BOOK REVIEWS scale of these preparations varies with the synthesis, generally being in the range of 0.5-2 moles of compound. However, the preparation of cholestanyl methyl ether is on the millimale scale. Same examples of the many different types of reactions are osonalysis, electrochemical reductions, carbene synthesis, Grignard and organorn&allic-type reactions, etc. The most unusual compound for which a synthesis was described is tetrameth,vlammani~~~n 1,1,2,3,3,-pentacyanopropenide. This substance is a strong acid of pKa -8.5, a value that compares with strong mineral acids. This volume contains the same careful directions and precautions that have slwa,vs marked this scries. One new feature, point 4 of bho organization of a synthesis, has heen added. This is titled Merits of the Prcpnration, and consists of s. brief evaluation of thc synthesis, its generality and t,he usefulness of the compound. This feature is s valuable addition to the volume. JoaN D. REINIIEIMER The College of Wooslw Wooster, Ohio College Chemistry
Donald C. Gregg, University of Vermont, Burlington. Allyn & Bacon, Inc., Boston, 1961. xxi 593 pp. Figs. and tables. 17 X 23.5 em. $7.50.
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This textbook is similar in its approach to the author's "Principles of Chemistry" published in 1958 (reviewed in J. CHEM. Eooc., 37, 107 119601). Nineteen of the twenty-five chapters have the same titles and cover essentially the same meterial as the earlier text. The principal change in the new hook is the inclusion of chapters entitled The Oxygen Family, The Halogens, The Nitrogen Family, The Representative Metals, and The Transitional Metals, whereas the former hook had only two chapters devoted specifically to the chemistry of the elements-those on Oxygen and Hydrogen. Some descriptive chemistry also is interwoven throughout the other chapters, but the emphasis continues t o be on the fundamental concepts of the composition and behavior of matter. The other new chapter is called Chemical Bonding and Architecture. The relationship of structure t o chemical and physical properties is stressed continually by using simple compounds as prototypes. The format of the hook is attractive, with clear type and exceptionally large page numbers. Location of tapica is facilitated by listing the chapter title under the left hand page number and the section number and topic under the right. The hook has several diagrams and drawings, but no photographs. Many of the chapters hegin with en introductory section entitled A Perspective, and end with A Summary. Each chapter is followed by a set of thaught-provoking questions and problems; answers to those which are numeri(Continued on page A836)
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BOOK REVIEWS c d are given in the hack of the hook. Unfortunately, the author nowhere makes any mention of significant figures and is not consistent about them in the answers t o hi8 problems. He also is careless about the inclusion of dimensions and units in his otherwise good examples. The appendix contains nine tables of useful information and data. The L i t of suggested readings supplied in t,he 1958 text has been dmpped from the newer book. Probably the students do not miss this, hut their professors might. Theoretical sections are up t o date and used as an admirable means to demonstrate the productivity of logical reasoning based on valid principles. While not technically incorrect, one wonders why the author deviates from the usual usage in reference to the hydrated proton. He seems to prefer to consider i t s protonated water moleculr, calls it the oxonium ion, and writrs i t OH8+. This book will he quite satisfactory as s. text in introductory courses where the application of common sense reasoning is stmssed and emphasis is placed on major chemicnl principles rather than on the chemical propertips nf t,he clrments and their compounds. ALBERTWEI
