book reviews of (:l.oup I\; elements. Part Two (>75 pp.) conlnins chapters entitled: V, "Inorganic Hetert~cycles of Gronp VI Elemenls"; VII, "h4etxl-Cont,sining Coordination Heterucycles"; and a n Index of Inorganic l h g System. The volumes can only be described as reference works which reflect the rapidly increasing interest in inorganic ring systems that has developed in the relatively recent past. The m~thorhas put forth a prodigeoua e8ort to orgnniae o. very large number of ~eforences(-5000) on the subject. The slyle is, accordingly, not to be judged a n tho basis of the nsual litermy standards, but rather on the density of informat,ion organized and transmitted. I n this respect, the pithy styledoes not intrude on the sobject. The lilerature is covered through 1969, mastly by the expedient of a nombor of "notes in proof" added xt the end of various sections of the book. Extensive and helpful reference is made to work not readily available to western scientists. Comprehensive iables of physical pmperties, rendily accessible through the subject index, in conjunction with the ring index, a t the end of Part Two serve adeqoatoly for bath volumes. The price of theso volumes, whieh is in the general range of most modern reference works, assures tbat tbe.y will find very limited use in private libraries. Unfortunately, the quality of the prodoction does not appear to be commensurate with that of other reference works s t this level.
The University of Texas at Austin, 78716
Methoden der Organischen Chemie. Houben-Weyl. Band X111/4. Metdlorganirche Verbindungen, Al, Ga, In, TI
Edited by Eugen MiilIer. 4th ed. Georg Thieme Verlag, 1970. Stuttgart, 430 pp., 22 figs., 62 tables. xxviii 17 X 25.5 em. DM 155-Subscription price, D M 139.50.
witb retention of A1-C hands, the rupture of AI-C bonds, and the electro-chemical reactions of organo-A1 compounds. The section on aluminum is concluded by a survey of the methods of analysis for Al, alkali metals, C, H, halogens, the hydrides, etc. I n addition, instrumental techniques as dielectric constant variations, calorimetric titrations, conduct,ivity, infra-red, proton resonance, mass spectra, and gas chromatography are outlined. The second division (26 pp) summarizes the literature on gallium compounds of the types RsGa, R.GaX, RGaX. where R is an dkyl or aryl group and coordination complexes of gallium compounds with amines, phosphines, arsines, sulfides, selenides, and ethers. The behavior of gallium derivatives on pyrolysis, reactions with oxygen, halogens, and carbonyl compounds is described. Section Three (17 pp) sets forth the literature on the reparation of mono, di, and tri alkyl or sryl indium compounds, together with the thermal decomposit,ion and reaction with carbonyl compounds. Finally, Section Few (26 pp) surveys the information on synthesis of mono, di, and tri alkyl or aryl thallium compounds. The reactions of triaryl TI derivatives with carhonyl compounds, coupling reactions with Grignard reagents and TIBr, the oxidation of olefins with TI (111) acetate, the reactions with oxygen, halogens, mercury, and mercury and tin chlorides are described and illustrated. The literature in this volume has been surveyed through 1968 and in part of 1969. The index lists approximately 1500 compounds. Owing to the considerable interest in aluminum compounds and the development of the chemistry of the other elements in the past several decades, this volume is a welcome addition and should he of considerable interest to research workers in this field. G. H. RICHTER Rice University Houston, Tezas
A732
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journal of Chemical Education
RALPHE. OESPER Univemity of Cincinnati Cincinnati, Ohw 46861
Asymmetric Organic Reactions
James D. Morrison, University of New Hampshire, and Harry S . M o s h e ~ , Stanford University. Prentice-Hall, Inc., Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey. 465 pp. Figs. and tables. 23.5 xii X 16 cm. $24.95.
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The renowned English hunter, Col. Blimp, had acquired trophies of all big game from Africa and India except one, the guru. On being interrogated why he had missed out on the guru, he replied, "because the blwdy beaters were unable to drive one up to the veranda." Organic research can also be pursued in a similar fashion. However, if one does not wish to miss some of the big ideas he will be well rewarded to hunt through Houhen-Weyl, "Die Methoden der Orgsnischen Chemie." The first section, on aluminum (314 pp), surveys the methods of preparation of tridkyl sluminum, dialkyl aluminum bydrides, alkylated aluminum halides, alkyl-Al-oxygen and sulfur canpounds, RAl (0R')X where X is C1 or H, alkylA1 compounds with direct bonding to elements in Group 5, organo-Al compounds witb unsaturated radicals, aryl, and benayl-A1 structures, and heterocyclics in whieh Al is a. hetero atom. This is followed by a discussion of the transformations by pyrolysis, reactions
Acadkmie des Sciences. Berthollet had fitted up a chemical laboratory in his house and provided space for physics experiments, etc. The members discussed their latest findings formally and also spoke freely ahout other scientific matters. Three volumes of The Manoires de Physique et de Chimie de la Socidlt d'Arcueil appeared in 1807, 1809, and 1817 and contain some of the classic papers of the time. Napoleon professed a deep interest in science and occasionally graced the meetings with his presence, so i t is entirely fitting that his relationship with science is fully explored in the opening chapter of this hook. The members best known to present-day chemists were Berthollet, Thenard, Gay-Lussac, Chaptal, and Dulong; some may likewise know the work of Laplace, von Humholdt, Arago, and Biot. No facet of the work associated with the Arcueil Society has been neglected by the author; the careens of the members are given in ample detail, also the influence of their work, as well as the influences that molded their researches and investigations. The work that went into the composing of this hook is clearly reflected by the number and variety of the references to the literature. The Indexes and Bihliographies are of immense value to the serious reader. Some may, perhaps justifiably, believe that this hook has been written for the specialist in chemical and science history, but the enormous amount of information gathered here together with the clear presentation make this an indispensable addition to most science libraries.
The Society of Arcueil. A View of Science at the Time of Napoleon I
Maurice Crosland, University of Leeds, Heinemann Educational Books, Ltd., 514 pp. IlluatraImndon, 1967. xx tions. 14 X 21.5 em. 84 shillings (= approximately $10).
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The village of Arcueil, a. suburb of Paris, came into science history, when Berthollet bought a palatial country mansion there after returning with Napoleon Bonaparte from Egypt. Laplsce bought the adjoining pr.>pcrty a few yeara Inter the t w o cstntrs totalled27 nrrw and together they f o ~ ~ n d eTlrr d Soviet\. of Arruc~l. , n nrirate organization of esgblished and promising younger men who met in Berthollet's house a t regular intervals during the non-winter months of the year. Both Berthollet and Laplace were close to Napoleon, whose favors to them made them independently wealthy. The membership never exceeded fifteen and many of the members also had been or would be elected to the Institut, the successor to the ancient
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Various aspects of asymmetric syntheses have been the subject of a number of recent review articles, notably by Pracejus (1967), Mathieu (1967, 1968) and Boyd (1968). This book by Morrison and Mosher is a welcome addition since it provides not only a review hut a critical evaluation of the literature in this field since 1933. The authors have included an addendum a t the end of each chapter which includes references to pertinent work published in 1969. The topics covered include reactions of achiial reagents with chiral ketoesters, achiral reagents with ehiral aldehydes and ketones, asymmetric addition reactions of carbonyl compounds, hydrogen transfer from chiral reducing agents to achiral substrates, asymmetric additions to dkenes, asymmetric synthesis of amino acids. ssvmmetric svnthesis a t reaotions in chiral medirt. The critical evaluation of the literature and the judicious choice of configurational (Cmtinued m page A7S4)
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Smith-ICwart behavior in emulsion nolv" merimtion and the influence of segrnentd din'usion rates on chain radiral termination correlation models used to interpret the reaetions are also eovered. results of asymmetric syntheses are two of I n addition to including standard ssthe strong points of this book. For those peck of organic polymer chemistry, atnot familiar with the field this book will tention is devoted to recently synthesized provide them with a n authoritative, in high temperature step-gmwth polymers, depth, familiarity with the subject. This to factors influencing the efficiencies of free book is well written and easy to road. radical initiators, to stt.ucture-reactivity Ordinarily this hook would be a valuable considerations, and to stereoregular polyaddition to many chemists personal merization. I n addition, a brief chapter library. Unfortunately it has been priced on polymer reactions is inch~ded. for sale to libraries. I'm not certain how The hook is well organized, very clearly much longer even libraries will he able to written, and extensively cross-referenced. afford books st this price. A set of study problems is included st the end of each chapter. I t is set in easily H. M. WALBORSKY readable type and it contains very few Florida Slate University errors. I t might he mentioned that the Tallahassee, Fla. 32300 first printing of this text was recalled for corrections. The reviewer obtained a. list oi the corrections that were made and it was astonishingly small. It is obvious Principles of Polymerization that considerable care has gone into the preparation of this book. George Odian, Richmond College, The One must look long and hard to find City University of New York, Staten anything to criticize about this book. Island. New York. McGraw-H111Bonk The treatment afforded the thermal initiaCo., New York, 1970. xviii 652 pp. tion of styrene (p. 188) might be updated, Figs. and. tables. 23.7 X 16 em. however, and the average lifetime of a free $18.50. radical in solution seems to be underestimated on p. 28% One of the problems involved in the The book is highly recommended as 8. preparation of introductory textbooks on text for senior or graduate instruction. interdisciplinary s,hjects such as polymer If the instructor has time to include mxtescience is the selection of material to be rial other than that covered by this text, covered, so that n pmper halance between material covering polymer characterisathe vstious disciplines can be obtained. tion and polymer properties might be There is considerable variety among presprovided as a. supplement. ently available polymer scicnce texts. Experienced and relatively inexperiFlory's classic "Textbook of Polymer enced polymer scientists will also find Chemistry" is heavily oriented toward that this book is helpful and a. delight to physical aspects of polymer chemistry read. and is difficult reading for organic chemists. At another extreme, Lena's "OrH. J a m s Hanwoon ganic Chemistry oi Synthetic High PalyUniversity of Akron mers" is an excellent source of informabion Akwn, Ohio 44304 about organic aspects of polymer science, but is probably no1 nlilized by many physical chemists. Odian's new text is a well written compromise. This book was written as the first-half Organometallic Remctionr. Volume 1 of R one year course on polymer chemiut1.y or as a self-study text for workers Edited by Ernest I. Eeekrr, University of in polymer chemistry who have only R. hIssszchr~setk, Boston, and Minoru fragmentary background in the basic Tsstszci, Texas A & A I University, Colprinciples of the field. The emphasis is lege Station. Wiley-Interscience, New on the physical and organic chemistry of York, 1970. vii 389 pp. Fig% and reactions used to syuthesise polymers. tables. 23.5 X 16 cm. 817.9h. I n separate chapters dealing with stepT h r phr.mm..n.,l g1uw111 q~..li r n p o l w l l r r growth polymerisation, radical chain 5.i t h e t e l I I I , .:?(.< n > e t ~ l l l i . r h r ~ ~ . i11.1s -tr) polymerization, emulsion polymerization, l t , t l *.
