As in the case of the author's more extensive "Micro and Semimicro Methods" (reviewed in J. CHEM.EDUC.,32, 234 (1955)), the text abounds with simple hints and tips which result only from long experience. Despite the very large amount of information, both background and experimental, contained between the covers, the text reads easily; one is inclined to forget that the subtitle is "A Laboratory Manual." I t is definitely a major contribution to the teaching of experimental soienoe.
JOHN T. STOCK The University of Connecticut Stows
Theoretical Principles of Organic Chemistry. Volume 2 Walter Huckel, Professor of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Tubinger University, Germany. Translated from the corrected 7th German edition by F. H . Rathmnn. Elsevier Publishing CamDanv. distributed hv D. Van Nostrand 1046 'Co.; inc., ~ r i n c e t o iN. J. xi pp. 18 X 26 cm. $19.
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I t is an aphorism, commonly attributed to chemists, that, "no man can pass the same examination twice; indeed, few can pass it the first time." Professor Hiickel attempts in this "Theoretisohe Grundlagen Der Organisehen Chemie" to set forth the necessary basic concepts to enable the young student to better understand the significant guiding principles of organic chemistry and thus m&?teridlyimprove his performance on exsminations. Moreover, those who feel that the German language is an "invention of the devil and contrary to the Scriptures" will he comforted in the knowledge that this excellent work is available in an English translation. This volume is not s monograph; it is an intermediate text book designed for students who have had only the intraductory courses in organic and physical chemistry. Inasmuch as the author critically analyzes the older concepts and traces the historical development of the subject, the young student should be completely oriented in the transition to the more modern and complex ideas. The second volume begins with Book 111, Constitution and Physical Properties. Chapter X I (58 pp.) deals with Thermal Magnitudes, as heats of combustion, thermodynamic data, density, and molecular volume. Chapter XI1 (98 pp.) considers the electrical properties of molecules under the headings of: the molecule as a. system of electrioal chasges; the dielectric constant; the determination of the dipole moment; dipole moment and constitution, symmetry, valence angle, free rotation, and intramolecular salts in aqueous solutions. Chapter XI11 (93 pp.) describes the behavior of matter in an alternating electrical field: the theory of dispersion, infrared spectra and the Raman effect, anisotropism of the polarizahility, and molecular mfmrtion.
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of corresponding states, boiling points, surface tension, association, the hydrogen bridge bond, and solubility. Chapter XV (94 pp.) examines the ordered states of organic substances in the liquid and in the cr,ystal states then deals with lattice structures and the relations to the structure of molecules. This section concludes with an interesting study of hiqh molecular weight polymers, principally cellulose and rubber. Chapter XVI (52 pp.) Colloidal Chemical Properties, is an excellent treatment of the colloidal behavior of soaps, starches, cellulose, glycogen systems. The remaining chapter in Book 111 (150 pp.) is a thoroughgoing treatment of information relating to the chemical hand with reference to organic structures. Book IV is a general survey of Canstitution and Reaction Velocity. It contains three chapters: XVIII, Theow of R e x tion Velocity (48 pp.); X I S , Reaction Velocity Constant and Constitution (133 pp.); and XX, Reaction Velocity and Equilibrium (75 PP.). This textbook should find a generous reception among chemists; in particular, it should he useful for intermediate students seeking to develop their theoretical knowledge of classical organic chemistry. GEORGEH O L ~RICHTER S The Rice Institzcte Texas Ho~~stan. Free Radicals
Collected papers of Francis Owen Rice, Professor of Chemistry. The Catholic University of America Press, Washing278 pp. ton, D. C., 1958. xii 21.5 X 28 em. Paper bound. $5.
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Seldom can the collected scientific publications of one person be given s. definitive title. The exception is "Free Radicals." Few chemists bsve to ask whose papers thus are being reprinted under one cover. Many of these papem are valuable far beyond any narrow field; they are important to all whose concern is the mechanism of chemicd rextions. Sixty articles have been reproduced, arranged chronologically, (1931-58), hut without any index.
W. F. K. Biophysical Chemistry.
Volume 1
John T . Edsall, Biological Laboratories, Harvard University, and Jeffries Wyman, Middle East Science Cooperation Office, UNESCO. Academic Press, 699 pp. Inc., New York, 1958. xv Many figs. and tables. 16 X 23.5 cm. $14.
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As the title indicates, this is a physical chemistry book, with coverage limited to topics which are of interest to students of biology and biological chemistry. I t is also a. textbook, developed out of a. graduate-level course which has been given a t Harvard for the past 25 years. The topics covered include the geachemical environment and its history, the properties of water and carbon dioxide, electroststie~(including the Debye-Hiic-
kel theory, dipoles and dielectric constants, and salting-out effects) conductivity of electrolytes, acid-baw equilibria (with an extended discussion of polyhasic acids), and the binding of molecules by other molecules or by ions. All of these subjects are handled with special emphasis upon their biological aspeet~. Illustrative examples are drawn almost entirely from systems of biological interest. The research reputations of the authors pmctieally guarantee the authoritstiveness of the treatment, but it is satisfying to note that the ~eleotionof material for presentation is also excellent, the arrangement logical, and the exposition generally clear. This is not to say that this is an easy book. Physical chemistry is seldom easy, and this reviewer believes that the mat e d is sufficiently difficult to extend the better students and to leave the poor ones far behind. I t is d m unlikely that the book could be used for self-study by any but the very best students. A teacher with a knack for lucid explanation should be on hand to help the students over the difficult spots and to set &might the inevitable typographical errors. The book is, however, recommended without hesitation as a text for a high-level aom8e given by a capable teacher far capahle students. The treatment is classical throughout, with many mathemittioal derivations of the nort long familiar to students of physics and phynical chemi~try. The derivation^ are formal and generalized, in the best msthematical tradition, but a t the same time the authors have, as they say, "considered it vitally important to give illustrations of the general principles from actual experimental data." This serves to keep the treatment down to earth and fully alive. The experimental data are beautifully chosen, and extremely up-todate (Rohbins and Boyer's work on the free energy of hydrolgsis of ATP, for example). A valuable feature of the book is the list of references, which include both upto-date and classic monographs and books, as well ss research papers. A list of prahlems is included at the end of the chapter on acid-base equilihris, but the teacher will have to supply his own problems on all other subjects. The hook is relatively free of misprints, but those which do occur are in some cases serious and would be quite misleading to an inexperienced student. Misstatements are even more rase. The reviewer would take exception only to the assertion that energy is required to form peptide bonds chiefly because of the separated charges an the peptide ion. With this single exception, the material appears to be well chosen, and excellently presented. Particularly fine are the discussions of dielectric constant, p H standards, and the effect of imidazole on the pressure of GOn in equilibrium with solutions of NaHCOa (a sort of simplified hemoglobin model). The book is heartily recommended either as a text for s course, or as reading matter for the biochemist who wishes to ~
tC,mtinued on page A84O)
BOOK REVIEWS get a new slant on old material or to review subjects which he has forgotten. A second volume is promised, dealing with macromolecules and their study by means of osmotic pressure, diffusion, light scattering, etc., and including also several chapters on the physical chemistry of blood. PETEROEEPER Hahnemann Medical College Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Robert Boyle and Seventeenth Century Chemistry .llarie lluar, Aar;istant P n h * o r of the Ilisrory of Jcimrr, Brandpis 11rriwrsit.v. C'sml>ri&zeVr.ivrrsitr Prrsr. N:w York. 1958. v i i 235 p i . 14 x 22 cm. '
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Robert Boyle is widely known to scientists for the law which hears his name, less widely for his leadership in the newly founded Royal Society. Chemists are frequently familiar with his "Sceptical Chymist" and its definition of the chemical element. Beyond this there is generally a vague realilieation that Boyle was a contemporary of Issac Newton who was important primarily as a physicist. In this volume Miss Boas places Boyle in his proper setting as a chemical philos-
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opher who labored mightily to clear away the alchemical vagueness about forms and qualities in order to arrive a t a clearer understanding of the nature of chemical substances. Boyle's role in establishing the concept of chemical identity is clearly his major contribution to chemical progress. In previous periods there was a great deal of confusion regarding the identity of mineral~,salts, acids, alkalies, oils, and spirits. Even the identity of common salt from
chemically dissimilar substances were lumped into the same category on the basis of superficid physical resemblances, i.e., oil of vitriol, olive oil, oil of turpentine. It was Boyle, more then anyone else, who attacked these uncertainties and began to unravel chemical composition. He questioned the value of analysis by fire (destructive distillation) as a means of identifying the true components of natural materials and introduced the practice of utilizing synthetic methods in order to duplicate existing suhstances and thereby gain clues as to their composition. Further, his systematic use of specific gravity, flame tests, acid-base indicators, other color test reagents, and characteristic chemical reactions was the foundation of qudit8,tive analysis. The hook presents a. sharp insight into the chm~rscterof Boyle who could, on the one hand, reveal an acute understanding of a natural phenomenon, and on the other, fail to follow up an ohvious modification
of his own experiments in order to clarify a grave uncertainty. His wealth enabled him to surround himself with secretaries and laboratory assistants. His prodigious output of published work has made evaluation difficult since the author who writes a great deal is sure to contradict himself. Miss Boas has done a masterful job of comparing not only printed works hut manuscripts as well to arrive at an understanding of the role of Boyle in the development of chemical thought. The seventeenth century is revealed as one in which a great deal of chemical activity was going on. Boyle, who was widely read in the natural philosophy of his predecessors (Bacon, Galileo, Dee cartes) despite his affectations to the contrary, was a major figure in diverting chemistry from the medico-chemical emphasis of such figures as Lihavins, Beguin, Helmont, Tachenius, and Glauher, to a physical orientation. As a confirmed atomist Boyle was among the first to look upon chemical phenomena from a physical point of view. While nearly a century would pass before such an approach would become generally accepted, the tentative groping of Boyle was a necessary prelude to scientific chemistry. The hook performs a valuable function in opening up a period which has not been generally appreciated among chemists. IHDE AARON University of Wisconsin Madison
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