An Introduction t o t h e Chemistry a n d Biochemistry ol Pyrimidines, Purines, a n d Pteridines Derek T. Hurst, John Wiley 8 Sons, New York. 1980. v 266 pp. Figs. and tables. 23.4 X 15.4 cm. $39.00.
+
The stated purpose of this h w k is "to cover the basic chemistry of pyrimidines, purines, and pteridines a t a level suitable for undergraduate and research students of chemistry, biochemistry, and pharmaceutical chemistry and to provide an introduction to the biochemistry and biochemical uses of these compounds a t a level suitable for undergraduate and postgraduate chemists." The book achieves the first part of the goal reasonably well by presenting the basic chemistry and physical properties of the three major groups of heterocycles in a concise, well-organizedmanner. Individuals who have taken a good undergraduate organic chemistry course and wish t o learn about these important heterocyclic compounds will orofit ~ u h s t a n t i a hfrom studvine , .. the first Eour c h a p t r r ~uf this wiurnr. The iattcr half of the brwk does nut serve thr stated purpclst. nearly a> well. H ~ n d e r iwho h a w not had previous exposure to biochemistry to gain some understanding of the importance of higher order structure of biological macramolecules to the function of biochemical pathways will not he well served by the chaoters dealine with biochemistrv. I susneet that chemlsri, undrrgradunteand portgrad"ate, w~ll1r.nefit only i n n very general wny ~
~
from the presentation of the material on coenzymes and biosynthesis of nueleotides, nuckic acids, and proteins. The material is presented in a manner that might lead the uninitiated to conclude that mixing the appropriate coenzymes and precursors will lead to end products without the aegis of enzymes. In order t o cover the broad scope of the content of this h w k in the limitednumber of pages the author has briefly placed each subject in perspective and then presented the basic aspects pertaining to the topic without much detail. Again, this works quite well when dealing with the chemistry and properties of each major class of compounds. I t is much less successful in the areas that deal with the biochemical aspects of the compounds. The reader is directed t o reference lists for detailed treatments of the subject matter. The author was correct in stating that some of the information will be out of date. I was surprised a t the small number of citations dated as late as 1978. Technically, the book is well prepared with usable table of contents and index. I found one feature that may be confusing to readers who are not very familiar with the general area of tautomeric forms of heterocycles. In chapter 3 the author indmted that hydroxy, thione, and amino forma will be used throughout unless a particular need exists for use of the alternate tautomerie forms. The author has not been consistent in this usage, particularly in the biochemistrychapters. For example, on page 161 IMP is written as the 6-oxofom whereas on page 162 in continuing the biochemical pathway, IMP is written as
the 6-hydroxy tautomer. This occurs quite frequently in the book. Overall, I think the book pravides a good introduction into the chemistry and properties of pyrimidines, purines, and pteridines. On the other hand, it is not nearly so suitable as a n introduction to the biochemistry of these compounds. Allan L. Bieber Arizona State University Tempe. AZ 85281
An Introduction t o Physical Properties
of Large Molecules in Solution E. G. Richards, and S. D. Dover, Cambridge Univ. Press. New York. First Edltion, 1980. xvii pp. Figs. and tables. 15 X 22% cm. $9.95.
Dr. Richards' book sticks quite closely to the rather limited territory outlined in the title. The book is aimed at undergraduate students in physics, chemistry, and biology and seems to be written a t a level appropriate for this level of student. It is quitedefinitely a textbook designed to he accompanied by a set of lectures. I t would not serve well as a reference book since there is (as noted in Richards' preface), ". . .little attempt t o review the experimentally observed facts relating to red macromolecules. .", hut rather an emphasis on broad underlying principles (Continued o n page A378)
.
Reviewed in this Issue Derek T. Hurst, An introduction t o t h e Chemistry and Biochemistry of Pyrimidines. Purines, and Pteridines E. G. Richams and S. D. Dover, An Introduction t o Physical Properties of Large Molecules in Solution Robert Dinell, Association Theory: The P h a s e s of Matter and their Transformations H Tadokoro. Structure of Crystalline Polymers N. J. Turro, Urea-Formaldehyde Resins R. L. Flurrv. ..Jr... Svmmetw Grouos Theow and Chemical Aoolications Walter Jennings a n d Takayuki Shibarnoto. Qualitative Analysis of Flavor and Fragrance Volat~lesby Glass Capillary Gas Chromatography R. Pauncz. Spin Eigenfunctions Construction and Use J a c k A. Gerlovich a n d Gary E. Downs, Better Science Through Safety E. M. Goodger, Alternative Fuels, Chemical Energy Resources V. L. Snoeyink and 0.Jenkins, Water Chemistry W. Ranney. Synthetic Oils and Additives for Lubricants (Advances Since 1977) New Volumes in Continuing S e r i e s
.
..
Volume 58
Reviewer Allan L. Bieber Matthew Tirreii William J. Peer William T. Winter H. J a m e s Harwood J a m e s L. Bills JJL
E. W. Anacker Malcolm M. Renfrew Buddhadev S e n W. G. Breck J. H. J o n e s
Number 1 2
December 1981
A377
