BOOK REVIEWS Crabtree effects, in ascites tumors and hela cells. This chapter and the final chapter by Britton Chance, A digital Computer Representation of Chemical and Spectroscopic Studies on Chemical Control of Ascites Tumor Cell Metabolism, conclude a thoroughly interesting symposium. This book represents a considerable effort from many biochemists. I t is a stimulating tribute to Jesse Greensteiu. I t is the type of symposium that should be available in many areas of inveatigation to biochemists and deserves their support. DAVIDG. CORNWELL Ohio State Umversdg Columbus An Introduction to the Chemistry of Heterocyclic Compounds
R. M. Acheson, Queen's College, University of Oxford, England. Interscience Publishers, Inc., New York, 1960. xiv 342 pp. Many figs. 16 X 23.5cm. $5.
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I t might be thought, perhaps, that a field as vast as modern heterocyclic chemistry can hardly be surveyed adequately in the space of 342 pages without a t least some appearance of superficiality. Here, however, this pitfall has been deftly avoided. In this book Dr. Acheson has succeeded admirably in providing a concise yet highly informative introduction to the chemistry of the fundamental heterocyclic systems without seriously sacrificing important detail. In addition, interesting highlights of many fascinating biochemical areas of the subject are also presented Organized according to structures of increasing complexity, from three-membered ring heterocycles through polyheteroatom five- and six-membered ring types, the nine chapters of this book take up each class of compounds logically and systematically. Cardinal features of physical properties and structure, including pertinent data from X-ray, spectral and dipole-moment measurements, are considered first in each section; then the chemical behavior of representative compounds is delineated, along with methods of synthesis and the chemistry of selected substances of natural occurrence and special interest, except alkaloids and carbohydrates. The up-to-date character of the book may be gauged by the fact that, in addition to extensive citation of recent papers and data, modern electronic theory and mechanistic concepts are widely employed, and significant current aspects of the metabolism and biosynthesis of biologically important compounds are described. For maximum effectiveness the text is illustrated by an unusually large number of clear, well-drawn structural formulas, with bond angles, bond distances, and ir-electron densities marked on those of many of the principal prototypes. A useful general bibliography on each class (Continued an poge A43@
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Journal of Chemical Education
