BOOK
REVIEWS
General Chemistry Laboratory Text
Wilbert Hultm, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio. Charles E. Memill, Columbus, Ohio, 214 pp. Figs. and tables. 1965. ix 21 X 27 cm. $4.25.
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Laboratory manuals which stultify interest in chemistry and others which do not effectively promote much interest are available, and used. At the larger schools, with the consequent logistics problems, it has only rarely been found practicable to use a laboratory manual for the beginning course which is a t the same time stimulating and administrable in the hands of an inexperienced graduate student teaching assistmt. This semi-solution to a. formidable problem is no longer necessary.
This manual can be used by teaching assistants, subject to the condition that these instructors are guided in the development of standards applicable to theevahation of essay type lahoratory reports. To this end, the author has provided leading questions for the ~tudent,to accompany most of the laboratory assignments. Perhaps the mast distinguishing feature of this publication is the author's insistence that it is a laboratory teztwith good reason. The discussions which accompany each of the twenty-three experiments are similar in style to the discussions in a textbook, though rather more informal. The interpretation of the data. that is required in some instances will present a challenge to many students: calculation of determinate error when a
hypothetical (described in detail) mistake was made by a student investigator; some aspects of the descriptive chemistry of vanadium and its application to qurtntitative andysiis; preparation of, and discussions about, graphical summaries of the data in which functions of the raw data. are plotted; choosing between two suggested reaction mechanisms; and consideration of activity coefficients and activities are t,ypical examples. Following the informal, thorough discussion of the principles (comprehension of these is stated to be the major explicit aim of this text) that are to be illustrated by the experimental phenomena, are detailed eook-hook directions for the conduct of the study. But this attention to labmatmy directions is only superficially questionable; by the clarity of the preceding discussions and the vigor of the suggestions to the student concerning matters to he discussed by him in his written report, themanual (sorry, the text) stimulates intelligent, provocative, interest in chemistry. It is clearly the first really successful attempt to display the function of the laboratory to students who are supervised by graduate student teaching assistants. The single criticism which could be directed against this fine effort is the limited number of experiments provided. Fraternity files on the twenty-three experiments will surely be developed at the larger institutions. But, now that the author has shown us how to do it, many of the experiments suggested in THIS JOURNAL, 42, 463-495 (1965) can be
Reviewed in this Issue Wilbert Hutton, General Chemistry Laboratory Text Michael J . 8.Dewar, An Introduction to Modern Chemistry Lloyd N. Ferguson, Textbook of Organic Chemistry William A. Bonner and Albert J . Cmtro, Essentials of Modern Organic Chemistry John R. Dyer, Applications of Absorption Spectroscopy of Organic Compounds Nicholas D. Cheronis, John B. Entrikin, and Ernest M . Hodnett, Semimicro Qualitative Organic Analysis R. B. King, Organometdic Syntheses. Volume I, Transition-metal Compounds S. Cofey, editor, Radd's Chemistry of Carbon Compounds. Volume 1, Part C, Monocmbonyl Derivatives of Aliphatic Hydrocarbons, Their Analogues and Derivatives E g a Slahl, editor, Thin-Layer Chromatography: A Laboratory Handbook Paul Becher, Emulsions: Theory and Practice J . Lee Kauanau, Structure and Function in Biological Membranes. Volume 2 Howard H. Faweett and William S. Wood, Safety and Accident Prevention in Chemical Operations K . Gwy, Laboratory First Aid R. H. Wright, The Science of Smell Dmzald R. Coughannur and Lowell B. Koppel, Process System Analysis and ConJoseph S . Annino, Clinical Chemistry: Principles and Procedures New volumes in continuing series
added to the list. The author himself states that this edition is experimental (an apt choice of word); I hope that he will he able to prepare either an expanded version, or one or two alternate versions with different experiments in each, within a year or two. I t is a pleasure to review a manual which succeeds better than my own to do what I personally feel strongly should be done (at least for the Large schools). Hutton hasgiven mesome ideas how to do it still better; I hope the same occurs tn others. I t is long past the time when real chemistry should be taught to first year chemistry students. With this important publication t o show one effectiveway, and plenty of room for good competitors, the time is here for several to make a valid attempt. JAY.4. YOUNG King's College Wilkcs-Bawe,Pennsylvania
An Introduction to Modern Chemistry
Michael J . S. Dmar, University of Texas, Austin. Oxford UniversityPress, New York, 1965. 209 pp. Figs. and tables. 15 X 23 cm. $2.95. This characteristically lively book by Professor Dewar is intended "to give a general outline of the principles of modern chemistry to a reader who has some basic knowledge of chemistry and physics but is unfamilim with modern chemical theory." The book is based on lectures which the author gave to first year students of the University of London "origindly with the object of counteracting the very oldfashioned courses they had had at school." He and his colleagues were thus enabled to "teach inorganic and organic chemistry right from the start in terms of modem orbital theory and the transition state approach to reactivity." As a veteran of "Prince Albert's Chemical Curriculum" (PACC) the reviewer feels that the second of these objectives must have been achieved and, though the book is soma what uneven, that the other two are =asonably well encompassed in so brief a space. The first three chapters-Evidence for the Atomic Theory, The States of Matter and The Structure of Atoms; [sic] Nuclear Chemistry-are rather perfunctory save for the odd phrase or off-best example. But in Chaper 4--The Breakdown of Classioal Mechanics, and the Rise and Fall of the Old Quantum TheoryProfessor Dewar hits his stride: his stride and not, as is so often the case these days in books of this k i d , themimic stride of a Pauling or a Coulson or an Orgel. This chapter and the following two on wave mechanics and Atomic and Molecular Struoture are the best part of the book (though several of the diagrams are poorly executed) and most students and not a few teachers could r e d them with pleasure and profit. They are an excellent example of how to be non-mathemati d without being superficial. The remaining two chapters-Equilibrium;
Volume 42, Number 72, December 7 965
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little is postponed for later consideration. Occasionally perplexity threatens: for example, epoxide reactions with Grignard reagents are covered on p. 262, but no attempt to account for the reactivity of epoxides appears until p. 342. NORMAN KHARASCR A few typographical errors and occaUniversity of Southern California sional lapses of grammar appear, bowLos Angdes sprit bonds are mislabeled, and some factual statements about reactions are incorrect. These items are, in my judgment, f m less serious than two sources of major disappointment. Nomenclature is Esrentimls OF Modern Organic Chemistry treated very lightly in this text. Formulas in the text are named, but little direct William A . Bmner, Stanford University, instruction in nomenclature is given after Stanford, Cdifornia, and AWwt J. alkanes. Several key illi~strations are Caslro, San Jose Stat,e College, San Jose, improperly named, and the symbol P (for California. Reinhold Pnhlishing Corp., para) is used in names a hundred pages New York, 1965. xviii 645 pp. before its meaning is mentioned. Figs. and tables. 16 X 23.5 cm. The second major disappointment, and $R.95. more puzzling than nomenclature, is the lack of follow-through on energy relations, Titles are sometimes unhelpful, sometimes even presumptuous, but "E~sentials so well developed in the "introduction." Although the authors have illustrated of Modern Organic Chemistry" is a welleffectively the relationship of alternate chosen title for this text. "Essentials" transition state energies on relative rates of implies selection, the comparative size of DEREKA. DAVENPORT the text necessitates selection, and the reaction, they still discuss orientation in Purdue University aromatic substitutions solely in terms of selection has been made with a goad eye Lafayette, Indiana ground state electron density distributions. toward what presently concerns organic Similarly the effect of a substituent on the chemists. Dates cited include 1964 and relative stability of a carboxylic acid and 1965. Some professors may quarrel wit,h the carboxylate anion is not considered in a the actual sseleetions. hut most will be discussion of acid dissociations; attention ~mtifir.1to find n3t;dcrn o r ~ n n i vtext of is focused only on the acid. One wonders nmrr r n ~ ~ ~ ~ t i g-iw w l ~tha~a l v it. likclv c o w what the earlier development of energy repetitors. Textbook of Organic Chemistry lationships in the abstract was for. The distinguishing feature of this text An amusing, probably unintended parois the lengthy "introduction" of 6 chapters Lloyd N . Fe~gusm,Howard University, chialism shows through in the selection of (118 pages) which develops the language Washington, D.C. 2nd ed. D. Van individual chemists for identi6cation; and concepts of organic chemistry before Nostrand Co., Inc., New York, 1965. identification with affiliation is restricted attention is given to classes of compounds. 755 pp. Figs. and tables. 16.5 xii largely to Californians. The first postuThis section includes discussions of stereoX 23.5 cm. $11.75. late of bename intermediates is mistakenly isomerism, spectroscopic data, molecuIn a review of the first edition of this attributed to a California chemist in 1956. lar orbitals, reaction intermediates, textbook (J. CHEM.EDUC.,36,259 [1959]), The book is well illustrated. Threeand energy relations during reactions. it was stated that "Teachers who present dimensional drawings and tables are well The next 8 chapters are concerned with an general courses of organic chemistry to a. done, and good choices of naturally ocintegrated treatment of functional group broad spectrum of students and who are curring examples of each functional group classes of compounds. A full chapter an not looking for a radically different book class have been included. In places the Optical Isomerism (particularly wellshould find Dr. Fergusan's book of interest writing seems genuinely inspired, enough written) and one on Natural Products far consideration." I t was pointed out so to make the disappointments all the (mostly carbohydrates, with some reacthat the approach of the text was direct, mare keen. tions not usudly included) complete the that the style was clew and friendly, and text. Each chapter closes with a. list of JAMESG. TRAYNHAX that while the subdivision of material was Supplementary Reading, references mostly Louisiana State University classical, the presentation of physical to articles in JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL Balm R a g e aspects was modern and useful. It was EDucnnoN. Study questions pertaining aLso noted that certain teaching innove, to each ohapter are collected in 42 pages tions made the book attractive for use at the end of the book: these are good with average and good students. review questions aimed at the material In a thorough revision, Professor specifically covered in the text. Ferguson has achieved advances which Throughout the text, boldface type is will he appreciated by teachers and stuused effectively for emphasis on words or dents. Greater emphasis is given to reactparts of formulas. Excellent brief d i s Applications of Absorption ion mechanism; the chapters an ammatic cussions of physical properties introduce Spectroscopy of Organic Compounds compounds have been moved forward each functional group class; I R and UV to permit an integrated treatment of data are cited, but NMR data seldom apJohn R. Dyer, Georgia. Institute of aromatic and aliphatic compounds; and pear. Heterocyclic compounds are Technology, Atlanta. Prentice-Hall, a useful chapter on Structure Determinatreated adequately, not in a separate he., Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, tion by Physical Methods has been added chapter, but st zppropriate places through 1965. x f 143 pp. Figs. and tables. following the discussions of the various the text. Several reactions are usually 16 X 23.5 em. Paperbound, $2.50; classes of aliphatic compounds. An exsummarized to show what happens to a cloth, $5.50. tension of certain topics, such as alicyclic functional group, and then mechanisms The belief that "one learns by doing" compounds, has been made; and answers are considered. to test questions, historical and factual has long been recognized by teachers tryOne of the most favorable aspects of the data, and a general updating of material ing to get students to solve problems. book is that it is clearly addressed to the have been included. Exercises are also student, not to the professor. Early This premise has undoubtedly prompted revised tlnd extended, and the 51-page the writing of several problem manuals development of language and concepts appendix on The Solution of Mathematdesigned to give practice in the solution of oermits a tone of thorouehness to he ical Problems in Elementary Organic structure problems with the aid of spectrd whicrcrl in the 1.rrtt.rhnlf wf thc hnk when Chemistry has been retained. rlnccrs of c ~ n p o t m dHi W l w q concidcrcd; data.
[sic] Statistical Mechanics and Thermodynamics and Rates of Chemical Resct i o n ~ a r somewhat e less successful partly because of the necessary compression and partly because there seems to be no clear idea as to what prior knowledge the comprehending reader should have. Certainly the treatment of thermodynamics will be hmdgoingfor those whose previous knowledge does not extend much beyond the Hess's Law of PACC. The book is written in a relaxed almost conversational tone and happy phmes abound. Thus: hydride ion "in the outer layer of the star sots as a kind of stellw overcoat which keeps the inside warm." And: "collisions between A and B will be ineffective unless B hits A's tender spot." Professor Dewar has a weakness for participial adjectives and his ability to find some of the more dour agpeots of chemical theory both "entertaining" and "amusing" is positively Aristophanie. I t is saddening to see the publishers of Fowler and Gowen treat the semi-colon so impertinently;
The revised edition is a,sound and teschable oresentation of the one-vear course in t,r~hnicchmmistry and mrril.; the altcnricn of te~vhrr+ for pns~iblr3tl
