S E W BOOKS
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of m a n y pages in length direct from t h e original literature, as is done, for example, i n pp. 243-287. Binding a n d typography a r e excellent, E. J. MEEHAN. u n d / h e i r f k / , i i , a / i c e s . Hy A . \V. Ii.\i.sros. S e n . Y o r k : J o h n W l e y a n d Sons, I n c . , London: C‘hapiuan e n d H a l l . L t d . . 1918. T h i s hoolt is ii inost valuable addition t o t h e increasing *American literature on f a t t y :tcids a n d oils. T h e organization is good. a n d coverage of t h e various subjects is quite complete, there being over 5000 well-chosen references in t h e txyelve chapters ccmposing t h e book. T h e numerous tables a n d graphs a r e \yell printed. T h e first five chapters deal with t h e f x t t y acids. their .syntlirsis. structure, physical properties, occurrence in n a t u r e , a n d methods of preparation from natural f a t s . T h e remaining chapters arr o n t h e derivatives of f a t t y acids, their synthesis, properties, aiicl uses. Reactions of t h e hydrocarbon chain (oxidation. addition, substitution, polynierization) a r e discussed according t o t h e t y p e of reacTiori. Reactions iiivolving t h e carboxylic acid group are classified according t o t h e structure of t h e derivatives (esters, aniides, nitriles. amines. alcohols. ethers, mercaptans. sulfides, sulfonates. anhydridcs, acid chlorides, aldehydes. ketones. hydrocarbons. a n d soaps). C h a p t e r VI11 on t h e amides, nitriles a n d amines is particularly complete a n d Tyell-orgxnized. as would be expected from t h e special interest a n d experience of t h e author in this field, evidenced by his s t a t e m e n t , “Few, if a n y , series of derivatives of naturally occurring or synthetic substances possess t h e intrinsic academic and coinniercial interest which is t o he found in t h e nitrogen-containing derivatives of t h e fatty acids.” T h e section on metallic soaps is ruther short a n d makes bare mention of t h e considerable literature on physicnl a n d colloidal properties of aqueous soap solutions. T h e inclusion of an author index would a d d greatly t o t h e value of t h e book, as mould t h e alpliabetical listing of references. which are listed nuniericallyat t h e ends of t h e chapters. T h e duplications which exist lict\yeen this hook a n d Marklev’s recent Fatty .-lcids are inevitable, h u t t h e organization a n d emphasis of t h r tn-o books a r e sufficiently different so t h a t thpy complement one a n o t h r r very n.cl1. T h e frequent mention of a c t u d a n d suggested uses of t h e derivatives a d d s much t o t h e usefulncss of t h e book. This hool; should be owned by r w r y person working in fields related t o f a t t y acids antl their derivatives. I)OS.U,I) H. WHEELER. F ! i / t { / .icids
S y n t h e i i c S I e ! h o t l s 0.f O i g a i i i c Chr>;,iistr!/.-1 Thesaurus. l3y \V,THEILHEIMER, Vol. I, 19421914. !Yiih :Lforen-ord hy T . REIcHs,rEIx. Translated by H ~ s \VYSBERG. s s 251 p p . S e w Yo1.1.:: Interscicnce Publishers, l n c . . 19%. Price: S5.00. T h i s , ? h e first of a series of projected volumes. deals ~ v i t ht h e literature of 1942-1914. Reactions nre classifiedLtccording t o a n wdnptation of the systen; devised by\Veygand. T h e chirf Lases of t h e classification are i c i ) tlir elements linked together when n new bond is formed, (b’) Jvhether t h r reaction is addition, rearr:ingenient. exchange, or elimination, and !c! t h e t y p e of bond Tv!iieh is l)rolie1i. T h i s , conihinetl with n definite older of t h e elements iII. 0 , S.S. H x l . , etc.! anti tlir “priuciple of 1e.test position.” 1)orroiyed from Beilstein, leads t o :t rigid order in n-hich reactions will be considcrecl--an index, so t o spesli, arrxnged on a cliffpreiit \insis frum the a1ph:thericnl. S o t :ill of t h e possihle perniutntions and coni11iiintio:is xrc wprcsexitec!, lio\vcvcr. The iiidivitluul cnrrics :ire slictchy. 1)ut complete enough t o c o n w y a p r e t t y good i d e s of t h e m e t h o d . antl references t o t h e original a r t i c l w (and t o Ciicnzical abstract.^ for t h i s English editioii) :ire included. Tlie ilook is not primarily :t tiooli on laboratory methods, l)lut, R S t h e author s t a t e s , “ I n this series of volumes there a r e going t o be recorded regularly neiv methods for synthrsis of organic compounds, improvements of known methods,” e t c .
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