The theoretioal introduction is follom.ed by thrco chapters on esperimental results and their interpretation, for gases, liquids, and solids. This section includes recent work on solutions of electrolytes, radar-range dispersion, ferroelectrics, electrets, and polymers-all subjects which have been opened to research since 1930. Chapter VI is a compact review of measuring methods and includes a n excellent bibliography. Chapter VII is a practical account of what to do with data. once the measurements have been made. Chapters VIII to XI11 (pp. 228402) contain a, systematic treatment of therelationships between dipole moments and molecular structure for typical examples of all the chemical compounds which have ever been investigated. The b w k closes with a. useful chapter on electronic and atomic
For example, t,he dielectric constant is roproscnted by K in an equation on page 39 with a reference to a later section (page 368) in which the same equation is discussed in detail, but using r instead. There is no list of symbols. The omission is defended by the following statement: " . . .since the symbols are those used by specialists, a list of symbols would serve no useful purpose, the same symbols being used with different meanings by actual workers in the different fields." Such defects as these are not sorious and will not delay a mature reader, but they are liable to delay a. student This book, like others of the series, seems most useful to those who seek a comprehensive presentation of physical chemistry from which they can make their own selection. I t should also be useful to students who are already acquainted with the subject and who wish to explore its background further.
of information RAYMOND M. FUOSS
YALEUh-rvznsmu NEWHAVPN.CONNECTICUT
EXPERIMENTS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY AN ADVANCED TREATISE ON PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY. VOLUME 5: MOLECULAR SPECTRA AND STRUCTURE. DIELECTRICS AND DIPOLE MOMENTS 1. I.. Portington, Emeritus Professor of Chemistry, University of landon. Longmans, Green and Co., New Yot.k, 1954. x 565 pp. Many figs. and tables. 16 X 25.5 cm. $15.50.
+
Louis F. Fieser, Sheldon Emery Profea40r of Organic Chemistry, Harvard University. Third edition. D. C. Heath and Company, Boston, 1955. xii 368 pp. Many figs. and tables. 18 X 23.5 cm. $5.25.
+
FROM inside the front cover whieh in bold type tell8 you &at to do "in case of accidents," to infiido the hack cover whieh eontains tables of atomic weights, acid and hase constants, and THE volume continues the well known series. The first data, on buffer solutions, this lnhoratory text is "top-notch." 286 p a g u are on molecular spectra, continuing the subject of Previous editions have enjoyed wide popularity among academic the preceding volume on physieoohemical optics. Most of the organic chemists. In the opinion ot the reviewer the third edition other 279 pages are on the properties of dielectrics. There are will be even more widely popular. The text is profusely illua77 pages on the measurement of dielectric constants, 177 trated with photographs, line drawing*, and graphs. Sixteen page8 on dipole moments, snd 12 pages on hypereleetrics. The color photographs showing various pieces of apparatus and various operations are included in the first eight pages following the index has 13 pages. This series is generally comprehensive rather than critical. table of contents. Most of those are reproduced in black and In the present volume, however, the author notes that some of white a t the appropriate point in the text. There artre also numerthe sections on molecular spectra. are based on lectures given over ous plates showing ultmviolet and infrared absorption spectra a period of years, and that he has firathand howledge of certain at various compounds. The format of the t e r t is, in the opinion of the reviewer, the subjects in the latter part of the volume. A more unified and critical treatment and a mare selective citation of references best of any similar hook on the market and is far superior to the previou~edition. The type is relatively large and bold with make these sections more valuable than most in this series. This volume refers freely to previous ones in the series. Al- adequate spacing to facilitate reading. The margins are t.wo t,hongh suoh references prevent this volume from standing by inches wide. Section headings and succinct notes are shown in itself, i t is easier to read, for the discussion is not encumbered bold-face type in the margins. The paper is of a good quality with details of ohvsies and chemistrv that manv readers will and the binding is very good. Dr. Fieser suggests that theattraative cover can he preserved if treated with three coats of clear plastic lacquer. This edition maintains the high standards set by previous the wave equation, on mat,riix trmsformstians, and on group edition8 with regard to the experiments included and the discussion of special labomtory techniques. A section on use theory. The treatment leads up to, but does not usually include, tho of the literature discusses recently published rcforences such as topics of current research interest. Even when current topics "Elsevier's Encyclopedia of Orgmir Chemistry" and Velluz's are included, the viewpoint is that of years or decades ago, with "Substances Naturelles de Synthi~e." There are also seotions on salventa and reagents, of which the section on reagents more recent ideas presented as modifications. There are many loose statements and minor errors in some sec- deserves special commendation. The 320 reagents included are tions. For example, on page 34, "The average restoring force arranged alphabetically and are also indexed according to type'/.kz may be regarded as measuring the strength of the bond. e. g., slkylating agents, eomplering agents, etc. Tho list necesThe table following gives sarily could not be oomplete but does contain many reagents Some values calculated are: . the wave number for the bond and k, but not '/rkz. Also, whieh have found application in only one specialized field. the units of k are given in the tab10 as dynes, which would be The citstion usually includes the molecular weight, physical cancorrect for '/&z and those of '/&a (a is the maximum value of z) stants, name of supplier or reference to a method of preparation further on in the t e r t as ergs. (Units are treated carelessly when the reagent is not commeroislly availahle, and leading refthroughout. The volt is used interchangeably, without apology erences to literature pertaining to reactions and use8 of the reor explanation, as a unit either of energy or of potential, as has been agent. There are many literature references, more than 200 the practice in lahoratory jergon. Wave number and frequency as recent as 1953. are distinguished in the symbols, but not always in the text.) On page 35, r in the first equation is not the r of the referenced figure, whereas r in the next line of the same equation is. Symbols and terminology are not consistent throughout the semimicro experiments; more synthetic reactions sequences with hook, but apparently depend an the usage of the authors cited. alternative routes and procedures, which permits the student to.
. .."
