VOLUME 33, NO. 12, DECEMBER, 1956
647
(1) Flow of fluids past particles. (2) Systems involving relative motion between a fluid and particles. (3) Applications of mass transfer. (4) Applications of heat transfer. (5) Size reduction, classification, mixing. Some of the general problems of scaling up are discussed in the chapter on mixing and particular features are discussed throughout the book. The illustrations of commercial equip ment are excellent and the general format of the hook is pleasing. These two volumes could serve a8 a u8eful text in undergraduate courses with the reservation that care would have to be used because of it8 being an English book. I t certainly maken a welcome addition as a reference text in the unit operations field.
our knowledge of the biochemical functions of vitamin B,s in animals and in mieraorgmisms. The thirteenth symposium is successful and fills a special need for those in the field. The hook itself is of good general quality, adequately illustrated, and maderately priced.
8. RICKLIN
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Rrcsbia R ~ a ~ * n cAae s o c l a ~ ~ s P ~ O V ~ ~ RHODE N C E I.L*ND .
IRVING H. SHER GUSTAV J. MARTIN THENATIONAL DBUGCOMPANY PBILADELSHI*, PENNBTIVANI*
CATALYSIS. VOLUME m: HYDROGENATION AND DEHYDROGENATION
W. W. RUSSELL B n o w ~UN~VERBITY PROV~DENCE. RHODEIBL*ND
Edited by P o d H. Emmett, Gult Research and Development Company's Multiple Fellowship, Mellon Institute. Reinhdd Publishing Corp., New York, 1955. vii 504 pp. 9 8 figs. 101 tables. 15.5 X 23.5cm. $12.
Tnrs text is the third in a series dealing with the subject matter of catalysis. I t consists of ten chapters written by several authorities, and edited by Paul H. EmEdited by R. T. Williams. Cambridge mett. The first 50 pages, written by University Press, New York, 1955. 123 Trapnell, develop the background and pp. 20 figs. 22 tables. 16.5 X 25.5 give the present status of parahydrogen and orthodeuterium conversions, and cm. $3.75. also hydrogen-deuterium exchange. In Tnrs volume consists of papers pre- the next 30 pages Eley critically discusses sented at the symposium held at The the present status of the much studied London School of Hygiene and Tropical catalytic hydrogenation of ethylene. In Medicine on February 19, 1955. The regard to the mechanism of this hydrocontributors to this symposium try to genation he concludes that "no really bring the readers up to date on various critical experiments far deciding this aspects of the title theme. Vitamin BI1 mechanism have as yet been made!' In constitutes too large and active a field for the following 30 pages Corson discusses the coverage in such a. set of papers to be the catalytic hydrogenation of olebic exhaustive. However, the authors have hydrocarbons including selective hydrosucceeded in bringing forth a very good genation, and also suitable catalysts, book in a concentrated style, mainly including calciom-ammonia. and alkali covering the later work just short of the metals. About 40 pages are devoted by final (except possibly as regards the Bond to a consideration of the addition of double-bond arrangement) mnounoement hydrogen to carbon-carbon triple bonds. of the complete structural formula, for Catalysts, bond energies, and reaction vitamin B,, by Hodgkin, el al. mechanisms are discussed for both gasAfter an introduction by Sir Alexander phase and liquid-phase hydrogenations, Todd, E. Lester Smith briefly discusses especidy for acetylene and methyl acethe isolation and rhemistry of this extraord- tylene. Chapter five consists of 20 pages inarily complex vitamin. The next devoted to a discussion by Smith and paper by S. K. Kon gives an cxcellcnt Bedoit of the cstalytic hydrogenation of description of the multitude of other fao- nitro compounds, principally over nickel tors related to vitamin B,s while the s p e or platinum. In Chapter six covering r i b methods of measurement of this as- some 90 pages Frankenburg makes a sortment are covered hy M. E. Costes and rather complete survey of developments J. E. Ford. "The absorption and ex- in the catalytic synthesis of ammonia cretion of vitamin BU in man" by D. L. (from nitrogen and hydrogen) during the Mollin and S. J. Baker includes the perti- period from 1820 to 1940. In Chapter nent clinical work and recent data. In- seven written by Bokhoven, van Heerden, trinsic factor remains one of the less un- Westrik, and Zwietering over 80 pages are derstood facets of the B1n story, and for devoted to important research developthis reason one might wish for an even ments in ammonia synthesis since 1940, more complete presentation of the subject considerable of the data being previously than that given by A. L. Latner in his unpublished. Chapter eight comprising interesting paper on this subject. The some 60 pages devoted to the synthesis of book concludes with two papers by H. methanol is written by Natta and draws R. V. Arnstsin and by J. Lascelles and ta a considerable extent upon the auM. J. Cross which describe, respectively, thor's extensive work on this synthesis. BIOCHEMICAL SOCIETY SYMPOSIA NO. 13: THE BIOCHEMISTRY OF VITAMIN B,,
About 35 pages are devoted by Feuge in Chapter nine to the problems of hydrogenation of glyceride oils, and the properties and preparation of suitable catalysts. The last chapter of about equal length is written by Kearhy and is devoted to catalytic dehydrogenation, primarily of petroleum products to olefins, diolefins, and styrene. This latest addition to the Crttdy& series maintains the high standard of excellence which has characterized t.he preceding volumes and is a book which will bo widelv read bv all havine an interest in this fihd.
THE ALKALOIDS: CHEMISTRY KM) PHYSIOLOGY. VOLUME V. PHARMACOLOGY Edited by R. H. F. Manske, Dominion Rubber Research Laboratory, Guelph, Ontario. Academic Press, Ine., New 388 pp. Tables. York, 1955. ir 16 X 23.5 cm. $9.50.
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THERE is little doubt that Vohmes I-IV of this series constitute the most exhaustive and authoritative treatment of the chemistry of the alkaloids which is currently available. Since in these earlier volumes only about onefourth of the chapters contained sections on pharmacology, the editor has used the present volume to round out the area which is concerned with physiological activity. The result is a. very useful pharmacological supplement to an already standard chemioal treatise. The pharmacological presentation is not, however, as camprehensive as is the treatment of the chemistry afforded in Volumes I-IV. Notable omissions would include discussions of the pharmacology of reserpine and protoveratrine. Perhaps these will be covered in a mpplementay volume. The pharmacological treatment adopted in Volume V is based on the physiological action of the alkaloids rather than on chemical structure. For this reason alkaloids of diverse structure but similar actions are discussed in each of the separate sections. Chapters covering the following are included: Narcotics and Analgesics, Cardioactive Alkaloids, Respiratory Stimulants, Antimalarials, Uterine Stimulants, Anesthee ics, Pressor Alkaloids, Mydriatics, and Curare-like Effects. Also included is a chapter on Lycopodium alkaloids and one on miscellaneous alkaloids. Volume V of this series is recommended as a valuable companion to the elegant chemical treatment given in Volumes I-IV. E D M U N D C. KORNFELD L ~ L L REBEARCH V LABORATORIES INDL*N**OL,B. IND,*N*
