hy Neckeri and Dcylr joins the half dozen or other rurh texts ~ h i r hhave a p p ~ n r r din the last several years attempting to capture some of the market which has heen dominated for more than a decade by the text authored by Morrison and Boyd. In a somewhat unusual venture, with this entry by Neckers and Doyle and a 1976 book by Salamons, the publishen (Wiley) have committed themselves to two full-year texts. But it is probable that the two bwks are meant to serve slightly different audiences with the text by Neckers and Doyle appearing somewhat mare rigorous. Neckers and Doyle claim as their goal providing a modern, thorough introduction to organic chemistry. This reviewer believes that they have achieved that goal admirably. The book integrates nicely the areas that form the bulwark of organic chemistry: structure, reactions, mechanism, and synthesis. The functional group approach is retained and the pedagogically sound technique of reinforcement is utilized by recalling a previously introduced topic before expanding into a related area. In contrast to the slow start that some view as a criticism of Morrison and Boyd's textbook, Neekersand Doyle treat the common functional groups a t a much earlier stage. In typical fashion, whereas the halogenation of alkanes is mentioned an p. 50 as a means of preparing alkyl halides, the detailed free radical chain vncchaniim is d~scusaedinure appruprinrdg much later in ('haplrr I. under the grnrral I w i c uf hcmolstic rvacliuni. This a .~. ~ n hu c allows for an early overview of the major features of organic chemistry and aids understanding and perspective. The functional group approach is not purely traditional, however. Instead of relegating each group t o its own chapter, Neckers and Doyle combine the related functionalities to emphasize the interrelationships and similarities (Chapter 11, compounds containing carbon, hydrogen. and oxygen; Chapter 16, compounds containing carbon, hydrogen and nitrogen). Spectroscopy and stereochemistry are introduced early (Chapters 4 and 9, respectively) and interwoven appropriately throughout the remainder of the hook. Chapter 6 provides a unique introduction to (Continued on page A320) it,
An introduction to General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry Norman L. Allinger, M.Jerome Bigelow, and Harmon C. McAllister. Wadsworth Publishing Co., Inc., Belmont, California, 1976. xxii 582 pp. Fig. and tables. 17.2 X 24.2 em.
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This hook allots 14 chapters (244 pp) to general and inorganic chemistry, 10 chapters (146 pp) to organic chemistry, and 11chapters (109 pp) plus 5 supplements (31 pp) t o biological chemistry. Part 1contains a fairly standard semester of work, with topics ranging from measurements through elements, reactions, atomic structure, periodicity, bonding, solutions, the kinetic-molecular theorv. ..eauilibrium. oxidation-reduction. electrochemi~try,the &nosphere, and nuclear chemistry. Part 2 offers relatively short chapters on hydrocarbons, oxygenated compounds such as alcohols and ethers, earhonyl compounds, carhoxylic acids, steroids, amines, natural products, polypeptides and proteins, and carbohydrates. Part 3, in turn, devotes 5 chapters to nucleic acids and proteins, 1 chapter t o blood chemistry, and 5 chapters to various aspects of metabolism. In addition, the supplements of Part 4 deal with the make-up of cells, enzymes, photosynthesis, nutrition and digestion, and hormones. Twosppendices, one on weights and measures and the other on properties of water, are also included. The book concludes with an extensive index. Eachchapter in the first two parts contains a number of questions interspersed through the text, and ends with a brief summary, solutions to questions in the text, and a further group of general questions. Answers to most of the latter are provided toward the end of the book. Part 3 is similar, hut contains no questions in the text, and usually only 3 or 4 general questions a t the end uf each chapter. Key words and phrases are underscored in all chapters. ~
This book makes a very good imprrssiun. The nuthors have admirahly met theirswted goal ofdesignmg a t ~ x l kfor the nunsrienr~ major. Consumer and environmental eoncerns have been integrated into the text as extensions of basic chemical principles, with the primary emphasis on the latter. This is done in such a skillful manner that the authors have avoided both condescension and sensationalism, which seem t o have inevitably crept into many texts designed for the nonscience major. Of course, there are some subjective statements which will not evoke universal agreement, but these have certainly been minimized. The level of presentation is high compared toother booksdesigned far a terminal course. The section on general and inorganic chemistry would compare favorably with the corresponding chapters in some texts designed far the regular first-year course. The production of the book is excellent. It is well-illustrated, and with a certain amount of humor in some places. Although there probably are some, the reviewer did not notice asinglemisprint. In all, this hook represents a significant contribution to its class, and should receive serious consideration for adoption as a text for one-year, terminal courses designed for nonscienee majors.
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Carl D. Slater Memphis State University Memphis,. Tennessee 38 152
Organic Chemistry Douglas C. Neckers, Bowling Green State University, and Michael P. Doyle, Hope College. John Wiley & Sons, New York, 1977. xxxvi 1147 pages. Figures and tables. 18 X 26 em. $21.95
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The organic professor has yet another full-year text from which to choose. This book
Volume 54, Number 7, July 1977 / A319
