RECENT ROOKS THE STANDARDIZATIOX OF VOLUMETRIC %LUTIONS. R. B . Bradstreet. Second Edition. Chemical Publishing - Company, Inc., Brooklyn, New York, 1944. viii 151 pp. 13.5 X 21 cm. $3.75. "Ordinarily, a standardized solution is a means to an end and not the end itself. Therefore, a set of good methods for preparing such solutions is very ,welcome . In this hook, the author has gathered together methods which have stood the test of laboratory experience, and has described them in a concise manner all ready for rapid laboratory use. This book is not for the beginner, since it presupposes a general knowledge and practice of analytical chemistry. I t is a handy reference work for the man who must hurry to get his results. The discussions of the methods and their good and bad points are short and very useful. The teat is replete with helpful hints, equations, tables of important data, expressions for calculatingnormalities, etc." Harry L. Fisher, who wrote this Foreward, continues: ' T h e writer believes that his friend and former associate has done his self-appointed task well." The reviewer does not subscribe wholeheartedly to this judgment. Parts of the book are good, hut the three introductory chapters are very weak. They deal with general considerations such as the basis of the normal system, temperature e5ects on the strength of solutions, calibration of apparatus, theory of indicators, etc. The treatment is not extensive enough to have much, if any, value for either novices c x experienced analysts. Chapter I V (pp. 3 1 4 7 ) gives a rCsumC of the literature on ahout 50 primary standards. This compilation, with its numerous references t o the literature. is a good piece of work. In all likelihood, the author had no first-hand acquaintance with a good many of these standard substances, and consequently has not made definite recommendations. Chapters V, VI. VII (pp. 48-100) describe the preparation and/or standardization of solutions of HC1, H2S01. NaOH, KOH. Ba(OH)%,NH40H, K(NH.)CNS. A ~ N O JICFe(CN)s, , Is, SarSpOn,KMnOh. KsCn%, FeSO., As20.. KBrOa. KIOZ,Ce(SOh. Alternative methods are given in many instances. The author's familiarity with these procedures is quite apparent and they may therefore be taken as reliable. Nowhere in this book is there even mention of expressing the strength of a solution in terms Likewise, factor weight solutions, etc., other than "nomality." are entirely neglected. Chapter VIII (pp. 101-112) discusses s.,lutions of ICI (Wijs), IBr (Hanus), ICNS, chloramine-T. Ca(OCI)s, NaCIOs, TiC5, Mn.(SO.).. Each of these four chapters is provided with many references to the original literature. However, the latest entries are dated 1939, even though this edition appeared in 1944. There is very little difference between this "completely revised and enlarged" edition, and the original that appeared in 1938. There is a definite need for a comprehensive, well-planned. carefully written text on this important subject. This book provides a start, but it certainly does not fill the bill. The price is absurdly high. RALPHE. O E S P ~
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ITNIVBRS~TY01 CINEINNATI CINC~NLIATI, OHlO
HACKH'SCHEMICAL DICTIONARY (American and British usage) Revised and edited by Julius Grant. Third Edition. The Rlakiston Company, Philadelphia, 1944. xii 925 pp. Illustrated. 17 X 25 cm. $12. Because of the untimely death of the author of this well-known dictionary. Ingo W. D. Hackh, the work of preparing the third edition has been the task of his former British collaborator, Dr. Julius Grant. I n carrying out this work, Dr. Grant has preserved the style and format of the earlier editions but has eliminated or toned down some of the innovations sponsored by Dr. Hackh which were not generally accepted by chemists, such as the structural symbols and shorthand methods for representing chemical compounds. The most important change is the omission of the
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key for pronouncing chemical terms. which, according to Dr. Grant. "can be of little real use while every chemist remains a law unto himself on such matters." The number of delinitions has been increased from 50,000 to 57,000, and each has been re written, where necessary, to remove ambiguities and inaccura cies. Italics are now used for cross references. Some saving of space bas been accomplished by more efficient type setting with a corresponding reduction in the number of pages from 1020 to 925, and in compliance with war restrictions, the paper is thinner but still sufficiently opaque t o be quite satisfactory. In checking through a list of terms which have been added t o the vocabulary of the chemist in recent years the reviewer noted no omic sions; both British and American usage are rdected. This dictionary in the greatly improved third edition should receive wide acceptance and the authors and publishers deserve praisr for their efforts in making it available. LAURENCES. FOSTER M A S S A C E I U S B ~ TINST~TOTB ~ 0 s TBCRNOLOOY CAMBPJDCB, MASJACAUSBTTS
CELLULOSE AND CELLULOSE DERIVATIVES. (High Polymers. A Series of Monographs on the Chemistry, Physics, and Technology of High Polymeric Substances. Volume V.) . Editor, End Otl, Director of Research, Hercules Powder Company. Wilmington. Delaware. Interscience Publishers, Inc., New York, 1943. xix 1176 pp. 288 figs. 102 tables. 15.5 X 23.5 cm. $15. This treatise is Volume V in "High Polymers," a series of monographs on the chemistry, physics, and technology of high polymeric substances. Volume I V in the series contained a discussion of cellulose but in Volume V the treatment is greatly expanded. This book of 1176 pages consists of 46 essays by 36 contributors. The list of contributors contains the names of two government chemists, ten chemists associated with research institutes, twenty industrial chemists, and only three university chemists. The latter three are immigrants from Europe and in the case of two of them the main hulk of their published work has been done on that continent. The conclusion can be drawn correctly that the suhject of cellulose has never greatly interested American university investigators. On the other hand, the great economic importance of the cell,uloseindustry has led to many contributions, especially those of a technologicalnature,fromAmerican industrial chemists. The statement is made by one of the contributors (W. E. Gloor) that American government statistics show that the cellulose and closely related industries constitute 25 per'cent of the national total in product valuation. The roll of cooperating authors includes the names of two members of the technical staff of the Du Pant Company, and the editor is to be congratulated on his ability t o break the customary silence of this important group of American cellulose technologists. It is t o h e regretted that only American residents are included in the contributing authors. A more international flavor would have been desirable. I t would seem that even in these troublous times, same contributions could have heen arranged from the Canadian and English workers. among whom are a number of very outstanding investigators. As an apology far this general situation, the editor states that many of the authors received their training in European centers. The introductory statement of the editor that a historical treatment would not be essayed, is followed almost immediately by one of the best historical surveys (by Purves) of cellulose chemistry the reviewer has seen. Throughout the b w k , the historical treatment has been adequate. Indeed, without this, there is no true scholarship. The review of the organic s m c t u r e of the cellulose molecule by Purves is excellent and detailed but it leaves the reader with the impression that the structural formula of cellulose is a closed book. As a matter of fact. the data assembled are far from satisfvine the r r a r t i n ~crntcria laid down by orgnnic chemistry for the eat& li>hmcntof a stru~mualformula. Thrre is nothing in the present
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conceptions t o account for the high sensitivity of the molecule toward oxidation by air in alkaline solution (cuprammonia) or suspension. No mention is made of the results of Jackson and Hudson (1938) on the hydrolysis of periodate-oxidized cellulose to glyoxal and erythrose, a result which was a beautiful confirmation of the presence of the 2.3-glycol grouping. Mare emohasis mieht be eiven to the structural and chemical imnlications " of the h ~ t e r ~ g e n e oand u ~ conlplete d~uteriumexchange rcartion of rrllulure as meamred hy Champetier s r ~ dViallard (1938). In the section on hasc-exchange propertie, hy Soohnr and Hami* a carboxyl gronp suddenly appears in the cellulose molecule, albeit in a rather doubtful status for "native" cellulose. An excellent exposition of the kinetics of cellulose hydrolysis is given by Mark and Harris. I n the discussion by Rutherford and Harris of the behavior of cellulose toward oxidizing agents and light. no mention is made of the extreme sensitivity of cuprammoninm solutions of cellulose toward these agents. The development of the application of the x-ray techniques to cellulose as outlined by Sisson, constitutes a fascinating chapter in cellulose chemistry. The reviewer has never been satisfied with the terminologyof thecellulose x-ray workers. After having spent some years of work in laboriously attempting to crystallize sirups, it seems sacrilegious to term glibly a material like cellulose "crystalline." Some othek name would be desirable. The situation is not improved by employing the term "crystallite" for "micelle." After having placed cellulose on a "crystalline" basis, the direction of matters is now reversed and throughout the book the old but recently revived concept of "crystalline" and "intercrystalline" portions of cellulose seems to be the fashionable theme. It becomes the universal elixir, the panacea for all difficulties, and is used to explain well nigh anything. A peculiar, wavering treatment of the cellulose particle theory by Sisson is finally settled by a small footnote reference t o the electron-microscope work of Barnes and Burton. As painted out later in the text, the particle theory of cellulose structure did stimulate a great deal of work. The reviewer doubts the quotation, on page 281, from Japanese workers, that any form of cellulose, even "water cellulose," is stable toward mineral acids. The essay by Norman on the carbohydrates normally associated with cellulose in nature, shows that this difficult field is admittedly in a very elementary state. The reviewer recommends the lignin chapter by Brauns as a brief and clear summary of the structurally significant portions of the many publications on the subject. The section on cellulose derivatives is noteworthy and authoritative. Although these materials are soluble and optically active, no rotatory data are cited for any. The extremely interesting reaction of denitration by hydrosulfide is barely mentioned. More information is needed on the properties of cellulose sulfates, particularly in relation t o cellulose nitrate stabilization. I t is the reviewer's experience that some carbohydrate sulfates are remarkably stable toward hydrolysis. It would appear that the alkali cellulose problem might be illuminated by more assiduous attempts to apply equilibrium concepts, so successfully accomplished for the nitration reaction. After a little laboratory experience, the reviewer is interested to note that even the industrial experts admit that "the production of cellulose ethers still remains an art that is learned by experience." An excellent summation of the present status of the physics of the high-polymer conception of cellulose is contained in the section on the physical properties of cellulose and derivatives. The contributors t o the theoretical development of this subject are Spurlin, Huggins, and Mark. Some technical aspects are discussed hy Pfeiffer, Osborn, and Nickerson. T o the reviewer, ensconced in his vine-covered cloister of academic uselessness, the essay by Gloor on the technical applications of the physical properties of cellulose and its derivatives. is extremely fascinating although no doubt it is rather trite reading far the industrial chemist. I n accordance with what mieht be exoected from a arouo " - . of ccllulosc experts, the quality of paper stock in the bwk is above the present national average.
To summarize, the reviewer believes that this book very adequately fulfills a great need for a modern and authoritative treatise on cellulose and its technology. While the structural end is not neglected, perhaps the main emphasis has been on the treatment of cellulose and its reactions from the standpoint of the new concepts of high-polymer chemistry. This is in order. That the field of cellulose chemistry is vital and active is illustrated by the fact that just before the b w k went to press, a considerable amount of work appeared on the investigation of cellulose by the electron microscape technique. Most of these publications are merely cited and time did not allow of their discussion. Thus it should be evident that the field of carbohyhate chemistry is still a very active one and not all of the work therein was rompleted by Eniil Fischer and his coworkers. M. L. WOLFROM T n e Omo S r m s U N X V ~ P S ~ N Col.axa~rs,Onro
A MANUAL FOR EXPLOSIVES LABORATORIES.Supplement Number Two. G. D. Clift, B. T.Fedoroff, and D. G. Young. Lefax Soeiety, Inc., Philadelphia, 1943. 1% pp. 9.6 X 17.6 cm. $1.00. "Manual for Explosives Laboratories. Supplement Number Two" is a most welcome addition to the Manual and Supplement Number One (see JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL EDUCATION, Augnst. 1943). The second supplement contains an excellent subject index, as well as descriptions of laboratory methods not found in the previous sections. They include methods used in the explosives industry and methods used in other fields, such as fuels. water purification, mineral acids, sodium sulfite, etc. This manual will not only he welcome t o the men working in explosives laboratories, but i t should be used in the technical laboratories of universities. It shows the broad scope of the activity of the analytical chemist in one of the most modern industries. E. BERL CABN&OIB I N S T I ~ T Bon TBCRNOLOEY
P I T T S B U B OPBNNSYLVANIA ~,
HANDBOOK OII CHEMISTRY, Norbert A. Lunge, Lecturer in chemistry a t Cleveland College of Western Reserve University, Compiler and Editor; assisted by Gordon M. Forker, General Electric Company, Cleveland. Ohio; with an appendix of mathematical tables and formulas by Richard S. Burington, Associate Professor of Mathematics a t Case School of Applied Science. Fifth Edition. Handbook Publishers. Inc., Sandusky. Ohio. 1944. 2092 pp. 14 X 20 cm. $6.00. The most important change claimed for the fifth edition of this well-known handbook, now in its 11th year, is the complete revision of the Tables of Physical Constants of Organic Compounds, where 6507 compounds are listed with a corresponding list of more than 3500 synonyms. Where possible, Beilstein references are included. Other tables which have been revised are the following: Organic Reagents for Inorganic Analysis; Common Hazardous Chemicals; Vitamins; Drinking Water Standards; Standard Calibration Table for Chromel-Alumel Thermocouples; Probable Values of the General Physical Ccnstants; Densities of Aqueous Solutions of Hydrochloric, Nitric. andSulfnric Acids; and Trade Names of Chemicals. The 200year calendar hasbeenincreased to 300 years. New tablesinclude Deming's Periodic Table and lists of Flammable Liquids; Flame Temperatures; Plastics; Fluorescence of Chemicals, Minerals, and Gems; and Water for Industrial Use. The quality of the paper used in this war edition is excellent. the flexible binding is very satisfactory. permitting the book to lie open a t any page, and the type style is very readable. The editor is to he commended for the continued excellence of this useful handbook. LAURENCE S.FOSTER
