book reviews with average or below average high school ~ r e ~ a r a t i o According n. to the authors, the unique feature of this text "lies more in the integration of ideas, principles, and theories than in a new selection of topics." This emphasis on integration of concepts encompasses most of the text and helps to create a unified overview of chemistry. The organization and general content, divided into four main parts, differ only slightly from mast general chemistry books. The student is introduced to the basic concepts such as chemical formulas and equations, gases, moles, stoichiometry, atomic structure and theory, and molecular structure in Part 1, Elementary Ideas. These topics, often bewildering for underprepared students, are treated skillfully. The development of atomic and electronic structure is especially good. Fernandez and Whitaker have done a commendable job in laying a strong chemical foundation. The only significant weakness in Part 1appears in Chapter 1 2 (Chemical Bonding), which suffers, presumably, from the formidable task of condensing sueh a broad topic into one brief chapter. Part 2, Chemical Structure, is the least effective portion of the text; it fails to create an overall, cohesive understanding of Chemical Structure. The sequence of topics does not dovetail smoothly, despite the authors' attempt t o use stereochemistry as a common, unifying concept for structural considerations. Thermochemistry, atomic theory, bonding, and molecular structure from Part 1 are utilized in discussing Chemical Structure, stressing the integration of subject matter previously considered. Part 3, Chemical Dynamics, is adequately presented. Chemical equilibria, including redor, aeid-base, and precipitation phenomena, receive a thorough treatment with the appropriate emphasis on problem solving. The discussion of kinetics and mechanisms is somewhat weak, needing a greater emphasis on fundamentals and data analysis and less emphasis on the more sophisticated aspects, e.g., temperature dependence of enzyme catalysis. A brief introduction t o organic chemistry is included primarily for background material for the well-written c h a ~ t e ron the Chemistry of Life. Part 4, Chemistry in the Service of Man, contains an excellent collection of topics that should be both interesting and understandable to the student. This material succinctly illustrates the application of some chemical principles, and selected topics could be incorporated very effectively within a typical chemistry course format. Industrial technology, nuclear technology, energy resources, the origin of life, and chemicals that affect life are all presented in Part 4 and should contribute significantly in generating student enthusiasm within an introductory chemistry course. Fernandez and Whitaker have done a good jab of describing chemical fundamentals and selected applications for the average and weaker students. The writing style is clear and direct, and concepts are carefully developed. Appropriate emphasis has A184 / Journal of Chemical Education
been placed an the empirical nature of chemistry, utilizing tables of data, graphs, and equations where appropriate. While sufficient mathematical detail and rigor have been retained, materials have been presented in sueh a way that the weaker students will not be overwhelmed. A feature not to be underestimated is the descriptive chemistry contained within the text. The descriptive chemistry in Chapter 11 (Periodic Properties of the Elements), and especially in Chapter 15 (Covalent Architecture 11. Elements of the First Three Periods) and most of Part 4 (Chemistry in the Service of Man) was excellent. Chemical equations, structures, and data trends were utilized very effectively in describing numerous compounds. In summary, Fernandez and Whitaker have created a very good book for a chemistry class concerned more with a sound overview of the fundamentals than with the depth and detail of specific topics. Basic concepts have been clearly and accurately presented, and these concepts have been reinforced by appropriate integration. While "An Introduction to Chemical Principles" may he used very successfully by average and weaker students, it would be of lesser value for the more advanced student. Robe* S. McQuate
Willamene University 97301 Salem, Or-
Contemporary Organic Chemistry Andreui L. Ternoy, Jr., The University of Texas a t Arlington. W. B. Saunders Co., Philadelphia, Pa., 1976. xir + 993 + xxxv pp. Figures, tables, and answers to problems. 18 X 26 cm. $20.75.
Student Guide and Solutions Manual to Accompany Ternay's Contemporary Organic Chemistry
Robert F Francis, University of Texas at Arlington. W. B. Saunders Company, Philadelphia, London, Toronto, 1976. vi + 441 pages. 18 X 26 cm. Figures and Tables. This text of twenty-nine chapters organized around functional groups is designed for a one year introductory course p o p u ~ lated by chemistry majors as well as students in biological areas such as pre-medicine. The first two chapters review atomic structure and bonding while chapters 3 through 7 discuss alkanes, stereoisomerism in aliphatic compounds, mechanisms of nucleophilie substitution and elimination reactions involving alkyl halides, and the stereochemistry of ring systems. Chapters 8 through 22 treat the remaining important functional groups, terpenes, electrocyclic and cycloaddition reactions, and aromaticity. Sigmatropic reactions are not discussed. Chapter 23 on the organic compounds of sulfur and phosphorus is written "in resnonse to the verv real need to understand
phasis on enzyme cat&sis a t the molecular (Continued on page A188)
Organic Molecules In Action Murray Goodman, University of California a t San Diego, and Frank Morehouse. Gordon and Breach Science Publishers, New York, 1974. vi 351 pp. Figs. and tables. 23.5 X 16 em. $9.95.
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level. Chapter 28 covers ir, uv, and mass spectrometry. The last chapter discusses nmr more extensively than any of the other beginning teats on my shelf. These two chapters are meant to be "free-floating" and need to be studied, a t least in part, before sections on spectral properties which heein in chaoter 6 can be understood and certain problems, so designated, can be worked. The book ends with a good bibliography for each chapter, answers to selected problems, and a thirty-five page index. Each of the chapters has a useful glossary of important terms and an extensive set of problems of both the drill and thoughtprovoking type. The almost error-free typography is legibly done in black on white with tables and intrachapter problems set off by light-gray backgrounds. The errors I detected were rather minor and often peripheral to the chemistry. For example, the definition of pheromone (pp. 364,362) is wrong; pheromones act within a species. Trees exude terpenes from their leaves and not isoprene (p. 360). The flash points of benzene and ethanol are given as +12" and +55', respectively, without mention that these are "F, not "C (p. 326). The structure of ll-cis-retinal is incorrect on p. 362 but correct on p. 932. Professor Ternay is in good company when he commits textbook error number 123 (J. CHEM. EDUC., 52,729 (1975)) concerning the solubility of amylase and amylopeetin in water (p. 835). The discussion of d-orbital stabilization in chapter 23 is not adhered to by all ( J . Arner. Chem. Soe., 97, 190, 2209 (1975)). The most unfortunate and rather surprising error was an incorrect definition of a "lane of svmmetrv lo. 86) as bisectine an
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cited except with regsrd to the sequence rule. This text impressed me as a high-quality thinking-person's book definitely designed with the student in mind. Professor Ternay's prose is easy to read, his explanations lucid, and his presentation enthusiastic. Organic chemistry's interaction with biolagy is demonstrated throughout by much discussion as well as numerous examples and problems. Curly arrow mechanisms are used extensively and effectively. The treatment of stereochemistry is superb. Topics which usually confuse students are explained in greater detail than commonly ,Inn-
I enjoyed reviewing t h k I ~ X hm:.nm I i t is well uritlen, trul) "euntrmpor~#ry"m r l one 1 cc,uld tcsc h from I t merit. cnwful m n s d eration by those teaching organic chemistry. Kenneth K. Andereen university of New Hampshire Durham, 03824
For the student taking or just finishing a standard organic chemistry course and wondering what i t is good for; for the organic instructor who wants to enliven his lectures with nuggets of interesting applications of his field, this is an excellent book. In the preface the authors state their conviction that ''all educated oeoole should have an understanding of science." As a vehicle to accomplish this purpose they use intriguing applications of organic chemistry. With the exception of a chapter on synthetic polymers, the applications are confined to those of biological impact. The book is very well-written and the role of serendipity and accidental observation in scientific discovery are illustrated with examples. The text begins with a chapter (Prebiotic Synthesis) which discusses, with equations, the formation of amino acids, pyrimidines, ,purines, and simple sugars from methane, water, and ammonia in the primitive atmosphere of the earth. Plausible mechanisms are included. The second chapter (Origin of the Cell) opens with a timetable for the formation of life. Beginning with the observation that proteins and nueleie acids spontaneously form tiny droplets on reaching critical concentrations, the authors proceed to describe, with chemical equations, anaerobic and aerobic metabolism, the photosynthetic cycle, the citric acid cycle, and the respiratory chain. Chapter I11 (Nucleic Acids and Protein Synthesis) describes primary and secondary structures of DNA and RNA and briefly outlines the biosynthesis of proteins including the role of codons and anticodons. Chapter IV (Giant Molecules) is the only significant departure fram bialogically important compounds. A description of the reactions of cellulose to yield modified natural polymers is followed by equations showing the synthesis of phenolic resins, vinyl addition polymers, Nylons, and synthetic elastomers. Mechanisms are frequently included and stereochemistry described where appropriate. The titles of the remaining chapters are Molecules of Mercy, Molecules of Might, The Steroid Family, Molecules of Mysticism, Molecules of Growth and Health, Molecules of the Senses, and Molecular Structure by X-ray Vision. An appendix (63 pages) on the language of organic chemistry follows. It is a brief outline of most of the topics covered in a normal one year organic course. This concise review seems designed to spare the student the necessity of referring to his textbook for the concepts that have slipped his memory. Lists of source materials and suggested reading (varying fram two to ten titles) follow the chapters and the appendix. A lucid and informative book, with chemical formulas in red, this could profitably be used as a supplementary text in an
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(Continued on page A192) A188 I Journal of ChemicalEducation
