribute even more, and all because of ‘68 we had received an invitation letter from A: I do not think that the two types of com- the house he lives in and creating an orchard ora of accumulated knowledge in my mind, and mankind’s supposed increasing needs. Are they the Czechoslovakian Ministry of Education in petition would be comparable. There are very containing the widest range of fruits possible solutions came smoothly, and with mirth. really justified? which they had proposed to organize a sim- fundamental reasons why the sport events at this latitude. ilar Olympiad for chemistry and in May we are covered much more profoundly. First of all Q: Dr. Fuggerth, why chemistry? Q: Did you follow the life of the other members Q: With hindsight, would you follow the same had a pleasant meeting in Ostrava, where 3 sport events by nature are much more popu- A: Circumstances, as always, played a role. I of the team? career or would you choose something differ- Czechoslovakian and 3 Polish colleagues partici- lar and people are much more interested in Fuggerth Endre, one of the six members of the remember my father, a man without higher A: In fact, no. Only one of the remaining five ent? pated, and I represented Hungary. We agreed them. People understand sport and often do it Hungarian team at the first Chemistry Olympiad education but endowed with talent and skill, chose chemistry as a profession. His name is A: I can’t help feeling that something in my on some of the most important issues: 6 par- themselves. They like sport but do not like and (1968) in Prague was born in Budapest in 1951. having subscribed to a monthly periodical titled Deli János, we attended the same class at uni- genes “encoded” me for chemistry. So, a second ticipants from each country, no official ranking understand science. His attraction toward sciences began early, but “Univerzum” that contained original papers versity, and we made a lasting friendship. start, although it may differ at the outset and at the first three events, there would be theory was given direction, as well as momentum, translated into Hungarian from every branch lead to a less tortuous career, would certainly and experimental parts, the problems are given Q: Why do people not like chemistry? when he “borrowed” and read the chemical of science, including contemporary results. Q: Do you think it is possible to pose theoreti- land me somewhere in chemistry. However, by the host country, and that the host country A: People here in Hungary do not like chemistry textbooks his brother – older by six years – was I perused that periodical heavily as a child. cal chemical tasks based on real life problems should it happen nowadays, I would need a prepares and sends out preliminary problems for a couple of reasons. Chemistry as a sepa- studying for his exams. Enthused by their con- The breakthrough in favour of chemistry came for such competitions which can differentiate scrutinizing eye, too, open to perceive and similar to the competition tasks. rate subject in education has been introduced tent, the youngster put every penny he had into when I found the textbooks my older brother between students? address changes: environmental issues, abuse relatively later into the curricula. Its material building a home laboratory – causing serious was using in his high school and faced their A: I am rather sceptical. Chemistry does not of science by industry, justification of research Q: Do you remember your fellow colleagues is very very theoretical today, and the people concern to his parents – and performed numer- breath-taking, unfathomable content. The die work with imagination alone, even if it is the priorities, etc. This should also be a task for from the other countries? hardly see the link between this theory and the ous experiments that gave him a sure hand later was cast. brightest. Those who know more facts are in a those who are still active and in a position to A: Yes, I can easily recall some of them. Tymoteusz real life. in practice. Despite his passion for chemistry, he much better position at the start. At the same influence events. Szarszaniewicz, an enthusiastic chemistry teach- opted to study Mathematics in Fazekas Mihály Q: Do you have favourite problems or fields in time, accumulating facts never has an end, not (Stirling András) er from Poland made a long lasting impression Q: What would be your choice to show in a secondary school (which had a very high repu- chemistry? to mention that secondary schools have their on me. Also, the Czechoslovakian organizer, Mr. chemistry class? tation at its level). “Mathematics is the key to A: Let me just think. I always found it very other functions at an age when such a task is Novotny from the Charles University was a nice A: I always preferred to illustrate large-scale logic, and without impeccable logic no science interesting to look into the remarkable chemi- rather unusual even to begin with. So, diligence colleague and friend. I also recall the amazing industrial processes in small-scale model experi- cal composition of the Earth which renders it and devotion are easier to measure than to beauty of the directress of the pioneer house in ments. H (or scientist) is worth the name”, he professes. Father of the 2SO4 production, Haber-Bosch synthe- Time unconsumed by Mathematics was poured unique among the other planets (in our solar single out talent. This is especially true if reason- Prague where the experimental part of the com- sis and the electrolysis of NaCl were always on into reading about any kind of chemistry what- system). If you compare Earth to the other plan- ing is curbed, a list of standardized answers is Olympiad – interview petition took place – said Mr. Székely smiling. my demonstration list when I taught. I also soever, limited only by the language barrier of ets, its diversity and kaleidoscopic nature strikes offered, and if the problem posed allows only a put big efforts to demonstrate how general the Hungarian. With such a background, the road you at once. One may then ask if all this can be single approach in solving it. The students will with Székely György Q: And some Hungarian colleagues from the redox processes can be and invoked various to Prague for him now seemed inevitable, yet connected in some way to the origin of life. do their best in any event. Life, and real – at initial years? phenomena, like corrosion. there was a stumbling block. Training problems times testing – problems come later. A: Certainly. Two colleagues from the Eotvos sent by the Czechoslovakian organizers did not Q: What has been the most important chemi- University: Dr. Hartmann Hildegard, Dr Szepes Q: Coming back to the Chemistry Olympiad, how differentiate between the competitors as they cal discovery of the last few decades in your Q: One can contrast science Olympiads with László, the late Davida Leóné and Dr Várnai do you see the enormous increase in the mate- needed only simple calculations done quickly. opinion? sport Olympic Games in several aspects. One György were all key persons in the competi- rial covered by the problems in the Olympiads? Back in 1968, the slide-rule was the fastest A.: Novelties are twelve a dozen, yet giant such aspect is the recognition of the partici- tions. A: I am very happy and satisfied with that. It tool available, yet – although dexterity at it can achievements are rare and are usually recog- pants: youngsters competing in sport are far has a very significant feedback to the chemistry be laudable – it has nothing to do with either nized and given the place they deserve only more recognized, and celebrated, than those Q: How did you select which countries were education, to the local and national competi- mathematics or chemistry. So it happened that when looking back from quite a distance; sorry, participating in science Olympiads. How do you invited? tions, and to talent development as well. I am he ranked 7th, just out of the team, when a but such is human nature. H. C. Brown, who see this difference? A: The selection of countries fell entirely with- also very happy about the large number of the chance came. Each potential team member was discovered and developed organo-boranes, a A: The contrast is too wide, indeed. The respon- in the host country’s competence. As far as I participating countries. given the opportunity to lecture on whatever chemistry in itself, immensely useful tools in sibility for change lies with the media. There remember Hungary who organized the third topic he liked, and Fuggerth accepted the chal- synthetic organic chemistry, surpassing even the would be a favourable shift, both culturally competition, decided to invite European non- Q: What is the most important aspect of the lenge – and won. He went on, oblivious to his highly regarded Grignard’s reagents, received and socially, if instead of false heroes gifted socialist countries, and later the USA and Cuba Olympic movement for you? audience, reciting and explaining great parts his Nobel prize some ten years later; a fate youngsters living among us were given more as well. However they did not come at that A: The enthusiasm and devotion of the teach- of organic chemistry to the astonishment of the very similar to our own Oláh György. Ancillary publicity. It would be more human, more elevat- Székely György was the mentor of the time yet. ers of the various countries and that they were teacher present until he was stopped, and given techniques seem to deserve even lesser atten- ing for the aimless and would cost very little. Hungarian team at the first Chemistry Olympiads always ready to volunteer the organization and a place in the team. It was thus no surprise that tion: a remark and a few equations uttered by Furthermore, talented people would have less and he was also one of the founders of this glob- Q: Were there any language problems? preparations of the Olympiads, which subse- at university he specialized in organic chemistry an old physicist almost informally at a Ljubljana chance of losing their way in society. al meeting. He started his carrier as a highschool A: At the beginning the host country translated quently initiated new local and national com- and made his MS thesis in 1975 in this field. The conference could be traced back as the origin of chemistry teacher. Later he was promoted and the problems to all the languages of the invited petitions both in Hungary and elsewhere. I topic he chose involved both spectroscopic and 2D NMR spectroscopy, now an unprecedentedly Q: Why do you think the majority of the people obtained a position in the Educational Ministry countries. Since the number of the participat- can enumerate a lot of Hungarian and foreign chromatographic methods. The latter subject useful tool. dislike chemistry nowadays? where he was responsible for the chemistry cur- ing countries was not much, it was feasible. colleagues with whom we worked during the A: First of all I am not sure it is true. Nevertheless riculum and education. After 21 years he retired, Nevertheless the final translated version was first decades of the Chemistry Olympiad. We Q: And what has been your most important I see two problems here. One is that people in but he remained active for 17 years. During this always written by the mentors of the given had wonderful moments together. A lot of them discovery? general do not acknowledge that principles period, at age 70 he dedicated himself to his country. We also managed this problem in are no longer among us, but surely a lot of them A: I regard myself as lucky to have been faced with of chemistry in fact govern a lot of aspects of other favourite field, namely literature: he has the first years when we, i.e. Hungary hosted are still with us and I would be very happy to an intellectual challenge in 1982, which, dog- our everyday life, and what’s more, they do translated various German and French poems the Olympiad. However, later this policy has meet them again. gedly tracked for five years, resulted in what was not respect them. See for example the care- to Hungarian, including such famous authors changed. (Stirling András) subsequently called Zone Gas Chromatography, less usage of fireworks and crackers at feasts, as Heine, Goethe, Baudelaire and Verlaine. His an approach that later opened the door to the widespread abuse of drugs, the blind-eyed translations appeared both in literature journals Q: Nowadays media coverage is inevitable. 40 Multidimensional Gas Chromatography. acceptance of chemical modifications in the and schoolbooks. He is now a happy great- years ago, in a socialist country, this was differ- food industry, to mention but a few. Teachers grand father of his great-grand children. We ent. How did you do it at that time? Q: What was the Olympiad like? Was it difficult should be given the opportunity to explain rel- talked with him about the beginnings in the A: During the Olympiads, I had very frequent to win? evant concepts at their students’ level to clear Chemistry Olympiad at his home. contact with a correspondent of the national Main sponsors:

Today’s programme

Students Mentors and Scientific Observers Guests 05:30-22:00 Arrivals and registration 05:30-22:00 Arrivals and registration 05:30-22:00 Arrivals and registration 13:00-14:00 Lunch in Gödöllô 12:00-15:00 Lunch at the hotel 12:00-15:00 Lunch at the hotel 19:00-20:00 Dinner in Gödöllô 19:00-20:00 Dinner at the hotel 19:00-20:00 Dinner at the hotel Issue No. 2 – Saturday 12 July 2007 MKE - Association of Hungarian Chemists

The Association of Hungarian Chemists ( Magyar Kémikusok Egyesülete ) was founded in 1907 by Fabinyi Rudolf, professor of the University of Kolozsvár. At the beginning the association, with its center in the heart of Budapest, had only 40-50 enthusiastic members, young chemists and professors. Since then, surviving the storms of the two world wars, the association has gone through a period of remarkable growth and development. By the millenium it already consisted of 30 branches. Today the Association of Hungarian Chemists supports chemical education as well as industry and research. Besides that, it issues four remarkable journals of chemistry, a journal for secondary school students (Középiskolai Kémiai Lapok), two scientific journals (Magyar Kémikusok lapja, Magyar Kémiai Folyóirat) and a programme book (Havi közlemények). Welcome to the 40th Molecule of the day formed between two sterically crowded chromium(I) centers. The structure of International Chemistry Olympiad Quintuple bonds were unknown in sta- the molecule was determined by X-ray ble compounds before 2005. The orga- crystallography at 90 K, which also Dear colleagues, dear friends, nometallic compound shown above is revealed that the distance between the the first example of a structurally char- two chromium nuclei is 183.5 pm. I am delighted to welcome you to Hungary acterized molecule containing a formal- (Science, 2005, 310, 844) to the 40th International Chemistry ly five-fold covalent bond. This bond is (Lente Gábor) Olympiad. I still vividly remember my feel- ings from the summer of 1987 when I had the good fortune to participate at the A quick guide to Fill in the gaps with correct elements 19th Olympiad in Veszprém, Hungary. The inspiration of representing my country, Hungarian pronunciation from the list below, choose only one and the joy of having an excellent com- for each place. pany of fellow students for 10 days still c as in its a as in not bring a smile to my face. cs as in church á as in father What does a ship do when it’s torpedoed? ...... Our objective is to see this same smile on g as in go é as in day your face in Hungary. For us organizers gy as in duty free í as in see When there is no gas left we say it’s ...... the 10 days of the Olympiad is the culmi- j / ly both as in you ó as in law nation of 2 year’s work. We tried to think What do we do when we are in pain? ...... ny as in new ö as in early with your head to imagine what programs s as in ship ô is the long version of ö would make your stay memorable. The sulfur, silicon, boron, zink, copper, mercury, helium, lead, argon sz as in say ú as in fool authors tailored their problems to stimu- (collection of J. Verhagen) ty as in Tuesday ü as in déj`a vu late your mind and the guides and our zs as in pleasure û is the long version of ü travel agent put together a program that combines the historical and cultural high- lights of Hungary with the joy of a leisurely Weather Colophon Secretariat of the IChO holiday. During the competition there will http://www.icho.hu be around 160 of us to help and assist you We are expecting a Catalyzer Pázmány Péter sétány 1/A, Budapest H-1117, Hungary so please don’t hesitate to contact us! Journal of the 40th International Chemistry Olympiad Telephone: +36 1 372 2910, Fax: +36 1 372 29 31 hot sunny day with bright sunshine so Issue No. 2 July 12, 2008 (during the olympiad: +36 20 779 5210) Editorial team: Darvas Mária, Jagasics Éva, Magyarfalvi Gábor, E-mail: [email protected] I wish you a fair competition and a memo- remember to put Stirling András, Túri László, Vass Márton, Budapest www.budapest.hu rable stay in Hungary! on sunscreen. Jon Baker Ministry of Education and Culture www.okm.gov.hu Layout: Csordás Zoltán, Pál Attila Eötvös Loránd University www.elte.hu András Kotschy Photographer: Gilicze Bálint Faculty of Science http://ttk.elte.hu Chairman of the Organizing Committee Press: Prime Rate Ltd. Budapest Institute of Chemistry www.chem.elte.hu 40th International Chemistry Olympiad– 2008 Budapest, Hungary Issue No. 2 – Saturday 12 July 2007

Gödöllô – a royal had his palatial residence built in 1751, Margaret Island – a it was a popular hunting area of the royal Did you know… home for students which, as the greatest Baroque manor change of scene court and it retained the name until the house in Hungary, is still the principal 14th century, when it was given a new one that the element tellurium was discovered Gödöllô is a scenic town northeast from landmark of Gödöllô. The Grassalkovich after Saint Margit – daughter of king Béla in 1782 but not named until 1798? Franz Budapest situated in the intersection of family perished in 1841 and the village IV – who lived in the Dominican convent on Joseph Muller von Reichenstein, an Austrian four valleys on the bank of the Rákos became a headquarters in the war of inde- the island. It is connected to the city by the mine expert, identified tellurium in a gold Creek. The surrounding hills are covered pendence. After the war had ended the Margaret Bridge built in 1901, but vehicle ore found in Transylvania. He referred to with forests which had been royal hunting castle was presented to Franz Joseph I as a entry is limited to buses and taxis. During the new element as metallum problematicum areas for centuries. The written document coronation gift and it soon became one of a walk around the island the explorer can (Latin for “problematic metal”) and had an in which the town is mentioned is from the favourite summer homes of his wife, encounter the remnants of several monas- extensive correspondence with Ruprecht teries, the Centennial Memorial commemo- Antal, a professor at the Mining Academy rating the hundredth anniversary of the of Selmecbánya, who also studied the The final location hosting mentors’ accom- city’s unification, the Music Fountain near same ore but initially thought that Muller’s modation, translation and jury meetings which music is played and light shows element was in fact bismuth. Although was chosen to be the Danubius Grand are performed in summer, an octagonal a famous Swedish chemist, Torbern Olof Hotel Margitsziget and Danubius Health Water Tower (functioning today as a look- Bergman confirmed Muller’s analysis, the Spa Resort Margitsziget in the heart of out tower), a Japanese garden and numer- discovery was almost forgotten until Martin Budapest, yet far from the bustle of the city, ous sports and recreation facilities. The Heinrich Klaproth, a chemistry professor in on Margaret Island, which is a 2.5 km long hotels, featuring spas from natural thermal Berlin, became involved in the late 1790s. island in the middle of the Danube mostly springs, shady terraces and great confer- Klaproth received ore samples from Muller, Gödöllô (with six faculties) was founded repeated earlier experiments and devised in 2000 by the fusion of five predecessor new ones. Finally he named the new ele- institutes of higher education. Besides ment tellurium after Earth (tellus in Latin). the traditional faculties of agriculture Despite that Klaproth always acknowl- and veterinary science, new ones such edged Muller as the discoverer of tellurium, as rural development, environmental, the German professor was drawn into a the middle of the 14th century but the the Empress Elisabeth (Sissy). In 1933 it technical and economic faculties were priority dispute in 1803 by Kitaibel Pál , original settlement was totally destroyed was home to the Boy Scout Jamboree and founded. The University has buildings in a botanist in Budapest. Kitaibel claimed during the Ottoman reign of the 15th- 26,000 boys from 54 nations camped in three cities; the University of Agriculture discovery of tellurium based on a series 17th centuries. The 18th century brought the village. In 1966 it was promoted to moved to the present central building, of his own experiments, which he carried a turning-point in the life of the village, the rank of a town, and this was the time which had previously been the home of out in 1789 using a different ore. These when a nobleman called Grassalkovich when it really began to attain its pres- the Premonstratensian Grammar School, results remained unpublished, but, accord- Antal made it the center of his estate and ent form. The Saint István University of in 1950. This town, with its exceptional ing to the Hungarian professor, Klaproth historical background, home to one of had informal access to them. Apparently, Hungary’s internationally known univer- Kitaibel started the dispute without reading sities, has many other interesting features any of the publications. Finally, Klaproth as well. The botanical garden, the apiary covered by landscape parks. This beauti- ence halls, and renovated in 2000-2001, sent these papers to him to proove that museum and the sport airport are certain- ful island is a popular recreational area. are located in the northern part of the Muller was the discoverer. ly well worth a visit. We hope you’ll spend Throughout the history of the city it had island. Interestingly the two buildings are (Lente Gábor) a memorable ten days in this beautiful many different names, the most interesting connected by a heated underground cor- environment in the town of Gödöllô. of them being Island of Rabbits, the result ridor. (Vass Márton) of a mistranslation from Latin. However (Vass Márton) Main sponsors:

Today’s programme

Students Mentors and Scientific Observers Guests 06:00-08:00 Breakfast 07:00-08:30 Breakfast 07:00-08:30 Breakfast

07:50 Departure for Madách Theatre 09:15 Departure for Madách Theatre 09:15 Departure for Madách Theatre

10:00-12:00 Opening Ceremony 10:00-12:00 Opening Ceremony 10:00-12:00 Opening Ceremony Issue No. 3 – Sunday 13 July 2008 Welcome Reception at ELTE Welcome Reception at ELTE Welcome Reception at ELTE 13:00-14:00 13:00-14:00 13:00-14:00 University University University Laboratory Inspection at ELTE 14:00-18:00 Budapest sightseeing 14:00-16:00 14:30-18:00 Budapest sightseeing University 18:00 Departure for Gödöllô 16:00 Departure for the Hotel 18:00-19:30 Dinner at the Hotel 19:00-20:30 Dinner 16:30-18:00 Meeting with the Authors Lab safety instruction and 20:30-22:00 18:00-19:00 Dinner Chemistry demonstration 19:00- 1st Jury Meeting Opening Ceremony Molecule of the day ods. The sweat of the animal is colour- less immediately after perspiration and Hipposudoric acid was isolated from the gradually turns red. Hipposudoric acid The Opening Ceremony will be held in the Madách Theatre. Since its reconstruction in sweat of the hippopotamus by Japanese is responsible for its color. In addition to 1999 the theatre has a total capacity of 804 people on three floors; the interior decoration scientists, who named the compound its mild antibacterial activity it absorbs is characterized by Dalmatian and Italian motifs and the mural on the ceiling designed by after its occurrence (sudor means “sweat” a lot of UV and some visible light thus Götz Béla depicts the masked figures of commedia dell’arte. There is a different world-class in Latin). Samples were collected from an protecting the skin of the hippopotamus musical performed here every season. animal in the Tokyo zoo for about half a from sunburn. year and the compound shown here was (Nature, 2004, 429, 363) identified by several analytical meth- (Lente Gábor) The program of the Opening Ceremony

Useful expressions Three reasons to »» Tárogató music by Nagy Csaba become a chemist Good morning Jó reggelt »» Speech by Sólyom László, President of the Republic of Hungary Good day/afternoon Jó napot Good evening Jó estét »» You can wear Clark Kent style safety »» Tárogató music by Nagy Csaba Good night Jó éjszakát glasses. [An awkward greeting among youth] Csácsumicsá »» Speech by Hudecz Ferenc, Rector of Eötvös Loránd University What’s your name? Hogy hívnak? »» You can always have access to some 100% … vagyok My name is… pure ethanol. »» Performance by the Baptist Bell Orchestra How are you? Hogy vagy? I’m fine, thanks Köszönöm, jól »» And finally: Because its pHun. » Speech by Greiner István, vice-president of the Hungarian Chemical Society and I (don’t) speak Hungarian (Nem) beszélek magyarul » Do you speak English? Beszélsz angolul? (G. D. McCallion) Deputy Director for Research of Richter Gedeon Plc. Can I get my mobile back? (The answer is no) Visszakaphatom a mobilomat? I love Chemistry Imádom a kémiát »» Sebestyén Márta sings, accompanied by Szokolay Dongó Balázs on bagpipes I’m going to win the competition Meg fogom nyerni a versenyt »» László Szepes, Eötvös Loránd University, Chairman of the 40th IChO

Weather Colophon Secretariat of the IChO »» Tárogató music by Nagy Csaba and dance http://www.icho.hu We are looking for- Catalyzer Pázmány Péter sétány 1/A, Budapest H-1117, Hungary »» Speech by Manfred Kerschbaumer, President of the Steering Committee ward to another Journal of the 40th International Chemistry Olympiad Telephone: +36 1 372 2910, Fax: +36 1 372 29 31 hot summer day. Issue No. 3 July 13, 2008 (during the olympiad: +36 20 779 5210) »» Sebestyén Márta sings, accompanied by Szokolay Dongó Balázs on bagpipes No wind, no rain Editorial team: Darvas Mária, Jagasics Éva, Magyarfalvi Gábor, E-mail: [email protected] the sun is shining Stirling András, Túri László, Vass Márton, Budapest www.budapest.hu Jon Baker Ministry of Education and Culture www.okm.gov.hu brightly on all those Layout: Csordás Zoltán, Pál Attila Eötvös Loránd University www.elte.hu who have come for Photographer: Gilicze Bálint Faculty of Science http://ttk.elte.hu the IChO. Press: Prime Rate Ltd. Budapest Institute of Chemistry www.chem.elte.hu 40th International Chemistry Olympiad– 2008 Budapest, Hungary Issue No. 3 – Sunday 13 July 2008

Nagy Csaba studied clarinet at the Bartók wonderful voice, she is one of the most Béla Secondary School of Music. During authentic interpreters of the Hungarian Jalsovszky István and Snapshots on arrival Did you know… the years of his musical studies he learnt traditional folk music. She is giving con- his safety show At around ten o’clock the first groups start- that magic acid is a two-component mix- to play the “tárogató” of which he has certs all over the world both as a solo artist ed to gather in the hall of the Hotel in ture being 103-1025 times (depending on also written several studies. As he says the and as a guest performer with Hungarian This evening, after the lab safety instruc- Gödöllô. Coming from the airport all the the composition) more acidic than con- secret of this instrument lies within the and international folk groups. Her collabo- tions, Dr. Jalsovszky István is going guys were exhausted from the journey, still centrated sulfuric acid? It is a super acid mixture of the sound of the clarinet, oboe ration with the French group Deep Forest to surprise you with an unconventional their smile revealed their feeling of exite- containing FSO OH (a protic or Brønsted and bassoon and with his music he evokes resulted in a Grammy Award in 1996. She chemistry demonstration. He teaches 3 ment. Here are the first photos of the arriv- acid) and SbF (a Lewis acid) intro- the tunes of Hungarian dances. He has recorded with Peter Gabriel and was the organic chemistry on basic and advanced 5 ing groups taken right at the registration: duced by Oláh György (a patron of the had concerts all over Europe as well as in voice of the “English Patient” awarded level alike, chemical safety for beginners Olympiad, 1994 Nobel laureate of chem- Japan and Canada. with 9 Oscars (also for the music) in 1997. often jazzed up with spectacular experi- istry). In such a strongly acidic medium, ments, and holds organic laboratory cours- many unusual things can happen, e.g., The Újpest Baptist Bell Orchestra was Szokolay Dongó Balázs plays folk music es at Eötvös Loránd University. His main free carbenium ions (organic cations hav- formed in 1991 by music-loving young- and improvisative music inspired by folk research area is the chemistry of cubane ing three ligands) can form, with long sters. The instruments arrived in Hungary music on bagpipe, flute and saxophone. derivatives and formerly the stereoselec- enough life-times to be studied by meth- from the United States, the set was made He started the adaptation of folk music tive synthesis of organosulfur compounds. ods such as NMR and infrared spectrosco- up of 37 bells, which makes it possible to after thoroughly studying the folklore of He participated in the 4th IChO (Moscow) py. Even saturated hydrocarbons can be play a register of 3 octaves. You can hear the Carpathian Basin. His own composi- where he achieved a good result but at protonated, thus producing organic cat- them play transcriptions of bells of clas- tions not only bear the musical culture of that time there were no medals given out. ions with more than four formal bonds to sical composers as well as adaptations of the past centruries in themselves but also carbon (they are called carbonium ions). ecclesiastical songs or works composed have a modern, contemporary sounding. The name “magic acid” for the FSO H- on bells. He holds the title of Young Master of Folk 3 SbF system was introduced by one of Art. He got an Artisjus Award in 2005. 5 Oláh’s German postdoctoral fellows (Joe Sebestyén Márta was born in Budapest (Jagasics Éva) Lukas), who after a laboratory Christmas (1957). Her mother, a music teacher stud- party put the remains of a candle into the ied with the great composer and ethno- acid. The candle dissolved, and the result- musicologist, Kodály Zoltán. Having a ing solution gave a clear NMR spectrum of the tertiary butyl cation. Initially the term “magic” was only laboratory slang, but was subsequently introduced into the chemical literature. Finally, one of Olah’s graduate students (Jim Svoboda), who started a small company to make some of the superacid systems and reagents avail- able commercially, obtained trade name protection for Magic Acid. It has been marketed as such since that time. (Pálinkó István) Main sponsors:

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Students Mentors and Scientific Observers Guests 06:30-08:30 Breakfast 07:00-09:00 Breakfast 08:00-09:00 Breakfast Translation of the Practical 08:15 Departure for Tihany 08:00-17:00 10:30-12:00 Boat trip to Szentendre Exam 11:30-14:00 Sightseeing in Tihany 12:00-13:00 Lunch 12:00-14:00 Szentendre sightseeing Issue No. 4 – Monday 14 July 2008 Beach program in Balaton- Departure for Szentendre in 14:30-16:40 15:00-17:00 14:00-16:00 Lunch füred two groups Folklore program in Szent­ 17:30-19:00 Dinner in Baricska Csárda 18:00-19:00 16:00-18:00 Visit to Caproce Factory endre Folklore program in Szent­ 19:00 Departure for Gödöllô 19:00-21:15 Dinner 18:00-19:00 endre 21:15 Departure for the Hotel 19:00-21:15 Dinner in Szentendre Balatonfüred Tihany the gemstone of Balaton the village of legends chelator part; the dimer can be Useful Molecule of the day set in motion by exchanging the Tihany is a beckoning historic village lying on the northern shore complexed metal centers. The free expressions Molecular machines can be of Lake Balaton on the Tihany Peninsula. The Benedictine Abbey ligand obtained by reacting the designed to mimic biological pro- Are we there yet? Ott vagyunk már? standing in the center of the village was founded by Andrew tetracoordinate Cu+ complex with cesses such as contraction and Inflatable swim ring Felfújható úszógumi I, who was buried in the crypt there in 1055, only half a cen- KCN further reacts with Zn(NO ) stretching of the skeletal muscles. 3 2 Cotton candy Vattacukor tury after the foundation of the Hungarian state. The first extant to yield a pentacoordinate Zn2+ A symmetric rotaxane dimer is Deep-fried flat bread with Fokhagymás tejfölös record of the Hungarian language is embedded in the founding complex in the contracted state. able to function as an “artificial garlic and sour cream lángos charter of this abbey, which is today preserved in the Archabbey The reverse motion is induced by muscle”. The motion is easy to Nice weather isn’t it? Szép idônk van, nemde? of Pannonhalma. The church of Tihany was originally constructed the addition of Cu(CH CN) +. The visualize: both strings move along 3 4 A storm is brewing Vihar készülôdik in the Romanesque style but it was destroyed and later rebuilt in length of the backbone changes one another but stay together Let’s go swimming Menjünk úszni The settlement lying on the northern shore of Lake Balaton was the baroque style in 1754. The spectacular building is a favourite from 85 to 65 Å between the two thanks to the intertwined nature I left my swimming suit Otthon hagytam a the first among Hungarian towns to receive the title of spa. It place for tourists due to its artistic and historical significance. The forms. of the system. Each filament con- at home fürdôruhámat is also famous for the superior quality wine of the area and the echo of Tihany is one of the legendary features of the place and has (Chem. Eur. J., 2002, 8, 1456) tains both a bi- and a tri-dentate Will the water get any Lesz mélyebb is a víz? traditional Anna Ball, organized annually since 1825. The history inspired many famous poets. It has existed since the XVIII century (Vass Márton) deeper? of the town goes back as early as the middle ages when seven but is less effective today due to changes in the landscape. The Look! A shark! Nézd! Cápa! small settlements stood in the area. From these only two, Arács other well known legend connected to the village is about the so- Help! Segítség! and Balatonfüred survived the storms of history. Arács, or the called goat’s nails, brought ashore by the waves. According to the Wait! Várj! Old Town as the locals call it, lies further from the lake in the hills story, there was a very self-conceited princess who had golden- while the original Balatonfüred or the New Town consists of the haired goats. She was cursed by the king of the lake because of his lakeshore areas and downtown. The most famous point in Arács proudness and all her goats drowned in the Balaton; sometimes is a small hill on which the ruins of a medieval church and a 19th even today their nails are washed ashore. In fact the nails are The real definitions of some branches of chemistry century cemetery can be found. From this hill a stunningly beau- worn shells of prehistoric bivalve clams. We hope you will enjoy a tiful panorama opens towards the lake. The most spectacular nice summer day in this charming village.

sights of the downtown area are the Catholic Church built of red (Darvas Mária) Organic chemistry: the practice of transmuting vile substances into publication. stone and the white Protestant Church. Close to the shore of Lake Physical chemistry: the pitiful attempt to apply y = mx + b to everything in the universe Balaton stands the imposing building complex of the hospital Inorganic chemistry: that which is left after organic, analytical and physical chemists get through pickning over the periodic table. (which specializes in cardiology), situated near to the Tagore (J. Verhagen) Promenade, which runs along the lakeshore and was named after Rabindranath Tagore, a famous Indian poet. Next to the Weather Colophon Secretariat of the IChO promenade there is a shaded park (with some of the trees planted http://www.icho.hu by Nobel laureates) containing a coat of arms of Hungary made Hurray, no rain! Pázmány Péter sétány 1/A, Budapest H-1117, Hungary Catalyzer from flowers. Visitors to Balatonfüred should try the so-called Let us hope it will Journal of the 40th International Chemistry Olympiad Telephone: +36 1 372 2910, Fax: +36 1 372 29 31 sour water of the town which comes from springs discovered in remain so and go to Issue No. 3 July 13, 2008 (during the olympiad: +36 20 779 5210) the beach! Editorial team: Darvas Mária, Jagasics Éva, Magyarfalvi Gábor, E-mail: [email protected] the 1700s. The spa gained importance when the first health bath Stirling András, Túri László, Vass Márton, Budapest www.budapest.hu was built in the town in the beginning of the 1700s. The sour Jon Baker Ministry of Education and Culture www.okm.gov.hu water contains calcium and magnesium hydrogen-carbonates Layout: Csordás Zoltán, Pál Attila Eötvös Loránd University www.elte.hu and sulfates and a significant amount of carbon dioxide. Photographer: Gilicze Bálint Faculty of Science http://ttk.elte.hu (Darvas Mária) Press: Prime Rate Ltd. Budapest Institute of Chemistry www.chem.elte.hu 40th International Chemistry Olympiad– 2008 Budapest, Hungary Issue No. 4 – Monday 14 July 2008

At the opening ceremony Sightseeing in Budapest – the first glimpses Did you know…

Yesterday in the morning we had the Yesterday in the afternoon a bunch fied hand exhibited there. that Hungary has a large number of chance to take part in the Opening of young chemists invaded the city of Q: Hungary is famous for its cooking tradi- thermal and mineral springs which is Ceremony held at Madách Theater, one of Budapest eager to explore its secrets, tions. Do you know any special Hungarian unusual for a country without active vol- the most imposing theaters of Budapest. longing to get acquainted with some food? If yes what, have you ever tasted it? canism? There are numerous spas all over The pictures reveal the elevated spirit of Hungarian traditions. Let see now from A: No, I am vegetarian, ask the boys! the country, more than a dozen within Budapest, and a corresponding bath tra- the ceremony: where they had started their ‘expedition’, Q: Boys? dition. The analysis of the waters was what had they already known about A: Yes, I have tried the goulash. Actually an important stimulus for the develop- Hungary and its capital. Four teams were we also have some kind of goulash in ment of chemistry in the country. The ready to answer my investigating ques- Denmark, but it is a little bit different. Hudecz Ferenc the rector of ELTE called first book on chemistry in Hungarian was tions: Canada, Denmark, Ireland and the participants not only to compete but written on this topic in 1800 and the Mongolia to establish lasting new friendships most widely recognized Hungarian clas- Mongolia sical chemist also started his analytical studies on water. The iodometric method Ireland Q: Have you ever been to Budapest, have to determine the amount of dissolved you heard anything interesting or strange oxygen in water still bears the name of Q: Have you ever been to Budapest, have about it? Winkler Lajos. His predecessor as the Szepes László welcomed Hartmann you heard anything interesting or strange A: Never, but we are very happy to be in head of the Institute of Chemistry, Than Hildegard, one the organizers of the very about it? Europe, it is fun! Károly, was the first to synthesize carbo- nyl sulfide and detect it in mineral waters. first Olympiad A: No, unfortunately we have not been Q: Hungary is famous for its cooking tradi- Unreactive COS gas was only a footnote in here before, but my friends who have tions. Do you know any special Hungarian inorganic chemistry books for a century, told us it was a great experience to visit food? If yes what, have you ever tasted it? but today its role in the sulfur cycle and Hungary and Budapest is a lovely historic A: Yes, I have it is spicy and tasty, I like it. biogenesis is actively researched. In addi- city. 2008 is the year of reneaissance in tion to the mineral springs carbonated Q: Hungary is famous for its cooking tradi- Hungary. These dancers performed a so naturally, many Hungarians carry out called kuruc dance from the end of that tions. Do you know any special Hungarian Canada water carbonation at home with small food? If yes what, have you ever tasted it? period CO2 cartridges that are filled at the largest A: Yes, I know goulash which must be Q: Have you ever been to Budapest, have pure carbon dioxide well in Europe locat- some spicy soup or stew. you heard anything interesting or strange ed in western Hungary. The first large about it? scale carbonation equipment was also an A: I have heard it is an interesting historic invention of a Hungarian, the eccentric Denmark city, really nice to be here indeed! monk and physics professor Jedlik Ányos. He never patented this process or any of Q: Hungary is famous for its cooking tradi- his many other inventions. Q: Have you ever been to Budapest, have tions. Do you know any special Hungarian (Magyarfalvi Gábor) you heard anything interesting or strange food? If yes what, have you ever tasted it? Szokolay Dongó Balázs and Sebestyén about it? A: I have heard about salami and goulash Manfred Kerschbaumer, the Austrian Márta gifted us with a stunningly creative A(Denmark): Yes I have already been and I am eager to taste them, they must President of the Steering Comittee opened performance of authentic Hungarian folk here and I had the chance to visit Saint be nice. Snapshots from the attentive audience the 40th IChO with a witty speech music. Stephen’s Basilica and I saw a mummi- Main sponsors:

Today’s programme

Students Mentors and Scientific Observers Guests 06:15-07:00 Breakfast 07:00-08:45 Breakfast 07:00-08:45 Breakfast Budapest sightseeing with 07:00 Departure for ELTE University 09:00-13:00 Budapest sightseeing 09:00-13:00 the Mentors 08:30-14:00 Practical Exam 13:00-14:00 Lunch at the hotel 13:00-15:00 Lunch in the city Issue No. 5 – Tuesday 15 July 2008 Visit to the Houses of Parlia- 14:00-15:00 Lunch 14:00-18:00 Consultation with the Authors 15:00-16:00 ment Visit to the Houses of Parlia- 16:00-18:30 ment and the Museum of 18:00-19:00 Dinner 16:00-18:00 Free time Ethnography 19:00 Departure for Gödöllô 20:00- 2nd Jury Meeting 18:00-19:00 Dinner at the hotel 20:00-21:00 Dinner Molecule of the day Useful expressions

Noble gases such as argon have a com- Budapest – as it was and as it is Round bottom flask Gömblombik plete electron octet, and thus full s and p After the practical exam you will see another bit of Budapest, been declared a World heritage site by UNESCO. The Continent’s subshells, which is responsible for their Your safety glasses are cool Király a védôszemüveged so let’s see some facts about the city and what places are worth first underground was built under this avenue. The Opera House, remarkably low reactivity. Nowadays, how- Hold this for a moment Fogd meg egy percre visiting: the “jewellery box” of Budapest, was also built on Andrássy ever, it is widely known that the heavier It’s hot Ez forró Avenue. It is a very richly decorated neo-renaissance building. noble gases have stable compounds (for It’s extremely flammable Nagyon gyúlékony The territory of Budapest has always been inhabited, but it Close to end of the avenue is Budapest’s main Roman Catholic instance XeF ). In 2000, Finnish scientists 6 Can I use your tweezers? Használhatom a csipeszed? became Hungarian only in 896 when the seven Hungarian tribes, Church, St. Stephen’s Basilica. (It was named after our first king.) managed to synthesize and character- lead by Árpád, conquered the Carpathian Basin. The first dynasty Pope John Paul II visited here, in 1991. ize the first argon compound (HArF) by The vacuum is not sufficient Nem elég jó a vákuum of Hungary, the Arpadian House, had for at time its seat in Old impinging UV light onto frozen argon con- The substance didn’t precipitate L Nem vált ki az anyag L Buda. After the Mongolian attack (13th century) the country was The most stunning stop of any exploration tour, however, may taining a small amount of hydrogen fluo- Try scratching with a glass rod Próbáld üvegbottal vakargatni reconstructed, thanks to King Béla IV who also ordered the be the Houses of Parliament, the most expensive building in ride. The molecule is extremely unstable The [ground glass] joint got stuck Beragadt a csiszolat building of Buda Castle on Castle Hill. The 14th century was the Hungary, which we’ll visit today. The ground was broken on the and decomposes above -233 ˚C. start of a prosperous period for the three towns (Old Buda, Buda quay in 1885, and the building took 17 years to complete with an (Nature, 2000, 406, 874) The burette is dripping Csöpög a büretta and Pest) which reached its peak in the reign of King Corvinus average of 1000 workers labouring at any one time. It cost 37 mil- (Darvas Mária) The fuse in the spectrophotometer blew Kiégett a spektrofotométer biztosítéka Mátyás, when Buda became the centre of culture and arts in lion gold crowns for which amount a town of 20 000 inhabitants Europe. Defeat in the Battle of Mohács (1526) began 150 years of could have been built. 40 kilos of 23 carat gold were used for the Curiousity of the day Ottoman occupation, a period of decay. interior decoration. Whenever possible Hungarian materials and Hungarian techniques were used and Hungarian master crafts- To produce intensive blue light is a real challenge. In fireworks usually CuCl is Buda was liberated by the United Christian Army, and new set- men employed. The northern and southern wings of the building used to produce blue stars, but they are never very bright. Even bigger chal- tlers arrived from German territories thus beginning the period each serves one house of the legislature. They are connected by lenge was to produce an efficient solid state device emitting blue light without The motto of the day with the Habsburgs. The Hungarian War of Independence in an enormous dome hall, which was once the site of unified ses- burning up in seconds. It has been solved in Japan in the nineties: gallium- 1848-49 was quashed and was followed with a terrible revenge sions, today the Holy Crown is on display here. The dome itself is nitride deposited on sapphire has been the right solution. Nowadays this is the A tidy laboratory means a lazy chemist. by the Habsburgs. Only after the Compromise (1867) was life 96 metres high, also as a memento of the Conquest. basis of the blue LED-s and blue laser-diodes. (J. J. Berzelius) brought back to normal. The former independently developing (Moór Anna) (Stirling András) three towns, Old Buda, Buda and Pest were united under the name Budapest in 1873. Weather Colophon Secretariat of the IChO http://www.icho.hu The 1000th anniversary of the Hungarian Conquest was celebrat- It seems to be cold, Catalyzer Pázmány Péter sétány 1/A, Budapest H-1117, Hungary ed nationwide in 1896, and countless buildings and memorials windy and rainy Journal of the 40th International Chemistry Olympiad Telephone: +36 1 372 2910, Fax: +36 1 372 29 31 were inaugurated for the occasion. The most important is Heroes’ Issue No. 5 July 15, 2008 (during the olympiad: +36 20 779 5210) today. Lab coats will square, our national pantheon. It is enclosed by two huge muse- Editorial team: Darvas Mária, Jagasics Éva, Magyarfalvi Gábor, E-mail: [email protected] not be too hot for Stirling András, Túri László, Vass Márton, Budapest www.budapest.hu ums built in the neo-classical style: the Museum of Fine Arts and today, but umbrel- Jon Baker Ministry of Education and Culture www.okm.gov.hu the Exhibition Hall. Behind the square there is City Park and the las for the trip in the Layout: Csordás Zoltán, Pál Attila Eötvös Loránd University www.elte.hu Castle of Vajdahunyad. afternoon! Photographer: Gilicze Bálint Faculty of Science http://ttk.elte.hu Press: Prime Rate Ltd. Budapest Institute of Chemistry www.chem.elte.hu In front of the square is the start of Andrássy Avenue, which has 40th International Chemistry Olympiad– 2008 Budapest, Hungary Issue No. 5 – Tuesday 15 July 2008

The practical exam – strategies and preparation The practical exam of the first Did you know…

Yesterday we spent a nice but very rainy Russia Q: Do you have any laboratory classes in your Olympiad that cows and other ruminants produce almost 20% of the and cold day at Lake Balaton or as we school? World’s annual methane emission due to their digestive pro- Hungarians proudly call it ’the Hungar- A: Yes, we have a two-hour-long labora- Q: Today is the day of the practical exam, As a result of long and exhausting research and investigation the cesses? I am sure you did and you also know that methane is ian Sea’, but the good times are over and tory class every week but it is different and I am really curious about your feelings. organizers managed to dig the problems of the practical exam from a very important greenhouse gas. However, you might not be today participants will have to face their for the different schools, for example the Are you nervous? the very first Olympiad from the archives. So look back in history, aware of some indirect consequences of the dairy production first challenge, the Practical Exam. I asked other members of the team have shorter A: No, not at all, come what may come, here they come of Hungarian cows. The most notable of them is our national some of the teams how they feel about it class. we are absolutely calm. phenomenon, Túró Rudi. This is a delicious chocolate bar and here are their answers. A(Russian guide): They were already stuffed with quark, extremely popular in Hungary, that can Q: Apart from these classes, did you have any studying this morning when I went there Problem 1 be easily recognised by its red-dotted wrapping. Every day preparatory course for the practical exam? to wake them up … more than half a million Túró Rudis are sold and eaten. As Vietnam A: Yes, we had an intensive course which There are ten test tubes in the rack at your disposal (1 – 10) and both chocolate and quark are great favourites of Hungarian lasted for one week. Q: Do you have any laboratory classes in your each test tube contains one of aqueous solutions of the following people, their combination is irresistible. But what is quark Q: Do you have any funny story that hap- school? salts: Na2SO4, AgNO3, KI, Ba(OH)2, NH4Cl, Ag2SO4, Pb(NO3)2, NaOH, exactly? Quark is produced from milk using lactic acid bacte- pened in the lab with you or your friends? A: Are you kidding? No. NH4I, KCl. ria. Their diligent work acidifies the milk and when the pH is A: I remember once our teacher touched a For identification of the particular test tubes you can use mutual lower than 4.6, casein (essential protein of milk) precipitates. hot-plate and then he told us he could not Q: How did you prepare then for the con- reactions of the solutions in the test tubes only. This precipitate is in fact quark. After some filtering and dry- feel anything with his hand. test? Determine in which order the solutions of the salts in your rack are ing it is ready for consumption. We use it for both sweet and A: We had a three-week-long preparatory and write chemical equations of the reactions you used for identifi- salt dishes. Quark is mainly produced in Central and Eastern course in Moscow during which we were cation of the salts. Europe so it is no surprise if you’ve never heard of it. So go taught to carry out some experiments. and get a Túró Rudi. Or more… as we usually do. Q: Today is the day of the practical exam, Problem 2 …and that… and I am really curious about your feelings. Singapore Are you nervous? Each of the six test tubes (A – F) in the rack contains one of the fol- the ball point pen we use almost every day was patented only A: We are a little nervous, yes. It is very lowing substances: benzoic acid, salicylic acid, citric acid, tartaric 70 years ago by a Hungarian editor, Biró László, who was exciting to be here. acid, oxalic acid and glucose. fed up with the continuous struggle with his fountain pens Determine the order in which the substances in the test tubes are (filling them up, cleaning the leaked ink, etc…). Inspired by Q: Do you have any laboratory classes in your placed in your rack and give chemical reactions you used for identi- the fact that the ink used in printing newspapers dries very school? fication of the substances. quickly, he created a new type of pen with the help of his A: Yes we have one in a week. For identification of the substances the following aqueous solutions chemist brother. For this pen he needed a new mechanism

are at your disposal: HCl, H2SO4, NaOH, NH4OH, CuSO4, KMnO4, to deliver the ink. Together they constructed the ball-point Q: What do you do in these classes? What FeCl3, KCl, and distilled water. pen – the mechanism is the same as in roll-on deodorants. kind of experiments do you carry out? The viscous ink from the ink cartridge is picked up by the little A: We do analytical chemistry mainly. We Q: Today is the day of the practical exam, Thanks to Anton Sirota for providing the texts of the problems. ball and delivered onto the paper as the pen moves along. titrate a lot and also we do some qualita- and I am really curious about your feelings. Today this ball is made of brass, steel or tungsten carbide. tive analysis, color reactions and so on. Are you nervous? The inventor’s name has been preserved in several languag- A: We are very much excited and nervous. es (English and Spanish among them) as „biro“. Ball-point Q: Do you have any funny story that hap- We would like to get over it as quickly as pens utilize gravity, so you cannot write with them upside pened in the lab with you or your friends? possible. down. How about writing in outer space with them? A: Well actually, every time we enter the (Stirling András) laboratory something is broken J. Main sponsors:

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Students Mentors and Scientific Observers Guests 07:00-08:30 Breakfast 07:00-09:00 Breakfast 08:00-09:00 Breakfast 09:00-09:30 Walk to the Grassalkovich 08:00- Translation of the Theoretical 09:00-18:00 Whole day program in the Manor House Exam Hungarian Great Plain 09:30-12:00 Team games - Theme games 13:00-14:00 Lunch 18:30-19:30 Dinner at the hotel Issue No. 6 – Wednesday 16 July 2008 12:00-12:30 Walk back 18:00-19:00 Dinner 12:45-14:00 Lunch in Gödöllô 14:00-17:00 Interactive costume play 17:00-19:00 Free time 19:00-20:00 Dinner Molecule of the day Useful expressions You know you are Hungarian… Sumanene may not appear a very excit- A copper angel whistling on a willow A fûzfán fütyülô rézangyalát ing compound at first sight. However, tree »» when feeding your guests is your main »» when zou can’t tzpe on and English kez- »» when someone says that Hungarian a closer look at this aromatic molecule His/Her sons’ things Fiaiéi (most vowels in a row) priority even if they claim they’re not board because y and z are mixed up. “is like Russian and all those other reveals that it is a fragment of buckmin- For your repeated pretending that you Meg­szentségteleníthetetlenségeske- hungry and in which case you get Slavic languages” and then you have sterfullerene, C60. The molecule is bowl- are unprofanable (longest non-com- déseitekért slightly offended/upset that they don’t »» when you believe that all geniuses and to go into great detail about the origins shaped with a bowl depth of 118 pm. Its pound word)* want your hospitality. celebrities have some relation with of Hungarian with a scolding history Hungarians. Or they just simply are lesson. name was derived from the word suman, What are you frying little furrier, are Mit sütsz kis szûcs, sós húst sütsz kis »» when you know that “a copper angel Hungarians. which means ‘sunflower’ in both Hindi and you frying salted meat little furrier? szûcs? whistling on a willow tree” is actually a »» when you know why the bells of every Sanskrit. Sumanene itself and other similar (tonguetwister) profane expression! »» when Winnie the Pooh and The church ring every day at noon. compounds may be very important in the You committed this fake crime Te tetted e tettetett tettet Flintstones is actually much funnier rational synthesis of fullerene derivatives. (tonguetwister) »» when you use fruit to make soup. translated into your language than the »» when there’s a Petôfi, a Széchenyi, and original. a Kossuth street even in the most back- (Science, 2003, 301, 1878) Our translation is ready A mi fordításunk kész »» when you tend to feel sorry for yourself ward settlement. And you can get any- (Lente Gábor) We finished printing Végeztünk a nyomtatással for no particular reason and complain »» when you know that all parts of a pig where in Hungary just by consistently I’ll go back to my room Visszamegyek a szobámba a lot. are edible, and it takes only half a day, following Kossuth street through every some friends from the countryside and towns you go through. Curiousity of the day »» when you know that the “goulash” you 2 litres of pálinka to prove it. see in many restaurants has in fact lit- »» when you are having a hard time Cold welding is an interesting phenomenon: clean, flat surfaces of a given metal tle/nothing to do with the gulyásleves »» when it surprises you again and again, explaining to foreigners that actually strongly adhere when brougth into contact under vacuum. In your opinion is it we really eat. how much more impressive and chis- when you write or say your name, your an exothermic or endothermic process? Is it a chemical process? How does the elled the Hungarian translations of family name/surname comes first. » when meeting another Hungarian in most non-Hungarian poems are than entropy change during the process? » a country outside of Hungary is amaz- the originals. »» when having a barbecue means roast- ing. ing lard on a stick and dripping the Three good ways to get thrown out from a chemistry laboratory »» when you can make astonishingly deli- grease on bread. »» when you love Túró Rudi but can’t cious dishes without spending more 1. Pretend that an electron got stuck in your ear and insist on describing the sound to the others. really explain to foreigners what the than 3 euros (krumplistészta, káposz- »» when you think bread, lard and pálinka 2. Pop a paper bag at the crucial moment when the professor is about to pour sulfuric acid. hell it is until they try it. tástészta, túróstészta). is a balanced meal as long as you also 3. Deny the existence of chemicals. have onions. (collection of J. Verhagen) »» when you have a funny accent in every »» when you can (actually) pronounce gy, other language you speak. as in “hogy vagy” – and not say hogi »» when you live abroad and wander vagi. around in a bookstore, you very fre- Weather Colophon Secretariat of the IChO »» when you call a 79 km long lake (the quently end up in the travel section, http://www.icho.hu Balaton) the Hungarian Sea. »» when friends/family celebrate your longingly staring at the photos of an We are looking for- Catalyzer Pázmány Péter sétány 1/A, Budapest H-1117, Hungary birthday by pulling your ears. unbelievably gorgeous Budapest (or ward to another Journal of the 40th International Chemistry Olympiad Telephone: +36 1 372 2910, Fax: +36 1 372 29 31 »» and you are able to swim across it! whichever city you are from). unpleasent windy Issue No. 6 July 16, 2008 (during the olympiad: +36 20 779 5210) »» when there is thermal water or a spa and rainy day. So Editorial team: Darvas Mária, Jagasics Éva, Magyarfalvi Gábor, E-mail: [email protected] »» when your language has two words in your hometown or very close to your wear your sweaters Stirling András, Túri László, Vass Márton, Budapest www.budapest.hu for love. hometown. Jon Baker Ministry of Education and Culture www.okm.gov.hu and carry an umbrel- Layout: Csordás Zoltán, Pál Attila Eötvös Loránd University www.elte.hu la with you wherever »» when you have a name day and no for- »» when people from all over the world Photographer: Gilicze Bálint Faculty of Science http://ttk.elte.hu you go today. eigner understands what that’s good keep on asking you if you understand Press: Prime Rate Ltd. Budapest Institute of Chemistry www.chem.elte.hu for. anything from the Finnish language. 40th International Chemistry Olympiad– 2008 Budapest, Hungary Issue No. 6 – Wednesday 16 July 2008

Thus the competion started. All the youngsters stood the first The three trials – fairy tale trial easily, they explored beautiful Chemilia in two exhausting Did you know… Part 1 days with the help of the Guides, the diligent green elves, and that Wigner Jenô (Eugene Wigner), the famous Hungarian physi- were ready for the second trial. On the day of the second trial cist, who developed the theory of symmetry in quantum mechan- Once upon a time there was a flourish- the brave youngsters were taken to the cave of Bunsen Burn- ics as well as achieving brilliant results in nuclear physics (Nobel ing kingdom called Chemilia. Its king was er, the dragon in soaking downpour, and dressed up in their Prize, 1963), graduated as a chemical engineer at the Technical very old and to his deepest sorrow none of white lab coat armor and glasses they gloriously defeated the University of Berlin? If not, do not worry, you are not alone. his three sons, Nicholas Calculus, Andreas dragon. After that they found the Chemilian inventions hidden Wigner was the chief designer of the first working atomic reactor Historicas and the smallest Marcus Litera- deep down in the cave and- remembering the king’s admoni- which was constructed in Chicago in collaboration with DuPont. tus, was willing to take over his sparkling tory words- started to work with them precisely and punctually. At a meeting during the project one of the DuPont engineers told ruby crown. In his despair the king finally They stood this trial too and contented with their victory waited him: “Dr. Wigner, you tell us all about nuclear physics; we are decided to find an heir to his throne in a for the third one… chemical engineers, we’ll do the rest.” “Gentlemen”, – Wigner sensational competition. replied – “you are greatly mistaken; I am a chemical engineer …to be continued too; I have my diploma from the Berlin Institute of Technology.” So he sent out many carts to all the coun- (Darvas Mária) Indeed Wigner contributed essential ideas to the design of the tries in the world to bring every youngster reactor even at the price of personal friction with DuPont. In fact, brave and clever enough to stand his tri- the extraction of Plutonium and reactor cooling required consid- als to the kingdom of Chemilia. The cart erations involving both conventional chemical engineering and called Hydrogen went to America and nuclear physics. to the far-lying Asia, the others went to of them. three trials will be awarded a medal of Au other parts of the world, but there was so The competition was opened on bright and will get the right to rule over all the many of these carts that no sane earthly Sunday morning in the fancy sparkling four provinces of my kingdom; Organica, …and that… carbon-based creature would be able theater of Chemilia with the following Inorganica, Physico-chemica and Ana- the famous mathematician, John von Neumann who contrib- to remember them all. The courageous words of the king: ‘My dear children I am lytica; and also over the treasure island uted to computer science, economics, game theory, quantum youngsters came in amazing amounts. I here to call you for a contest. The bravest called Quantummechanico on the sea of mechanics and various fields in mathematics was in fact a chemi- daresay there were more than 10-21 moles and the most clever who can stand my H O. Now listen carefully because I am 2 cal engineer? He obtained his diploma at the Technical University going to tell you what my three trials are. of Zurich, because his father had insisted that he had to get a The first one will be easy, you will have to university degree in a field more profitable than mathematics. explore my country with help the green Nevertheless, the young Neumann obtained another degree elves called Guides. If you are ready with in maths in the same year but in Budapest. He then continued it you will have to face the second trial his sparkling mathematical career in various fields. You might which is much harder than the first one, wonder if his “chemical” years in Zurich held him back from pur- you must defeat Bunsen Burner the drag- suing his math career. No, you can stop worrying. In Zurich, he on and after that learn to work with two only attended the university at the end of each semester, just to original inventions of Chemilia, the bu- sit for the exams. Due to his excellent memory he passed them rette and the pipette. All I have to say to easily. He spoke five languages (Hungarian, French, German, you is be very punctual and precise with Latin, Classic Greek) at the age of ten, he could quickly memo- them. Those who stand these trials can go rize a page from a telephone book and recite the numbers and for the last and hardest one, in which you addresses. His ability to perform lightning fast calculations was have to show how clever and smart you legendary: it was said that he could check the calculations of the are by answering my tricky questions. So first computers by performing the same calculations in his head. all I can wish you is good luck and a fair (Stirling András) contest. ’ Main sponsors:

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Students Mentors and Scientific Observers Guests 06:00-07:00 Breakfast 06:45-08:15 Breakfast 06:45-08:15 Breakfast Departure for Pannonhalma Departure for Pannonhalma 07:00 Departure for ELTE University 07:30-08:30 07:30-08:30 in two groups in two groups Visit to the abbey and the Visit to the abbey and the Issue No. 7 – Thursday 17 July 2008 09:00-14:00 Theoretical Exam 10:00-15:00 10:00-15:00 winery in two groups winery in two groups 14:00-15:00 Lunch 11:30-14:30 Lunch in two groups 11:30-14:30 Lunch in two groups 15:00-17:15 Free time in Budapest 14:30-15:00 Departure for the hotel 14:30-15:00 Departure for the hotel Reunion Party on Európa Reunion Party on Európa Reunion Party on Európa 18:00-22:30 18:00-22:30 18:00-22:30 River Boat River Boat River Boat 22:30 Departure for Gödöllô Molecule of the day Useful expressions Ervin tér, Károly körút, Király utca and Liszt spirit distilled from fresh fruit (apricot, I’m not nervous Nem izgulok Capsaicin and QX-314 are an odd couple of molecules. The shopping street Ferenc tér. cherry, pear, plum, strawberry or wild There’s totally no sense in this Ennek nincs semmi értelme The former is the chemical that makes chili peppers The Market Hall (Vásárcsarnok) is an fruits) with an alcohol content of at least Do you know the solution? Tudod a megoldást? We have already had some sightseeing but spicy, whereas the latter is a seemingly useless local imposing classical building situated 37.5 %. This trademark has several restric- I can read your mind Olvasok a gondolataidban you may have been waiting for a chance to anaesthetic that cannot enter cells on its own because in Fôvám tér. It has distinctly coloured tions in order to produce perfectly “offi- I &@$%-ed it up El &@$%-tam explore the city by yourself and today, bricks and a vividly patterned ceramic roof. cial” drinks. Champion manufactures are: of the positive charge on one of the nitrogen atoms. Let’s go see the… Menjünk el megnézni a …-t after the theoretical exam, Budapest will Ground floor, left side: seasonal products Bolyhos, Bestillo, Panyolai, Szicsek and However, when QX-314 was used together with a little Open/Closed Nyitva/Zárva be all yours. The biggest shopping area (fruits, vegetables) right side: spices, con- Zsindelyes; some of them also sell organic bit of capsaicin in experiments involving rats, the result Can I try this on? Felpróbálhatom? in Pest can be found next to the riverside fectionary, bakery, diary products, rare jams from the same kinds of fruits. was pain inhibition without blocking any other senses. How much does it cost? Mennyibe kerül? expanding out from the Great Market Hall fruits and vegetables. Basement: pickles, Paprika, another speciality of Hungary, The spicy molecule opens up an ion channel, which Can you give a discount? Tudná olcsóbban adni? at Fôvám tér to Vörösmarty tér in a north- butcher’s, oriental store. First floor: souve- is a kind of red pepper which looks a bit He/She pays for me Ô fizet helyettem south direction. This pedestrian street is lets the anaesthetic in to exert its effect only where it is nir-store, mostly folk products. like, but tastes very different from, chili. Where did you get that? Azt honnan szerezted? called Váci utca, so keep that name in needed most. There are hot (erôs) and delicate (édes) mind. There are many open-air restau- (Nature, 2007, 449, 607) variants. They are used for many kinds rants offering various traditional dishes (Lente Gábor) You might be a chemist if… of dishes which you can sample during or you may like to have a cappuccino in your stay here. In souvenir shops you can one of the elegant classical or extravagant …you think fresh air smells bad. find paprika powder in packages or dried modern cafés. paprika garlands. …you played with explosives as a kid and you still have all your As to shopping facilities, all the interna- If you stay in Hungary you must try some fingers. tional brands’ stores are represented here of the many kinds of Hungarian sausag- and you might even find some discounts if …you wash your hands BEFORE using the bathroom. es. The no. 1 sausage is definitely Pick you are lucky. If you are looking for some téliszalámi. The south-Hungarian brands (collection of J. Verhagen) nice souvenirs you can find many vintage (Gyulai, Csabai) are a good choice for the and folk handicraft stores selling pottery, sausage fan, or in whole-food stores you Attention hand-woven fabrics, embroidery, wood Specific souvenirs can buy mangalica sausages. Mangalica is carvings and traditional Easter eggs. Close (“Hungaricums”) a rather hairy pig bred in a perfectly natu- Oláh Máté the guide of the team of the USA lost his grey Budmil wallet, if someones knows something about it please do not hesi- to the shopping district there are also ral environment. tate to tell him good places for just hanging around: you Most material mementos of Hungary are For those with a sweet tooth, marzipan might be interested in Ráday utca, Szabó connected with eating or drinking so let’s may be a good choice. A famous trade- Weather Secretariat of the IChO Colophon see what the main courses for souvenirs mark marzipan is Szamos. You can find http://www.icho.hu are: The weather is get- Catalyzer Pázmány Péter sétány 1/A, Budapest H-1117, Hungary almost any flavour and form you can think ting better, at least Journal of the 40th International Chemistry Olympiad Telephone: +36 1 372 2910, Fax: +36 1 372 29 31 Hungary is at the northern frontier of the of, from plain blocks to bonbons stuffed it seems so. The tem- Issue No. 7 July 17, 2008 (during the olympiad: +36 20 779 5210) grape growing area of Europe. The lead- with liqueur, chocolate or fruit. You must perature is indeed a Editorial team: Darvas Mária, Jagasics Éva, Magyarfalvi Gábor, E-mail: [email protected] ing wine brand is the world-famous Tokaji also try the previously mentioned Túró bit higher and the Stirling András, Túri László, Vass Márton, Budapest www.budapest.hu Aszú from the Tokaj region. This is a sweet Rudi. sun seems to be shin- Jon Baker Ministry of Education and Culture www.okm.gov.hu wine made from “nobly rotten” (late har- ing, but remember: Layout: Csordás Zoltán, Pál Attila Eötvös Loránd University www.elte.hu vest) grapes. Besides wine, pálinka is also NEVER BELIEVE THE Photographer: Gilicze Bálint Faculty of Science http://ttk.elte.hu WEATHER-MAN! Press: Prime Rate Ltd. Budapest Institute of Chemistry www.chem.elte.hu a popular choice. It is an old traditional 40th International Chemistry Olympiad– 2008 Budapest, Hungary Issue No. 7 – Thursday 17 July 2008

enjoyed this day a lot, since they finally difficult than what we had previously Q: And what do you think about the results? Re-union party had the chance to show how brilliant and expected. Actually the only negative thing A: I know it is a competition still I do not Did you know… well-prepared they are. But let’s see their that I can point out is that the time was a think that the results are so important. This evening we will be able to admire that 4 years ago within one day all the opinion about the practical exam. little bit too short. We have come to participate, not to win. the picturesque view of Buda Castle (also famous and – at least for Hungarians What matters is that we have a good time a World heritage site), the Fishermen’s – quintessential paprika powder disap- Q: From among the three problems, did you here and give the best of our knowledge, Bastion, Margaret Island, the Chain Bridge peared from each and every shelf of all have a favorite or did you have one that you winning the competition is much less etc. from the Danube, as the re-union USA the Hungarian shops, supermarkets and especially disliked? important for us. party will be organised on the “Európa” restaurants? Imagine Italy without pasta, Q: The first part of the competition is already A: Dislike? Well, no. But I liked the third river boat. As a river conference ship of this the USA without hamburgers, Japan with- over so it is high time for me to ask you how task very much. You know it was qualita- scale exists nowhere else on the continent, out raw fish or Bohemia without beer you feel about it… tive analysis and we had practiced it a lot it will add a new, unique sparkle to the – that was Hungary without our beloved A: Well, our feelings are mixed and com- in the chemistry classes at school, so it hospitality for which Hungary is deser­ paprika! No goulash stew, no chicken plex. On the whole, we can declare the was particularly easy for us. vedly famous. Having discussed chemistry paprika, no fish-soup, no red spicy sau- tasks were way more difficult than those enough with the mentors, you can relax sages, no life! Hungary was paralyzed! of the previous year. Maybe it is a because and just enjoy the party! The reason was that some imported of the high level Hungarian education… (Kontsek András) paprika powder contained a poisonous As to the exercises, the first in which we substance, aflatoxin, produced by a fun- had to acetylize α-D-glucose with acetyl- Looking back on the gus. This paprika had been mixed with anhydride and then isomerize it to β-D- the original, unique Hungarian paprika glucose was a piece of cake for us. The practical exam powder and the hybrid arrived at the dis- second one was a harder task. It was a tributors. Later the total ban was revoked, Two days ago the students had to face titration exercise with which we finally another insect threatens our hero it ejects but we still remember the hard times the practical exam for which they had could cope. The real hardships came with Curiousity of the day surfactant which decreases the surface in those days. Hungarians in fact are so studied hard and prepared thoroughly. the third exercise, namely qualitative Cyprus tension, hence the attacking insect would devoted to paprika that they often use For my greatest surprise and astonish- analysis of cations and anions together. Various insects spend practically their sink if it tried to approach the clever water it for serious research. Take for instance ment books and notes could be seen in The main problem with it was the short- Q: How do you feel about the practical exam? entire life on water surface. They skate skater. On the other hand the escaping Mr. Szent-Györgyi Albert as an example. almost every hand even the very last day ness of time, I think, though I am not On the whole did you find it difficult or was it on the surface layer of water on their victim gains additional speed from the He was interested in the chemistry of cel- before the exam. According to the tech- sure that I could have managed with it easier than what you had expected? hydrophobic legs and capture other insect edge of the spreading surfactant layer. lular respiration. He identified L-ascorbic nicians who helped the students in the given we had at least three hours. In my A: This year’s tasks were not very hard. fallen into water. They in fact utilize the What do you think, can these insects acid as a key element in these processes. laboratory, it was a great experience to opinion, it was too complex. The greatest advantage of them was that surface tension and stay afloat. Some spe- jump on the surface? Nowadays we know this compound as see talented young people from so many the equipment we had to use was simple cies however apply additional trick: when vitamin C. For his isolation experiments nations working together and competing and we did not have to work with difficult he used a huge amount of paprika as with each other. high-tech laboratory instruments as it Bulgaria the source of vitamin C. The successful No wonder, thus, that the students happened last year. use of this supply of paprika landed him Q: Let me ask you about your overall feelings in Stockholm for the 1937 Nobel Price concerning the practical part of the competi- in Medicine. So it is a good occasion for tion. Was it hard for you, did it match your you to taste paprika while you are here, expectations or was it something completely in Hungary! different from what you had been preparing (Stirling András) for? A: All I can say is that the exam was a really challenging but also an enjoyable one. The exercises were not much more Main sponsors:

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Students Mentors and Scientific Observers Guests 07:00-09:00 Breakfast 07:00-09:00 Breakfast 08:00-09:00 Breakfast 08:40 Departure for Visegrád 08:00-12:00 Corrections 09:00-17:00 Visit to Esztergom and Visegrád 11:45-13:15 Medieval knight show 12:00-13:00 Lunch 17:00-21:30 Medieval knight show and Issue No. 8 – Friday 18 July 2008 dinner 13:30-15:00 Lunch 13:00-15:30 3rd Jury Meeting 21:30 Departure for the hotel 16:00-18:15 Visit to the Open Air Museum 16:00 Departure for Visegrád and folklore program in Szentendre 18:15-19:00 Folk-dance experience 17:00-21:30 Medieval knight show and dinner 19:15-21:15 Dinner 21:30 Departure for the hotel 21:30 Departure for Gödöllô Visegrád & Szentendre Molecule of the day Useful expressions Jousting tournament Lovagi torna Today we are going to take a trip to Visegrád and Szentendre. take enjoyable walks; the view from the Danube bend and the Gentisyl quinone isovalerate was recently shown to be Knock out Kiütés Visegrád is the smallest town in Hungary, but as you will see, a surrounding hills is marvelous, and the medieval knight shows the sex pheromone of the German cockroach (Blatella Ouch, that must have hurt Aú, ez fájhatott really charming one. It is located 43 km north of Budapest, on are always exciting. Germanica). This is the most common cockroach species I want to do it too Én is akarom csinálni the right bank of the Danube. Its name means high fortress. The Another tourist attraction in this region is Szentendre, a peace- around the world and is often responsible for allergies I’m with the group A csoporttal vagyok town has been populated since the New Stone Age by Celtics, ful little town, with stunningly clean air. It is famous for arts and the spread of a number of different diseases. Female Proverbs: Germans, Romans, Avars, Hungarians, and it was the seat of the and museums and is home to the Hungarian Open Air Museum cockroaches emit the pheromone to attract males. The Fortune favours the brave Bátraké a szerencse Hungarian Kings between 1325 and 1405. It gained international exhibiting the folklore, architectural characteristics, culture and American scientists who made the discovery showed that the synthetic version of the compound has the same [One can do] more by wisdom Többet ésszel, mint erôvel importance in 1335, when King Károly Róbert invited the Kings traditions of the country. It is situated in the unique and natural effect and could be an important component of future than by force of Poland and Bohemia to Visegrád to a commercial and political surroundings of the Duna-Ipoly National Park. Walking around pest control agents. He was carved from hard wood Kemény fából faragták conference. Since 1991 this old alliance has been working again. the museum „villages“, visitors can imbibe the atmosphere of the (Science, 2005, 307, 1104) (He’s tough) Its members, Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia, 19th century Hungarian countryside. The authentically furnished (Lente Gábor) Running is disgraceful but useful Szégyen a futás, de hasznos are called the “V4” or “Visegrád Four”. The Royal Palace, which rooms, the pieces of furniture, household equipment and textiles, If there is no horse, a donkey will Ha nincs ló, jó a szamár is we will certainly visit, is the place where the first meeting of the toys, churches, gravestones (in the cemetery) and mills recall the do as well Visegrád Group took place. It flourished in its greatest splendour everyday lives of earlier inhabitants. In Szentendre, there are a during the reign of King Mátyás at the end of the 15th century. further 14 museums and art galleries acquainting visitors with He had the whole Palace refurbished in late Gothic style. The the rich historical past and life teeming with arts. The town has Curiousity of the day Italian Renaissance architectural style, which appeared in the been the home of many generations of Hungarian artists. There Palace decoration, was used here for the first time outside Italy. are many shops and restaurants catering for visitors. Have a nice Ca. 56 metric tonnes of liquid gallium (m.p: 29ºC) have been used to In addition to the Palace, the medieval castle and the Citadel are day in the Danube bend! detect solar neutrinos (ν) in the nineties within the framework of a now open to the public. Along the bank of the Danube we can (Rónaszéki Nóra) A simple riddle Russian-USA collaboration. In this experiment the scientists counted the number of Ge atoms produced in the reaction: ν + 71Ga → 71Ge + e-. What weapon can you make of chemical elements This project indeed gained remarkable attention: once armed thieves Potassium, Nickel and Iron? (KNiFe) tried to steal the whole pool of ultrapure liquid gallium. (collection of J. Verhagen) (Stirling András)

Weather Colophon Secretariat of the IChO http://www.icho.hu Today will not be Catalyzer Pázmány Péter sétány 1/A, Budapest H-1117, Hungary particularly hot Journal of the 40th International Chemistry Olympiad Telephone: +36 1 372 2910, Fax: +36 1 372 29 31 and you can expect Issue No. 8 July 18, 2008 (during the olympiad: +36 20 779 5210) Editorial team: Darvas Mária, Jagasics Éva, Magyarfalvi Gábor, E-mail: [email protected] some rain too. Stirling András, Túri László, Vass Márton, Budapest www.budapest.hu Jon Baker Ministry of Education and Culture www.okm.gov.hu Layout: Csordás Zoltán, Pál Attila Eötvös Loránd University www.elte.hu Photographer: Gilicze Bálint Faculty of Science http://ttk.elte.hu Press: Prime Rate Ltd. Budapest Institute of Chemistry www.chem.elte.hu 40th International Chemistry Olympiad– 2008 Budapest, Hungary Issue No. 8 – Friday 18 July 2008

The three trials – fairy tale Did you know… Part 2 that many music historians think that the mineralogist Ignatius Born, an acquain- …Encouraged by their success in the sec- tance of Mozart, was the model for the ond trial the brave youngsters waited benevolent priest, Sarastro, in his opera impatiently to see what that mystic very The Magic Flute? Born was born as a hard third trial can be. The day between subject of the Hungarian Crown and later the two trials was spent with – besides became a key figure in the administration impatient and exited waiting – playing of the mines of the Habsburg Empire. His various games. Some of the participants greatest chemical achievement was the - namely the members group from India- perfection of the extraction of gold and still remember how vividly this day was silver by amalgamation with mercury. spent. When I asked them about it one of To present his method he organized the them told me the following: first international “chemistry” confer- ‘I liked this day very much, it was wonder- The theoretical exam- a view from the exit door ence in 1768 at the Mining Academy in ful to play with young men from so many Selmecbánya. The participants founded nations. I remember the game I liked the I asked the students just after having left A: Well we do not think that we will get an international intellectual society (with most, it was archery. The other games were ‘The game with spices was easy and it was cited, the others rather nervous. In defi- the room where they had sat for the theo- a medal though we are very glad to be James Watt, Lavoisier and Goethe later also really exciting, for example the memory a really good idea to get fake money if I won ance of the traffic jams and other mon- retical exam exhausted and tired, to tell here. becoming members). One of his cowork- game.’ the game’ sters of Chemilia their carts took them to me about their feelings concerning the ers, fellow freemason Johann Metzler, Then I asked them if there was any game So in one word that day was memorable the place of the final trial. They faced the test. Korea supposedly contributed not only to the that they already knew or was especially for the young men but good times do trial successfully the best received the Q: How are you feeing now? amalgamation experiments, but also to easy for them, for which another member not last forever, and the day of the third promised goods and he lived happily ever Iran A: I have a headache, it was so long. the libretto of The Magic Flute. Metzler of the group answered what is written trial finally arrived. The youngsters woke after…just like those who did not win the Q: How are you feeing now? Q: What were the problems about? even played a minor role in the first per- here: up with the rising sun, some of them ex- competition… A: I am so tired that I cannot feel any- A: They were basically calculations and formance of the opera. Later he travelled thing... problems related to the practical exam. much gathering mineral specimens – he Q: Yet can you say a few words about your Q: Did any of the problems surprise you, so located the cryolite Na3AlF6 on Greenland feeling concerning the test? was there anything unexpected in the test? that would later become essential in the A: It was very hard, so tough that I got a A: No, not at all. production of aluminium. Metzler died as shock on seeing the problems. Q: So everything went well which means a professor of mineralogy in Ireland. The Q: Were the calculations too hard? you were all well-prepared, but how did you crystal structure of cryolite was eventu- A: No, the calculations were actually all achieve this? ally determined in 1937 by Náray-Szabó right but there were many-many formu- A: We are from the same high-school and István, one of the first systematizers lae that I did not know. we did experiments in the laboratory to- of X-ray structures. Náray-Szabó was a A: Yes, and the time was too short. gether. We had an intense training course coworker of Bragg in Manchester but his Q: How did you prepare for it? as well. career was cut short during the commu- A: We were selected a year ago already Q: Do you have any other comments? nist takeover in Hungary when he was Attention and we have been training for it since A: Yes, we are expecting a gold medal… imprisoned on false allegations for his then, and now it seems that we only wast- A: …rather we hope to get it… stance on democratic principles. We are looking for a grey wallet which ed our time. (Magyarfalvi Gábor) was lost by a member of the Switzerland Q: I am really sorry about it. Do you have any team at the theoretical exam. other comments? Main sponsors:

Today’s programme

Students Mentors and Scientific Observers Guests 06:30-07:45 Breakfast 07:00-09:00 Breakfast 08:00-09:00 Breakfast Visit to Eger and Szalajka 08:00 Departure for Eger 08:30-16:30 Arbitration 09:00-18:00 Valley 09:30-11:15 Sightseeing in Eger 12:00-13:00 Lunch 18:00-19:00 Dinner at the hotel Issue No. 9 – Saturday 19 July 2008 Travel on the small train in 12:15-12:35 18:00-19:00 Dinner Szalajka Valley 13:45-15:30 Lunch 20:00- 4th Jury Meeting 15:30-17:45 Free time 18:00 Departure for Gödöllô 20:00-22:00 Dinner 22:00-02:00 Disco Molecule of the day Useful expressions Eger, Szalajka-völgy Can I have some wine? Ihatok egy kis bort? Norzoanthamine, an alkaloid originally isolated from Red/White Vörös/Fehér Today’s program takes us to the North-Eastern part of Hungary observe an exhibition presenting everything about these beauti- the see anemone species Zoanthus, is a promising drug Sweet/Semi-sweet/Dry/Semi-dry Édes/Félédes/Száraz/Félszáraz where we can have a glimpse of a famous spot well-known to all ful animals. candidate for the treatment of leukemia. However, its My legs hurt Fáj a lábam Hungarians. Eger is a variegated city near the Bükk Mountains natural availability is very limited. This problem has Let’s sit down Üljünk le and the river Eger. During the early Middle Ages the area was The traditions of the palóc ethnic group are preserved in Hollókô, been overcome by Japanese researchers who developed What are you doing tonight? Mit csinálsz ma este? inhabited by German, Avar, and Slavonic tribes. It was taken a lovely village consisting of a single street. Girls and boys proudly a synthetic route to norzoanthamine from commercially That’s none of your business Semmi közöd hozzá over by the Hungarians in the 10th century. St. István, the first wearing traditional costumes are the symbol of this region, available chemicals. The synthetic route involves 41 indi- Would you like to see my stamp Megnézed a bélyeggyûjtemé- Christian king of Hungary, founded an episcopal see in Eger. The which, together with its peasant houses, were named by UNESCO vidual steps and gives an overall yield of 3.5%. Although collection? nyem? main event which gives the town its importance in Hungarian as a World Heritage Site in 1987. this might seem a rather low yield overall, the average It’s party time Buli van history is the battle fought against the conquering Ottomans (Oláh Máté) step-by-step yield was an impressive 92%. Would you dance with me? Táncolsz velem? in 1552. (This has inspired an adventure-filled novel by Géza (Science, 2004, 305, 495) What happened? Mi történt? Gárdonyi entitled “Egri csillagok” – “The Stars of Eger”). A tiny (Lente Gábor) I love you Szeretlek complement of 2000 defenders achieved a victory that is still often recounted in Hungary. The medieval castle offers a wide range of programs and tournaments; delicious dishes help revi- Curiousity of the day talize fatigued visitors.

Winkler Lajos, the famous analytical chemist, after a long day was Eger itself is not only famous for its battles but has a peaceful side going home at early morning. He noticed a street sweeper as he as well. The immense Main Church and the impressive Curia of swept back and forth, to and fro the dust, making a big dust cloud Archbishops increase the splendour of the city; in addition to the Though old chemists never die, just fail to react, let us see some but obviously without any result in cleaning the way. Winkler warned Minaret and the Lyceum, they are well worth a visit. There are of their last words: him: Sir, you leave all the dust on the road! He answered resignedly: a few more intriguing places to visit, such as the Turkish Baths 1. And now the tasting test… And what about the dust you have breathed in? Taken aback and and other spas. One is almost obliged to taste the reputed local 2. …first acid then water… defeated, Winker withdrew, but later he often invoked this story as wine, Egri Bikavér (Bull’s Blood). This fragrant, aromatic and 3. Let us see the detonating gas problem… an example of a clear analytical chemistry way of thinking. rather harsh wine is renowned the world over; consequently it has (collection of J. Verhagen) become a hungaricum.

Weather Colophon Secretariat of the IChO There is a valley not so far from Eger, called Szalajka. Its name http://www.icho.hu refers to a forgotten profession, glaziers who used potash (K2CO3, It seems that at last Catalyzer Pázmány Péter sétány 1/A, Budapest H-1117, Hungary Latin sal alcalicus) to make glass. The bed of the local stream is today the weather Journal of the 40th International Chemistry Olympiad Telephone: +36 1 372 2910, Fax: +36 1 372 29 31 dammed for the sake of a school of trout that are bred here. The will favor us. Let’s Issue No. 9 July 19, 2008 (during the olympiad: +36 20 779 5210) Editorial team: Darvas Mária, Jagasics Éva, Magyarfalvi Gábor, E-mail: [email protected] valley is also known for its historical excavation in 1947, when a hope it will be a Stirling András, Túri László, Vass Márton, Budapest www.budapest.hu complete prehistoric cave was uncovered. The unique findings nice sunny day! Jon Baker Ministry of Education and Culture www.okm.gov.hu in Cave Szeleta provided an insight into the life of Cro Magnon Layout: Csordás Zoltán, Pál Attila Eötvös Loránd University www.elte.hu Man, who appeared about 35,000 years ago. The barns of Castle Photographer: Gilicze Bálint Faculty of Science http://ttk.elte.hu Pallavicini are the home of Lipicai stud horses, where visitors can Press: Prime Rate Ltd. Budapest Institute of Chemistry www.chem.elte.hu 40th International Chemistry Olympiad – 2008 Budapest, Hungary Issue No. 9 – Saturday 19 July 2008

Interview – World traditions Did you know…

A: Nightlife… we are famous for it. And that poppy seed is a mainstay of Central also laughter, laughter is everywhere in European sweets despite the use of the Greece. But to talk seriously we are fa- plant as a source of narcotics? The dry mous for our hospitality. seeds used in the kitchen do not con- Q: And can you tell me for instance a kind tain high amounts of psychoactive alka- of food that you would offer for a visitor? loids, so the cakes are safe to consume, A: Suflaki, which is a kind of meat, it is de- although sensitive drug screening proce- licious. dures can give positive results after eat- ing too many poppy sweets. Most illegal Yesterday we visited the cradle of Hun- of it? drugs are made from opium, the dried garian folklore to show you how rich it Q: What else can you mention, any tradi- Malaysia sap of the unripe poppy pods. It was a is and inspired by this certainly all of us tional food or drink that you have in Ar- Hungarian pharmacist working in rural Q: Could you tell me what is the most fa- want to get acquainted with other tradi- gentina for instance? Hungary, Kabay János, who developed mous tradition or holiday in your country tions as well. A: Yes we have the mate which is a kind and patented the extraction of morphine A: It is probably Hari Raya Aidilfitri, a two- of tea that was drunk originally drunk by alkaloids from dry poppy straw in the day-long annual religious festival. On shepherds. 1920s. This process avoided the use of Argentina these days we go to the mosque in the opium and the seeds could still be har- morning and then eat delicious dishes vested. Hungary is today still a significant Q: What are the most famous traditions of Greece at home. Everything is calm that time of producer of legal morphine alkaloids. your country? the year the streets are so abandoned on A: Well, you probably know the tango very Q: Can you mention any tradition that is these days that one could even sleep in …and that… well, which is a beautiful dance originat- specific of Greece, a thing that all visitors the middle of them. ing from Argentina. We are really proud must try? it was a professor of chemistry work- ing at the faculty of veterinary science in Budapest who first assembled a gal- vanic cell that provides electricity from an endothermic reaction? This finding of Bugarszky István was an important step in establishing free energy as the key Apology quantity when assessing the spontaneity of reactions. Question 26 in the prepara- tory problems is based on the experi- In the issue of 15th of July I have made mistake in one of the interviews for which I ments of a graduate student working would like to apologize. on this reaction at the time. It is rather First of all, the Iran group told me that they were very happy to be here at the unusual today, but the student, Dávid Olympiad, no matter what their results would be. Klein, published his results alone as a On the other hand, in the interview with the group of Pakistan and Iran I stated that single author. the Pakistan group had been preparing for one year, which was a misunderstood (Magyarfalvi Gábor) statement, but of course, they did not prepare more than two weeks in an organized manner, following the rules of the Olympiad. Once more I apologize for making this mistake. Main sponsors:

Today’s programme

Students Mentors and Scientific Observers Guests 08:00-10:00 Breakfast 07:00-10:00 Breakfast 07:00-10:00 Breakfast 09:00-12:00 Free time 08:00-12:00 Free time 08:00-12:00 Free time 12:00-13:00 Lunch 12:00-13:00 Lunch 12:00-13:00 Lunch Issue No. 10 – Sunday 20 July 2008 13:30 Departure for ELTE University 14:00 Departure for ELTE University 14:00 Departure for ELTE University 15:00-17:00 Closing Ceremony 15:00-17:00 Closing Ceremony 15:00-17:00 Closing Ceremony 18:00-22:00 Banquet at the Railway 18:00-22:00 Banquet at the Railway 18:00-22:00 Banquet at the Railway Museum Museum Museum 22:00 Departure for Gödöllô 22:00 Departure for the hotel 22:00 Departure for the hotel

Molecule of the day constant about seven times greater than that of SiO2 used so far. The insulator film 85 years after Dirk Coster and Hevesy on the gate can be prepared with the CVD György, Hungarian Nobel prize winner (chemical vapor decomposition) technol- discovered hafnium in zircon by X-ray ogy from volatile organometallic precur- Closing Ceremony and Banquet spectroscopy, semiconductor industry sors such as tetrakis(ethylmethylamino) also became interested in the outstand- hafnium, or the novel, thermally more 5 the elegant teakwood dining car built for the Orient Express ing properties of hafnium oxide. As the stable bis(methyl-η -cyclopentadienyl) in 1912. Twice a year the legendary train also pays a visit to size of logical gates is reduced, the prob- dimethylhafnium. Budapest. On top of the vintage fleet the museum features lem of controlling the on and off states of (Advanced Semiconductor Manufacturing railcars, self-powered rail cars and hand-carts, inspection the channel arises because of increasing Conference, 2007) cars, steam cranes, snow ploughs and other curiosities. The leakage current. HfO has a dielectric (Vass Márton) 2 exhibition shows the entire history of the railways from the Useful expressions steam engines to the powerful electric engines of today. Many of the trains are parked outside the roundhouse in What should I wear tonight? Mit vegyek fel ma este? a beautifully landscaped green area, where there is also a It looks good on you Ez jól áll neked The motto of the day chance to try the old machines out: visitors can drive a steam I got a gold/silver/bronze medal Arany/Ezüst/Bronz érmet kaptam Chemistry is all about getting lucky. engine, travel in a car converted for rails, operate a hand- I’m so happy Olyan boldog vagyok (R. Curl) cart, ride on the turntable and on the horse tram. The simu- Could have gone better Lehetett volna jobb is Finally the day of announcing the results and prizes has lator offers a virtual experience of driving the most powerful Can I take a photo? Készíthetek egy képet? come and after the excitement of the closing ceremony Hungarian electric railway engine, using the original equip- I’m starving Éhes vagyok Photos and reports about the we well have a unique place hosting the banquet, namely ment, while the rail-cycle challenges one’s sense of balance. I want more Kérek még the Hungarian Railway Museum. The vast roundhouse will From April to October, a vintage diesel shuttle train runs What’s the dessert? Mi a desszert? Olympiad can be found at change into a sparkling ballroom for tonight and the rails between Budapest’s Nyugati Station and the museum. It was very delicious Nagyon finom volt »» http://cenblog.org (Linda Wang riportja) give their place to the dance floor for the pleasure of those (Vass Márton) See you soon Viszlát »» www.balintgilicze.com who want to shake it a bit. I don’t want to go home Nem akarok hazamenni

The foundation-stone of the museum was laid in 1999 on the Weather Colophon Secretariat of the IChO site of the former North Depot of Budapest and after many http://www.icho.hu months of reconstruction, Europe’s first interactive railway Today the temper- Catalyzer Pázmány Péter sétány 1/A, Budapest H-1117, Hungary museum opened in July 2000, displaying over a hundred ature will be pleas- Journal of the 40th International Chemistry Olympiad Telephone: +36 1 372 2910, Fax: +36 1 372 29 31 antly warm but we Issue No. 10 July 20, 2008 (during the olympiad: +36 20 779 5210) vehicles and equipment of varying ages on an area of over Editorial team: Darvas Mária, Jagasics Éva, Magyarfalvi Gábor, E-mail: [email protected] 2 can also expect 70.000 m . The 34 bays of the roundhouse built in 1911 Stirling András, Túri László, Vass Márton, Budapest www.budapest.hu provided an ideal home for the vintage fleet, which includes some rain. Jon Baker Ministry of Education and Culture www.okm.gov.hu Layout: Csordás Zoltán, Pál Attila Eötvös Loránd University www.elte.hu the oldest operating steam engine from 1870 and the leg- Photographer: Gilicze Bálint Faculty of Science http://ttk.elte.hu endary Árpád railcar from 1934, which sped from Budapest Press: Prime Rate Ltd. Budapest Institute of Chemistry www.chem.elte.hu to Vienna in under three hours. The gem of the collection is 40th International Chemistry Olympiad – 2008 Budapest, Hungary Issue No. 10 – Sunday 20 July 2008

The program of the singing in the Honvéd Male Choir, two of them are members A: I liked Hungarian food, but the rice with yoghurt [milk-rice (the editor)] Did you know… of this ensemble even today. In 2002 the two other members was strange for me, really, but I liked it. transferred to the National Choir, where they still work. The Q: Do you have anything else to share with your companions? Closing Ceremony: that Furka Árpád and his colleagues at Eötvös Loránd repertoire consists of their favourites: the American music of the A: I was surprised that most students were very fluent in English, my English University developed a new synthetic method that 1920s and 30s, the so called Barbershop Style, the adaptations also improved, and it was good to be together with people with so many revolutionized pharmaceutical research and drug of evergreens, Hungarian hits and spirituals. nations. discovery and led to the foundation of a new branch The Szabó-Ernyei duo is a peculiar formation with the unusual of science called combinatorial chemistry? Furka combination of brass winds and accordion borrowing a unique Árpád graduated first as a chemistry teacher then sounding to their music. The two musicians could match a whole Ukraine as a chemist from the University of Szeged and ensemble with their virtuosity. They mostly play Baroque works became a professor at Eötvös Loránd University. His with their special scoring, often appearing at scientific or innova- Q: First of all I would like to know how you feel about this Olympiad as a whole? “split-mix synthesis” strategy, conceived in 1982 tion events, maybe because their music is strongly innovative on A: It was very good to be here. The rooms were nice, the whole hotel was and published in 1988, made it possible to prepare classical bases. beautiful, the meals were tasty, really, I liked it very much. more compounds in a week than have been made »» Performance of Four Fathers Quartet Q: What about the competition? What result do you think you have achieved? in the previous history of chemistry. The possibil- A: I feel that the exams were good and not too difficult. The theoretical test ity to prepare an almost unlimited number of com- »» Film: Maestro was a little bit harder for me. pounds captured the imagination of pharmaceutical Interviews – the Olympiad from Q: Do you think that you will be awarded with a medal? scientists all over the world. This idea has changed »» Speech of Jung-Il Jin, President of IUPAC A: I hope so. the participants’ point of view the way how new chemical libraries (collection of Q: Now to talk about the free time activities, I am curious about which program compounds) are designed and prepared for subse- »» Performance of Four Fathers Quartet The Olympiad is over, the only thing that remains from the pro- was your favorite? quent biological activity or functional assays. The gram is the Closing Ceremony where the awards will be given A: I liked everything, all the trips were wonderful and exciting. method was originally developed for the synthesis of »» Speech by Greiner István, vice-president of the Hungarian out. Certainly this week will be memorable for all of you, but I am Q: How did you like, for instance, the tournament yesterday? peptide libraries based on the solid-phase synthetic Chemical Society and Deputy Director for Research of Richter also sure that you have been moved by different things. I asked A: It was amazing I have never seen such a show before. strategy introduced by Prof. Bruce Merrifield at the Gedeon Plc. some of the groups about their opinion on the 40th IChO: Q: Last week you had the opportunity to taste traditional Hungarian food. What Rockefeller University. is your opinion about it? Subsequently it was adapted for the preparation of »» Accordion and brass winds duet by the Szabó Csaba and Ernyei A: Everything was tasty, I liked it very much. all other classes of compounds. Later on he devel- László Japan Q: Do you have anything else to share with your companions? oped the string synthesis procedure at the Advanced A: It was very nice to be here in Hungary and I will never forget this Olym- ChemTech Inc. (Louisville, KY, USA), which is one »» Evaluation of the results Q: First of all I would like to know how you feel about the Olympiad piad. of the most efficient methods for preparing discrete as a competition? compounds in several milligram quantities. The »» Performance of the Four Father quartet A: It was difficult still it was a very interesting competition. I en- achievements of Prof. Furka have been highlighted joyed it very much. by the Széchenyi Prize in 2002. He was the first »» Distribution of awards and special prizes Q: What result do you think you have achieved? Honorary President of the freshly formed European A: Well I would be really happy with a silver medal, though I sup- Society of Combinatorial Sciences and the chairman »» Speech of Kotschy András, President of the Organizing Com- pose I am going to get a bronze medal. of the Eurocombi-1 (Budapest 2001), the first sym- mittee of the 40th IChO Q: Now to talk about the free time activities, I am curious about which posium of this society. Combinatorial thinking and program was your favorite? the combinatorial methods combined with high- »» Handing over the IChO Flag and speech by Peter Wothers A: The trips were nice, but I preferred day spent in the park play- throughput biological screening became so power- ing games. ful that its use is gradually expanding to fields out- The Four Fathers Quartet was founded in 1995. They sing “a A: …and football, it was great. side pharmaceutical research like catalysis research, capella”, which means that they perform without the accom- Q: Last week you had the opportunity to taste traditional Hungarian material sciences and evolutionary biology. paniment of musical instruments. For years they have been food. What is your opinion about it? (Dibó Gábor) Main sponsors: Sponsors: Partners:

Issue No. 11 – Monday 21 July 2008 Did you know… Molecule of the day that medieval Hungary was the greatest source of gold and silver for Sila-adamantane is the silicon-containing analog of Europe, providing a rich source of income for the Hungarian kingdom? adamantane. Unsubstituted sila-adamantane itself is The mines in the Carpathian ranges were known in Roman times extremely difficult to prepare because of the low stability and were at the forefront of advances in mining technology, geology of Si-H bonds. A substituted derivative of the molecule, and chemistry. For example the first peaceful use of black powder, however, was prepared by Austrian scientists in 2005. underground blasting, was introduced on February 8th, 1627 in Crystalline silicon is an exceptionally important material Selmecbánya (German: Schemnitz, Slovak: Banska Stiavnica). This for the modern semiconductor industry. Sila-adamantane town was the seat of a mining school already functioning in 1735 that is a molecular analog of the basic structural unit of the was the first institute of technology to receive university status in 1770. Si lattice, and may find widespread application in device The excellent education and the syllabus that introduced chemistry miniaturization and molecular electronics. laboratory practices for the first time attracted students and scholars (Science, 2005, 310, 825) from as far away as South America. The d’Elhuyar brothers, the discov- (Lente Gábor) erers of vanadium, and Alessandro Volta also visited the institute. (Magyarfalvi Gábor) …and that… the Danube, our beautiful, majestic river was once a virtually inexhaust- ible source of gold for many many people? They did what is known as gold-washing professionally for a living. Gold-washing was already a well-known method in Ancient Times to obtain gold for trade. The tech- nique is simple but laborious and very dangerous to your health. What you get at the end of your fatiguing gold-washing day are fine gold particles which are difficult to separate from their accompanying impu- rities. Separation was accomplished using mercury in three steps. First the gold particles were amalgamated using mercury drops. Then the remaining mercury and the amalgam were separated by squeezing this “solution” manually through a tight cloth. During the squeezing, mercury drops percolated through the cloth while the pasty amalgam remained inside. In the last step this amalgam was heated and after The motto of the day Hg had evaporated, the gold (in the form of a kind of sponge) from the Danube was recovered. From where do you think those people got the All that glitters may not be gold, but at least it has free elementary mercury to do this job? electrons. (Stirling András) (J.D. Baemal)

Weather Colophon Secretariat of the IChO http://www.icho.hu Today the temper- Catalyzer Pázmány Péter sétány 1/A, Budapest H-1117, Hungary ature will be pleas- Journal of the 40th International Chemistry Olympiad Telephone: +36 1 372 2910, Fax: +36 1 372 29 31 antly warm but we Issue No. 11 July 21, 2008 (during the olympiad: +36 20 779 5210) Editorial team: Darvas Mária, Jagasics Éva, Magyarfalvi Gábor, E-mail: [email protected] can also expect Stirling András, Túri László, Vass Márton, Budapest www.budapest.hu some rain. Jon Baker Ministry of Education and Culture www.okm.gov.hu Layout: Csordás Zoltán, Pál Attila Eötvös Loránd University www.elte.hu Photographer: Gilicze Bálint Faculty of Science http://ttk.elte.hu Press: Prime Rate Ltd. Budapest Institute of Chemistry www.chem.elte.hu 40th International Chemistry Olympiad – 2008 Budapest, Hungary Issue No. 11 – Monday 21 July 2008

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