CHEMISTRY OF CARBON COMPOUNDS. VOLUME 4. PART A: HETEROCYCLIC COMPOUNDS Edited by E. H. Rodd. Elsevier Publish807 ing Co., New Yo&, 1957. xxvi pp. 67 tables. 16 X 23 cm. $28. WITH Part A of Volume 4, the E. H. Rodd series "Chemistry of Carbon Compounds" enters it8 penultimate stage. Previous Volumes 1 through 3 have eovered the subjects of aliphatic, alicyclic, and aromatic compounds. Volume 4 proposes to cover that of heterocyclic compounds. I n view of the fact that "the literature of the heterocyclic branoh of organic chemistry bids fair to exceed that of all other branches," and in order to "accommodate the material in books of not too formidable a size and also t o accelerate puhlieation," the editor has chosen to issue Volume 4, "Heterocyclic Compounds," in three parts instead of the previously planned two. The present volume ~.epresmt,sthe first part of these tbpce. Follom-ing the completion of Volume 4, there remains only Volume 5, "Miscellaneous and General Index," for the completion of Rodd's "Modern Comprehensive Treatise," whioh justifiably looks upon itself as the successor to Richter's "Organic Chemistr."." The first two "arts of Volume 4 concern them-
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their derivatives, including many simpler natural products. The third part will consider the mare complex groups of natural products. The present volume starts with the three-membered ring of ethylene oxide, continues through the four- and fivemembered rings and concludes with the six-membered rings of pyridine, its homologs and fused-ring analogs. It concerns itself exclusively with chemicslly stithle heterocycles. The hetern-atoms considered in the present volume include one or more 0, N, S, Se, Te, As, or P atoms. Nomenclature and numbering, delineated briefly in Rodd's Introduction, follow the practices of "The Ring Index," except in those cases where previous nomenclature usage has firmly established variant names by oommon consent. The general format, organization, and emphasis of the present volume continue the pmtiees of the earlier volumes. Numerous equations illustrate the syntheses and reactions discussed, and numerous tables summarize the properties of the mare important heterooycles in each class. Data. range from historically significant and chemically important early facts to "matter published as recently as 1957." Contributors to Editor Rodd's present volume include the B r i e ish chemiats, S. Caffey, N. Camphell, R. E. Fairbairn, E. Hogarth, J. D. Loudon, and T . S. Stevens. The subject index to
REVIEWED IN THIS ISSUE
E. H . Rodd, Editor, Chemistrv of Carbon compound^. Volume 4. Part A: Hetcm cyclic Compounds
M . G. .lfellon, Chemical Publications: Their Nature and Use C. Reid, Excited States in Chemistry and Biology R . II'. .Wonvie& Man-made Fibres E. L. Il'liesler., Scientific Glassblowing P. H. Groggins, Editor, Unit. Processes in Organic Synthesis I,. Jcon Royerl, Fundamentala of Chemistry John Il'illiam B n k w , I3lectronic Theories of Organic Chemistry F. S . Dainton, Chain Iteaetions, An Introduction Van Sosttmd's Seienitfia Eneyelopedia-Third Edition W . I.Sxolhers and Y m Chiang, Differential Thermal Analysis C h d e s 11'. Shoppee, Chemistp of the Steroids Cmrlinc: Handhueh der Anorganischen Chemie. Systematic Suhjert Index Gmelins Handhueh der Anorganischen Chemie. System 60: Copper N . J . L. Xeyson, Phenolic Resin Chemistry Block, Darrsn,, and Zzueig, A Manual of Paper Chromatography and Paper Eleet,rnph01.,~sis J. Bwlan Hoag, Editor, Nurlrer Reactor Experiments A f . Zelikgff, Editor, The Threshold of Space Alillon J . Allen, Organic Electrode Processes Ahrohorn Cnnlarovl and Bernard Sehepartz, Biochemistry H I L ~and C Owen, ~ The Physical Chemistry of Electrolytir Solutions rou,gill and Pnrdes, Esprrimcnts in Biochemical Research Techniques Ilrno and Hoopes, Editors, Advances in Chemical Engineering. Vol. 2 Clmrles R. Bmgdon, Editor, Film Formation, Film Properties, and Film Deterioration Anfivspn, Anson, Bailey and Edsall, Editors, Advances in Protein Chemistry. Vol. 12
the present volume, containing a. "limited amount of cross-referencing" among alternative names, includes 93 pages consisting of roughly 8000 entries. The periodicals surveyed for the text's material n u m b ~ raver 200. A Corrigenda. list to previous Volumes 3A, 3B, 1A and 1B is included with the present volume. That this list contains only 19 entries is testimony to the painstaking editorial care of Dr. Rodd and his eollaboratars. The careful organization and selection of material make Rodd's text s n essential reference source for the research chemist. Individual8 and libraries will certainly find it necessary to continue their collection of this indispensable series with the present volume. WILLIAM A. BONNER Sr&sronn U~lVens1T7 S~mlono, ClnroB~r*
CHEMICAL PUBLICATIONS: THEIR NATURE AND USE M. G., Mellon, Professor of Analytical Chemi8tz.y. Purdue University. Third edition. McGraw-Hill Book Co., Inc., New 327 pp. 16 X 23.5 York, 1958. x cm. $7.
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THE third edition of Professor Mellon's book designed for classroom use for s course in obemieal literature maintains the same high standard as its predecessors. This hook contains s oamplete comprehensive and ccomprehensihle coverage of everything connected with chemical literature of interest to teacher, scholar, and professional chemist. When students are introduced to the chemical literature and its use, there are three main goals to reach. The first is the acquisition of the knowledge as to what essential publications exist. The second is the development of the skill to locate the desired information in these indispensable publications and the third is the realization that strict care must be taken to write exact systematic references in m y bibliography. This text will enahle the reader to attain these aims. This volume has many advantages. I t contains one of the most recent oompilntions of the important chemical puhlicatians which is most welcome since the rapidit,y with which chemistry changes renders a, list of books on chemistry obsolete in a few years. There are many changes in the last two decades which have heen noted. Periodicals have heen added, discontinued and changed in content. Books have needed drastic revision. This is the only reference hook for the use of chemical literature nhich includes thoughtfully chosen library problems whioh have also been tested in the JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL EDUCATION
