CATALYSIS. VOLUME IV: HYDROCARBON SYNTHESIS. HYDROGENAT'ION AND CYCLIZATION Edited by P a u l H. Emmett, Professor of Chemistry, The Johns Hopkins University. Reinhold Publishing Corp., New York, 1956. vi 570 pp. 250 figs. 191 tables. 15.5 X 23.5 cm. $12.50.
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FOURTHin the exe~llentseries of reference works on the chemistrj~of catalysis and catalytic processing, this volume maintains the high attbndards of authoritativeness, fine organiaatian, compaetn m , and clarity of its thme predecessors. Volume IV is devoted primarily to ao apprsisal of the ourrent status of the Fi~rher-Trapschand related syntheses and perform8 a valuable srrvire in correlating, classilying, and evaluating the voluminons literature on this important reaction. In addition it presents a critical review of corrent concepts of the mechanism of cntal,vsis in a n area in which theory hes definitely not kept pace with practice. It should provide, for the practical chemist, a springboard in the search for profitable catalytic rosctions and, for the theoretical chemist, a sound base from n-hieh the understanding of detailed mechanisms may be extended. It should, therefore, be of value and interest to all chemists in the petroleum and ooal industries and to many in academic centers, as well. Chapter 1, by Robert B. Anderson, preeents a factual coverage of the thermodynamics of the hydrogenation of rarbon monoxide and of oarbon dioxide, of the reactions of water with carhon monoxide or carhon, of the reactions of hydrocarbons and alcohols, and of miscellaneous pertinent reactions of iron, cobalt, and nickel. Chapter 2, also by Anderson, is a readable and coordinated 227-page description of the factors influencing the activity, selectivity, and stability of cobalt, nickel, iron, and ruthenium catalysts in the Fischer-Tropsoh synthesis and the poisoning of catalysts by sulfur compounds. I n Chapter 3, Anderson has assembled pertinent data to the kinetics and reaction merhanism of tho Fischer-Tropsch synthesis and then evaluates critically the present t,heories which "fall far short of providing a unified picture capable of rxplaining or predicting kinetics, p1.omotor oficots, selectivity, ete." L. J. E . Hofer, in Chapter 4, presents a oritieal analysis of the relation of the crystalline phases involved in the formation, activation, and deactivation of Fisrher-Tropsch catalysts to the catalysis of t,he reaction. Chapter 5, by Ernst M. Cohn, covers "The 1sosvnthesis"-the reaction of 8. mixture of hydrogen and carhon monoxide over difficultly reduaihle oxide catalysts to
give predominant1.y saturated, branrhedchain, sliphatie hydroearhons containing four to eight carbon atoms. Chapter 6, by Murray Greyson, Chapter 7, by S. W. Weller, and Chapter 8, by H. Steiner, contain excellent critical surveys of "Methanation" and "Cittal,vsis in the Liquid-Phase Hydrogenation of Coal and Tar." Tenehers who may a t times foe1 somewhat isolated from practical industrial organic chemistry will h d that the blending of the practical and theoretical achieved in this volume will shortly make them feel a t home in the area of the Fischer-Tropsch reaction. C. A. VANDERWERF Uriv~ns~ OF~K rAN~AS L-QIKRENCE, KANLAB
THE SCIENCE MASTERS' BOOK. SERIES 111. PART 11: CHEMISTRY Edited by G. Fowles, E. H. Couhon, Baintree County High School, and Chorles Holt, Harrow Weald County Grammar School. John Murray, London, 1955. xi 286 pp. Many figs. 14.5 X 22 cm.
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THE editors have selected the experiments, apparatus, and teaching devices given here from those recorded in numbers 68 to 128, inclusive, of the School Science Reoiem. The hook consists of six parts and an index. Part I-Apparatus and Materials for General Use. The period over which this materid was assembled included the war years and consequently there are many hints and suggestions far making do with a minimum of facilities and material. Directions are given for the eonstruetion of special racks, the storage of equipment, and the construction of useful devices for many laboratory operations. Suggostions are made for the construction of a variety of gas generators, the preparation of reagents, the manipulation of gases, sources of compressed air, and the construction of instruments such as a. balance and a polarimeter. Part 11-Lecture Bench Experiments for Junior and Middle School Forms. These include a. series on gas volume ratios and quantitative experiments in somewhat greater number than is perhaps customary in this country and with apparatus which would not lend itself readily to observation by large classes. The line between lecture bench experiments and laboratory exercises appears to be a strictly arbitrary one. The combustion of magnesium in steam and certain other high temperature reactions seem to be more papular in Great Britain than they are in the United States s t the present time. Of interest to some will be a series of twelve gases which can be prepared hy
the wet asbestos method, using suitable liquid reagents and cracking agents. Part 111 consists of laboratory exercises for junior and middle forms and is divided approximately equally between qualitative and quantitative experiments. Most of these are to be found in either the general chemistry or elementary physical chemistry manuals which are in use in the United States. Part IV deals with lecture bench experiments for the sixth form and these are listed under oleotro-chemistry, catalysis, indicators, adsorption, osmosis, and miscellaneous. Mast of the items in this section are in common use in this countrv, although frequently distributed through more advanced courses in chemistry. Part V deals with labwittory exercises for the ~ i x t hform and involves materials usually found in elementary physical chemistry. Part VI-Small Scale Methods-is an enumeration of a number of semimicro techniques selected from hoth the areas of inorganic and organic ehemistry. This volume is one which should perhaps he found in any reasonably complete library of lecture demonstration materials snd-one from which mast anv teacher could extract items which nmdd be useful in his demonstration repertoire. Hou-ever, it does not contain a large number of experiments urhirh mould be directly adaptable t o either high school or first year college instnrrtion in this country.
INTRODUCTORY ORGANIC CHEMISTRY WITH CERTAIN CHAPTERS OF BIOCHEMISTRY
E.
Wertheim, Emeritus Professor of Organio Chemistry, University of Arkansas, and Harold Jeskey, Associate Pmfessor of Chemistry, Southern Methodist University. Third edition. McGrawHill Book Company, Inc., New York, 1956. vii 476 pp. 83 figs. 3 5 tahles. 15 X 2 3 cm. $5.50.
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THE text is the second revision of a hook intended for short courses in organic chemistry taken by pre-professional st11dents. The authors' stated aims are to ensure a working knowledge of organic chemistry and to keep the student aware of his previous work in chemistry while preparing him for any courses which may follow. Many excellent study aids to help in achieving these objectives have been retained from previous editions. In oarticular. the numerous auestians.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL EDUCATION
