book reviews Editor: W. F. KIEFFER College of Woorter Woorter, Ohio
Chemical Equilibrium
Robert B. Fischw, California State College, Dominguez Hills, and Dennis G. Peters, Indians. University, Bloomington. W. B. Saunders Co., Philadelphia, 1970. viii 285 pp. Figs. and tables. 15 X 22.5 om. Softbound, $3.95.
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Chemical Reaction Mechanisms
George M . Fleek, Smith College. Holt, Rinehart and Winston, Inc., New York, 235 pp. Figs. and tables. 1971. xi 23.5 X 16 cm. $10.95.
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This book will Dmbablv not realize its
This excellent small book is an offspring of the larger volume by the same authors, "Quantitative Chemical Analysis," in that it collects essentially the same expositions of chemical equilibrium principles but leaves out the applications and emphasis on analytical procedures. This reviewer has used the larger text for three years with his classes, and finds the strengths and good features nicely reorganized in the small book. The explanations of solubility equilibria, acid-base systems, complexation and oxidation-reduction are very well done, and a, wealth of carefullypresented solutions to problems is of tremendous benefit in preparing the student for one of the best features of the text, namely, the very large selection of excellent and varied pmblems. Answers to most of the latter are included in an appendix. I t is especially gratifying to see such clear explanations of the nature of pH measurements, the thermodynamic conventions regarding galvanic cells, the effects of complexation and acidity on solubility, and the intelligent use of successive farmstion constants. The book is heartily recommended for the latter part of a solid introductory chemistry course, or far curricula which have a separate course in aqueous equilibria.
science packaged in three lectures a week accompanied by a three hour cooking session. Instead, it leads the reader to believe that he should he taking up newly found ideas in kinetics and playing with their consequences in the laboratory. (It conveys a uniquely realistic impression of what experimental kinetics requires.) Moreover, the hook doesn't tell a student too much. Its concern is kinetics. After stimulating good kinetic experimentation and thoughtful data reduction, the book assumes t,hat its readers would like to consult various expert and primary sources for discussion of mechanisms. (In fact, the title is slightly misleading-the rate law is the subject of this book and other approaches to mechanism get little attention.) In sum, what this book does is to define s. problem area for its readers, hand them a tool kit, and invite them to address the pmblem actively in the laboratory and the library. Perhaps the revolution will come (or else be obviated) if we can find the ways to use such imaginative and stimulating pedagogic material in our structured coumes. Fleck suggests that the book is suitable for freshman students. The mathematics is treated with appmpriate clarity, but, I must admit, that I don't have the nerve to RICHARD W. RAMETTE toss a reaction as complex as the one beCarleton College tween Cr(II1) and EDTA (Fleck's first Northfield, Minn. 66067 ease study) a t a student who is without
-Reviewed
in this ksue
Robert B. F i s d e ~and D a n i s G. Peters, Chemical Equilibrium Gemge M . Fledc, Chemical Reaction Mechanisms William L . Jolly, The Synthesis and Characterization of Inorganic Compounds W . E. Harris and B. Kratoehvil, Chemical Analysis: An Intensive Introduction to Modern Analysis R. Jenkins and J . L. DeVries, Practical X-Ray Spectrometry Douid N. Lapedes, David I . Eggenberger, et al., editors, McGrav-Hill Encyclopedia of Science and Technology Charles E. White and Robert J . Argauer, Fluorescence Analysis: A Practical Approach Thomas H . Chillon, Strong Water: Nitric Acid; Its Sources, Methods of Manufacture and Uses R. McWemy, Spins in Chemistry Mmris W . Lemer, The Analysis of Elemental Boron New Volumes in Continuing Series
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some accumulated familiarity with chemical systems. I would prefer to use the haok in a first physical chemistry course. I think it covers the things a student should get at that level now. The discussions of chemical relaxation, enzyme crttalysis, the steady state, reversibility, irreversibility, and encounter are models of what should be included in a serious introduction to solution kinetics. The very brief treatment of transition state theory which is reserved to the last chapter may seem a disadvantage. But, in a period when serious kineticists are increasingly interested in going beyond transition state theory, it may he very valuable to see how little of our understanding of reaction mechanism really depends upon explicit application of that theory (as opposed to use of terms fmm that theory as a. eonvenient parameteriastion). Many teachers of general, physical, inorganic, and biochemistry will get good ideas from this book. More to the point, lots of copies should wind up with lab stains. COOPERH. LANGFOHD Carleton University Ottawa 1. Canada
The Synthesis and Characterization of Inorganic Compounds
William I,. Jolly, University of California, Berkeley. Prentice-Hall, Inc., Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, 1970. 590 pp. Figs. and tables. 16 X xi 23.5 om. $15.95.
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Ten years have elapsed since the puhlication of the author's "Synthetic Inorganic Chemistry," which forms the basis for the book under review. As a. result of his masterly revision, expansion, and rewriting, Professor Jolly has rendered his earlier volume completely obsolete. Although the topics and their arrangement are largely the same in both works, the extent of revision is so great as to make the later volume truly a new and different book. For example, the author's treatment of thermodynamics, originally a section of a mere 7'/. pages, has been expanded to s, chapter of 43 pages. The number of chapters has been doubled (from 16 to 32), and the number of preparations has been increased from 18 to 39. All in all, the new book is three times the length of the old one C590 pp. vemus 196pp.). The author strongly believes that the tedium and lack of purpose often associated with preparations courses can he avoided by examining the motivations of the synthetic chemist. Hence he begins his book by posing and answering. the fundamental hut, often neglected question, "Why do chemists prepare new compounds?" Other general a5pects of synthesis are considered in this first preliminary chapter, which is followed by the first of the four main sections of the hook, entitled Synt.hetic Principles (68 pp.). In two chapters, the author explores "the whys and wherefores" of
(Continued on page A4GS) Volume
48, Number 7, July 1971
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book reviews synthetic inorganic chemistry by applying thermodynamics and kinetic3 to the prediction and rationalization of nrenarative procedures. Most of the -illustrative examples are chosen from the recent literatme, e.g., XeF2, XeF,, and PtF.. I n the second and longest section of the hook, Synt.hetic Techniques (174 pp.), the theoretical emphasis of the first section is counterbalanced by an emphasis on practical aspects including elementary techniques (vaporisatition, recrystsllisstion, and extracbion of solids); solvents (including a theoretical treatment of d v e n t systems); maintenance and measurement of low temperatures; manipulation in an inert atmosphere; the vacuum line; gas chromatography; electrolytic synthesis; high-temperahre processes; eleetric-disehsree ion-exchanee: ., svnthesis: " high-pressure apparstus; photochemical synthesis; growing crystals from aqueous solution; liquid-liquid extraction; and liquid moving-phase chromatography. The third section, Compound Characterization (164 pp.), considers the topics: st,nlctore from chemical data; chemical analysis and elementary physical met.hods; infrared spectrometry; electronic spectra; optical activity; nuclear magnetic resonance; magnetic susceptihilit,y; electron spin resonance; mass spectrometry; X-ray diffraction; and other spectroscopic techniques. The fourth and last section of the hook, Syntheses (104 pp.), hegius with a. short but extremely useful chapter on the literature of synthetic inorganic chemistry. Another short chapter outlines the course and det,ails the requirements in the use of apparatus and techniques for synthesis and chsmcterization that must be folfilled by the student in his choice of suitable preparations. The final chapter, Syntheses, constitutes about one-sixth the length of the hook and gives detailed specific directions for the preparation of some 50 compounds arranged under 39 headings. I t might well serve as a model for writers of laboratory manuals. Professor Jolly knows that adherence to detail often spells the difference between failure and success. The procedures are replete with equations; time requirements (both total time required and actual working time are specified); preliminsry study assignments; lists of reagents and equipment, including amounts required; snalysis; characterieation; and questions. Although a few ueremlial favorites such as uotassium
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use, is the large number of problems and questions (152, 39 of which deal directly with the experiments). Appendicessummarise valuable information. Inasmuch as the selection of a laboratory manual is dictated by the individual instructor's own needs and preferences, I would recommend that he compare the new book with others already on the market. A list of these with references to reviews will be found in the review of Angelici's "Synthesis and Technique in 47, Inorganic Chemistry," [THISJOURNAL, A122 (1970)l. Jolly's excellent book is much longer and more comprehensive than most and is accordingly more expensive. Whether used alone or in conjunction with other manuds, i t is a unique reference book and text and should prove to he a standard vadc mecum for hoth the pract,icing inorganic chemist and the inst,ructor of laboratory courses in synthetic inorganic chemistry.
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Journal of Chemical Education
JOHN C. MACDONALD Fairfield University Fairfield, Conn. 06450
GEORGEB. KAUFFMAN California State College Frcsno 93710
Practical X-Ray Spectrometry Chemical Analysis: An Intensive lnlroduclion to Modern Analysis
W . E. Harris and I3. Kraloehvil, hoth of University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada. Barnes & Noble, Inc., New York, 1970. viii 220 pp. Figs. and tables. 24 X 17 cm. $4.25.
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This laboratory manual presents the experiments used by the authors in their courses of introductory andytical chemistry. The chapter headings me: (1) Laboratory Operations (requiring 8 to 10 hr of lahoratory time); (2) Nan-instm: mental Experiments (45 to 60 hr); (3) Instrumental Experiments (50 to 65 br); (4) Supplementary Information (for teachers and students). The nine non-instrumental determinations properly emphasize volumetric methods and are precipitation titrations of CIwith Ag+, COa- with HC, CaB+ with EDTA, Fea+ with Mn0,-, copper in brass using iodine, glycols with 10.-, S0,Zgravimetricdly with Bag+,potentiometric titrations using Ce'+, and total salt using a. cation exchange resin. The eleven instrumental experiments properly emphasize optical methods and are visual determination of ammonia using Nessler tubes, spectrophotometric determination of iron usine hiuvridine. nhotometric titration of &on. "using 'EDTA, atomic absorption spectrometry, simultaneous spectrophotometric determination of cobalt and nickel using EDTA, simultaneous infrared determination of four comoff the beaten track. ponent mixture (spectra. provided and Safety pncuuiotti arc p ~ w k . e ~ . t l y computer calculstions suggested), radioGIN-+$I, rtr w r d l br eupcvrrd
