BOOK
REVIEWS
Chemical Carcinogenerir
David B. Clayson, University of Leeds, England. Little, Brown, and Co., 467 pp. Figs. Boston, 1962. viii and tables. 16 X 24 em. $15.
+
There has long been a great need for a current and authoritative volume on chemical carcinogenesia. One must look hack two decedes to Wolfe's "Chemical Induction of Cancer" for s. book with the scope of Clayson's. The published literature during this interval has been extensive, and Dr. Clayson's credentials for this effort me amply evident throughout the text by the consistent skill and mature judgment he has displayed in the selection and discussion of the more significant eontrihution of workers in t h i area of cancer research. In a volume of manageable size, the author reviews published data and effectively relates them to pertinent concepts in chemical carcinogenesia and, where significant, describes the historical developments of concepts. Liberal use is made of charts, tables, andgraphs throughout, and of particular value is the consistent use of structural formulas to demonstrate relationships between individual chemical carcinogens and their metabolites. The introduction is devoted to a brief description of the three main classes of carcinogens. The organieation of the remainder of the hook permits the author to proceed in a logical and cohesive fashion. In the opening chapter which is devoted to environmental cancer in
-Reviewed
in this Issue
Dorid B. Clayson, Chemical caroinaaenesis Ralph E. Alaton amd B. L. Turner. Bioohemiea1 systematics P o d Lsuraons. . . editor. Lectures in hlaterials Science F . Albmt Cotton. Chemical Amlieations of Group Theory R a b h Hultgicn, et ol, Selected Values of Thermodynsmia Properties of Metals and ~
~
...."," A,".-
E. A. L y n t a . Supereonduotivity A. C . OaL,d0n and I . R. H d s , The Shook Tube in Hiah-Tem~erature Chemical Phyeies A. R . Kot7it.k~.Physical Methods in Heterccyclic Chemistry. Vdumes 1 arnd 2 cmelin Inatilwfc. Gmelins Handbuoh der Anorganisohen Chemie, 8. Auflape, System Nummer 52. Chromium, Teil 13 Cmdin Indifula, Gmelins Haodbuob der Anorsaniseben Chemie. 8. AuRage. System Nummer 34, Queoksilber. Teil A. Lieferung 2 Cmdin In8tilute, Omelins Hsndbuoh der Anorganisohen Chemie, 8. Auflage, System Nummer 52, Teil A, Lieferung 2 Haher1 H. Uhlig, Corrosion and Cormsion Control H. Sowislowalii and W . Smith, Msas Transfer Process Caloulstiona L i m a Pading and Somud aDudsmit. The Structure of Line Spectra R O ~ G IW. ~ atrmcy, bns in solution Ranold W . O%rney.Ionic Proosssesin Soiution
112
/
man, this problem is discussed from both an environmental as well as host point of view. The next several chapters are devoted to experimental design and st* tistical evaluation of data. Limitations imposed by choice of species, dose, and mode of administration of carcinogens as well as the effect of vehicles are diseuased with sophistication. Cancer induction by radioelements and by macromolecular substances are examples of the use of speei6c agents cited to illustrrute ~rohlemsresulting from unique physical and/or chemical properties of known or suspected carcinogenic agents. The third p a t of the hook deals with specific classes of compounds implicated in the causation of cancer. Bioassay data are interpreted in light of fundamental pharmaeolagicsl, biochemical, and pathological considerations. The complex role of hormonal agents is described in two chapters in terms of their awn intrinnic carcinogenicity as well as their modifying effect on the response to exogenous chemical carcinogens. The organization of the index reveals the same care observed in the text. The specific index of chemical compounds should he mast helpful to persons seeking immediate information independent of the fundamental aspects of some of the experimental data. The references after each chapter, though not encyclopedic, are adequate and current, including many articles published in 1962. A few minor deficiencies merit note: The author defines sarcoma on page 4 as tumors arising from connective tissue c e b
Journal o f Chemical Education
C . T . Mortirnm, Reaction Hsatri and Bond Strengths Nicholoa D. Cheronia and John B. Enfrikin, Identification of Organio Compounds: A Student's Text Using 6emimicro Teohniques McC7ath. Siddoll and Thring, editors. Ad"BnOeS in Magnetohydrodynamioa Mronowski, Studcboker and Wulkcr, editors. Proneedings of the Fifth Conference on Carbon. volume 1 William Thailheimm, Synthetic Msthoda of Orasnio Chemistry Yearbook. 1063 Volume 17 John J . McKetlo, JT.,editor, Advances in Petroleum Chemistry and Refininp. Volume 7 M i c h d Ladmar, editor, Chromatomaphio Reviewe, Volume 5 F. Albnl Cotton, editor, Progress in Inorganic Chemiatry, Volume 5 C m o a y Pincue, editor. Recent Progress in Hormone Research. Volume 19 J . P . Phillip* and F. C . Nuhod, editors. Organic Electronic Spectral Dsts, Volume 4 (1058-591 Ernest E. Comwipnc and Walter H. Kortung. editors. Medicinal Chemistry, Volume 6 R. W . Beor, editor. Canadian Cancer Conferenoe, Volume 5. Proceedings of the Fifth Cmmdian Cancer Rasearch Canferenoe. Honey Harbour. Ontario. June. 1962 A~thurC . cope, editor-in-~hief.organic R ~ W tiona, Volume 13
rather than from all mesenchymal tissue The balanced approach to virtually all areas in chemical eacinogenesis is notably absent in the amount of space devoted to a discussion of the role of ortho-hydroxy derivatives of aromatic amines. The reviewer recommends this book as B well-written, unemotional presentation of the field of careinogenesis, coming a t an appropriate time considering the furor over such recent events as aminotriazole, indiscriminate pesticide use, and the continuing discussion of the role of cigaretb smoking and polluted air in the increase of lung cancer. The hook can be highly recommended to toxicologists, chemists, pharmacologists, as well as physicians with occupational health resoonsibilitv. It will find a nrominent place on the shelves of cancer research workers. Undergraduate students will find the book helpful, even with their limitstions in biology and chemistry. Interested graduate students will find the hook a rich source of authoritative information. The vacuum this hook helps fLU would make it useful were it leas well written. Considering its excellence, it merits emphatic recommendstion.
P n a KOTIN National Camrlmlitute Bethesda, Maryland
Ralph E. Abton and B. L. T u r n , both of the University of Texss, Austin. Prentice-Hall, Inc., Englewood Cliffs, 404 pp. New Jersey, 1963. xii Figs. and tables. 16 X 23.5 cm. $9.95.
+
"Systematics" in the title of this book is synonymous with taxonomy, and the biochemistry is the biochemistry of plants. Accordingly, this volume is a survey of the possibilities of classifying plants according to their chemical composition. Modern titxonomical schemes are ideally based upon phylogeny, which is in turn the result of genetic selection, and since the genetic character of an organism is reflected in its metabolism and chemical composition, it should theoretically be possible to classify organisms according to their chemical composition. In practice, however, this is not so simple, for s number of reasons. In the first place, it requires much research to determine what chemical compounds sre specific for a given species, genus, or order. Many non-essential substances occur in same individuals, but not in others; this phenomenon has been termed "biochemical individuality" by Roger William, and renders the presence or absence of these substances useless for classification. In the second place, organisms often have genetic potentialities which may not be actually expressed. For example, s. piven plant may contain a substance or not, depending upon the conditions of temperature and moisture under which it is grown. Finally, "biochemical races" have often heenshown toexist; they differ in some biochemical way from the other members of the species to which they obviously belong.
For these reasons, ,&ton and Turner me generdly conservative about the
present poasihilities of the use of chemistry in taxonomy (although some striking successes are eitcd). They do, however, hold out exciting hopes for the future, when the difficulties will have been overcome, and the classification of plants placed on a logical genetic basis, rather than on the rather unsatisfactory marphological one on which it now rests. This book reveals careful thought on the part of the authors; it is extremely well written, and, although not many chemists are specifically interested in t h i ~field, it is quite fascinating to the biochemist who ia interested in seeing the uses to which ilia discipline may be put. I t is also beautifully documented, the references ranging from antiquity right up to 1963. The only adverse criticism is that the figures and tables are not adequately explained. "Biochemical Systematics'' is highly recommended for browsing by the average chemist, and far study by those in the field. PETEROEBPER Hahnemann Medical College Philadelphia. Pennsylvania
Lectures in Materids Science (The Cornell Materials Science Center Lecture Series)
Edited by P a d Leurgms. W. A. Benjamin, Ind., New York, 1963. viii 109 pp. Figs. and tables. 16 X 23.5 em. Clothbound, $7. Paperbound, 8.95.
+
This book consists of four lectures given at the Cornell Materials Science Center, by four distinguished scientists: F. Bitter, N. Bloembergen, P. J. W. Debye, and P. J. Flory. The Introduction to the volume, which was also the introduction to the lecture series, was given by S. S. Atwood, who pointed out that these talks were meant to cover special topics in the field of materials science and to broaden the perspective of first-year graduate students. Unfortunately, the chosen topics, however expertly presented as individual lectures, constitute only isolated aspects of the generd field of materials science. Moreover, the level of sophistication and the breadth of coverage vary so widely among the lectures that any given reader is likely to 6nd only fragmentary value in the contents. This book therefore serves mainly as an archive for the leotures, and not ass, broadly useful source of information. In the first lecture. P. J. W. Dehve dis-
composed of small molecules snd those containing polymers, and discusses what the phenomenon tells about molecular dimensions. The subject is important in polymer science, and hears the influence of Professor Debye both as a pioneer and as a current worker. The treatment is fairly advanced, in terms of the experience of 6mt-year graduate students, but the story is expertly and delightfully told.
In the second lecture, P. J. Flory discusses Macromoleculesin the Solid State. He deals mainly with the configurations of linear chains, which largely determine the spatial dimensions of macromolecules both in solution and in the condensed state. Professor Flory is a leading worker in the statistical thermodynamics of macramolecules, and has expertly surveyed much of the field in this lecture. The paper requires sophistication in mathematics and statistical mechanics well beyond the ability of most first-year graduate stndents. The content is condensed and modern. The paper is most likely to he useful to a. polymer soientist who knows something about problems involving chain configuration and who wishes an authoritative renew. In the third lecture, N. Bloembergen discusses Magnetic Resonance and Its Applications. This paper touches hroadly on diverse topics such as measurements of magnetic moments with molecular beams, study of molecular structure and motion in solids, atudy of chemical honding, applieations in biology and medicine, and uses in masers and in radio-astronomy, A unified picture of the magnetic resonance phenomenon is presented at the level of a firseyear graduate student meeting the subject for the first time. An inquisitive reader is likely to want to learn more after Professor Bloembergen's interesting review, but the list of references is unLikely to help him bridge the gap between this lecture and the advanced work of specialilists. The fourth lecture, by F. Bitter, deals with Flows in a Steady Plasma. This paper is disappointing, for although Professor Bitter ~ o i n t sout how widelv the concept of pl&mas is found in astropiysics and the physics of the upper atmosphere, and although he briefly mentions the effects of magnetic fields upon plasmas, he confines himself largely to the rather prosaic study of the low-pressure mercuryargon discharge. In summary, the hook does little to unify and broaden the wide interests in materials science, being for the most part too specialized and with too few topics to interest the general reader in this interdisciplinary field. Readers with special interests, particularly in physical chemistry of polymers, will find the book stimulating.
W. P. SLICFITER Bell Telephone Laboratories Muway Hill, New Jersey
Chemical Applications of Group Theory
F.Albert Cotton, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Boston, Massachusetts. Intencience Publishera (a division of John Wiley and Sons, Ine.), New York, 1963. ix 295 pp. Figs. and tables. 15.5 X 23.5 cm. $12.50.
+
It is a pleasure to tell you about a new book bv Professor F. Albert Cotton. The hook is about chemical applications of group theory, and, strange as it may be nowadays, the title describes its contents.
In the preface the author claims that the hook is of the type which can he read in bed without a pencil. I tested this out by retiring with the book on three suecessive evenings, and found, much to my surprise, tbat the book was so easy to read and so interesting that I didn't even mind postponing reading Chapter Four of "Another Country." On evening number one, I read the first pert of the hook, which includes the basic definitions and theorems of group theory. Now you've all heard theoretical chemists talk the mumbo-jumbo of symmetry operations, symmetry classifications, reducible and irreducible representations. character tables, etc. By reading the first 86pages of this book, you o m find out, as painlessly as is possible, approximately what is going an. Chapter Three is particularly useful, for in it you learn how to find to which point group B. molecule belongs. A numher of representative molecules are worked out to illustrate the procedure. I was able to follow the d i e cussion in this chapter even though my wife would not allow me to take any models to bed to aid my study of the text (as the author recommends). On evening number two, I read half of the last part of the book, which is on the applications of group theory to problems of chemical interest. I finished the chapters an the use of symmetry in the construction of hybrid orbitals and molecuIsr orbitals. This part of the book should be of considerable value to organic ebemists,since an excellent acwunt is given of the LCAO-MO method as applied to organic m-orbital problems. At the end of Chaptm Seven, the author makes the move toward inorganic applications by summarizing the results of the application of group theory to the problem of bonding in metal sandwich compounds. On the third evening, I first read the chapter (eight)on ligand field theory. The author diaeusses the eonst~etionof the energy level diagrams which are used to interpret spectral and magnetic properties of metal complexes. There are brief but good discussions of the crystalfield, molecular-orbital, ligand-field and valencebond approaches to the bonding in metal complexes. The last chapter is on molecular vibretions, a subject which I have avoided for years. But, knowing that if I Finished I could return to "Another Country" an the fallowing evening, I decided to attempt to read the last chapter. I t went down very well. The chapter gives a. good account of the power of the application of group theory to vibrational problems. In my view, "Chemical Applications of Group Theory" is a first-rate book. It seems to me that seniors and graduate students in most fields of chemistry will ~ r o f i tby reading it. There are minor errors here and there, but they are so trivial tbat they do not deserve space in the body of the review.' There is one final item. The appendix of character tables is a separate pamphlet which is placed in a brown paper pocket in the hack cover of the book. When someone b o m s your copy of the book, be (Continuad on page 114)
Volume 41, Number 2, February 1964
/
113
