JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL EDUCATION
536 on the elements of the A-subgroups, GroupVIII, and theB-subgroups, ending with the halogens. A b b l e of the electronic configuration of the elements is given as an appendix. The authors remark that they have avoided giving technical or engineering details of chemical or metallurgical operations, "since sueh detail is chemical engineering rather than chemistry." References to the original literature are given only very sparingly, and then only t o more recent work. In the reviewer's opinion, this omission deprives the book of possible value as a 8OUrce book for further study on numerous topics whioh are treated only very briefly. An exception in this regard is in the case of the reports on German chemical industry, supplied by the Field Information Agency (Technical)-tho so-called F.I.A.T. report+~hortIy after World War 11. Full references are given to theae reports. Doubtless in an sttempt to reduce the size rtnd cost of the work, the typoglrphy adopted in this volume gives the impression of a rather crowded format, and the close spacing of the lines results in a loss of comfort in reading, especially if lengthy passages me to be covered. The swing of space, furthermore, is to a certain degree canceled hy the use of unnecessarily large figures or diagrams which appear in s. number of places. For example, Fig. 26.3, page 428, occupies s. full page, and Figs. 26.4 and 26.5 together fill page 436. Other figurns, such as Figs. 10.2 and 10.3, 23.2, 26.2, 27.1, and a number of the diagrams of crystal ntructure, sueh as Fig. 15.la and the figures on pages 81-91, are all presented on a scale larger than seems necessary. There is evidence of the exercise of care to bring the s u b i e ~ t matter up to date throughout the hook; and comparatively few typographical errors were noted. On the whole, this work is to be welcomed as another attempt to fills. long-felt want in chemical literature--a survey of inorganic chemistry a t a level suitshle for senior or graduate students, and with emphasis upon modern developments in this field. WALTER C. SCHUMB MABBACAOSETTB INPTLTUTEor T E C H N O G O ~ Y CANB~~G ME~ ,s s ~ c ~ u s m r s
0
COLLEGE CHEMISTRY: A SYSTEMATIC APPROACH
Harry H. Sisler, The O h b State Univerdt~.Calvin A. Vender Werf and Arthur W. Davfdson, both ofThe University of Kansas. The Co', New lgS3' xi + 623 pp. figs. 105 tables. 15.5 X 23.5 cm. $5.25.
T~~~hook is a ushorter, more compact^ text than the authors' "General Chemi~try:A Systematic Approach" and yet retains all the good features of the other text. ~t may he used equally well for students have had no chemistry and for those who have had ,.hemistry in high sehoal, ~h~ development is so clear as t o he readily grasped by the former ,,,hi]e the approach is ehallenging and stimulating for the latter, ~h~ book is furthermore & students, sound and intro,juctory course for ~h~ oore of the book seems to he -the ,,,,folding of the present the structure f, matter, . . ,certainly of the greatest triumphs f, the human intellect,^, ~h~ basis of principles on structure, the correlation of structure with position in the table, the consequent predictability of properties and behmior are well presented. The introduotory paragraphs ,,t the chapters make transitions produee an integrated whole that is quite satisfying. developed throughout The applications of the principles are the book and quantitative relations are explained clearly and simply. The diagrams, illustrations, and tables are excellent illustrate, ~h~ chemisand diffennt in that they teach as well try of the atomic nucleus, which ineludes radioactivity, incontrovertihility of mass and energy, artificial nuelear trsnsformations, atomic energy and explosives, is fittingly placed in the last chapter. Ordinarily in most firsbyear texts this material, in the opinion of this reviewer, interrupts the unity of the presentation of chemical properties and chemical change. Those who feel they should include introductory qualitative
analysis in the first year of chemistry will not find qualitative tests explained. However, the significclnee and applicability of analytical principles are emphasized in the chapters an solutions, acids and bases, and equilibrium. Organic chemistry and colloids are adequately treated. For the past three years this reviewer hits heen lwking for a text such as this which oertainly gives the desired background for physical chemistry. SISTER M. COXSILI.4 HANNAN
COLL~E H*RTI.ORD. CONNECT~CDT
SAINT JDBEPA
WEST
0
THE CHARACTERIZATION OF ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
S a m u e l M. McElvain, Professor of Chemistry, University of wiscondn, ~ ~ edition, ~ ~h~ i ~~~~a~~ ~ ~co,, N~~ d yo+, 1953, ix + 303 pp, 15 figs, 40 tables, 14.5 x 22 $4.50. THIS revised edition represents a refinement of a n excellent text first published eight years ago. No changes have been made inorder or form, hut where necessavy more modern electronic explanations have heen incorporated and new or more workable laboratory directions suhstitut,ed. This book is atill admirably suited to class use since techniques are well explained and each reaction is so clearly discussed, both from the practical and theoretical point of view, that little remains to be covered in lecture. The introductory chapters on general procedure, determination of physical constants, determinabion of the elements, solubility of organic compounds, discusaion of the class reaotiona, and separation of mixtures have remained almost unchanged. The one improvement has been more up-t+datc explanations of certain phenomena sueh as hydrogen bonds, the renetionsof alkyl halides, the solubility of amines and the colors produced by met* dinitro compounds with base and acetone. Two of the three sets of questions and problcms are entirely new. Mare changes appear in the two chapters giving actual directions for laboratory work. -4 few of the class reactions have been rewritten. For example, more reliable directions are given for the iodoform test, phosphorus pentachloride has heen substituted for phosphorus oxyehloride in the of sulfony~ehlor. of tin in the reduction of the ides, and iron is used in group. A few reactions have been added, such as the lithium aluminum hydnde test for the nitro group, the use of ferric chloride in anhydrous solvents in the phenol test, and methods for of stericall~hindered The long chapter on the selection and preparstion of derivatives has been modified the most. In addition to deleting less applicable derivatives and making several additions to the tables of melting points of the common derivatives, the author has included lists of and references t o less common derivatives, inserted a new section on amino acids, and almost completely revised the discussion of phenols, h.vdrocarhons, and sulfonic acids and their derivatives. Also the refractive indexes of esters have been tabulated. New laboratory directions are given for the prepare tion of 3-nitrophthalates of alcohols, phenylureas from amines, three derivatives directly from esters, 3,5-dinitrobenzoates and N-aryI carbarnates from phenols, pyrazoles and p?irai;olones from enols, and Sbenzylthiouronium salts and p-toluidine salts from sulfonic acids. In addition newly announced derivatives of both aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons are discussed and references to the original literature given. The reviewer feels that this new edition, still only 300 pages in length, is a, necessary addition to an organic qualitative lahoratory. I t s main drawback is a ~ a u c i t yof tests lor d articular functions: for example, the benzenoid structure test, the hydroxamate test, the various tests for amines and phenols, and the modified Beilstein test. MARGARET K. SEIKEL
W E L L ~ ~COLLE(IE ~BT WELLEBLEI.
M~ACRUBETPB
