RECENT BOOKS DIE CHEMIEDER METALL-ORGANISCHEN VERBINDUNGEN. Ekh Krawe. Late Professor of Chemistry, Technische Hochschule, Berlin, and A. V. Gmssc, Visiting Professor of Chemistry, University of Chicago and Associate Director of Research, Universal Oil Products Company. Chicago. Gehruder Borntraeger. Berlin, 1937. xvi 926 pp. 38 figs. 155 tables. 16 X 24.5 cm. Price, RM. 55.2; bound, RM. 58.5. When Bunsen prepared cacodyl in 1841, a new field of chemistry came into existence. Beginning in 1850. Frankland, a student of Bunsen, spent the greater part of his long scientific career in the development of the field of metallo-organic compounds. Many other investigators, among whom may be mentioned Buckton, Cahours, Ladenburg, Michaelis, Polis, Grignard, and Ehrlich, are well known as pioneers in research relating t o the organic chemistry of some of the more common metals. During the past twenty years the chemistry of metallo-organic substances has progressed very rapidly. These substances have played an important part in our understanding of the valence of atoms and of the structure of molecules. I n addition, they have been responsible for many significant technical advances. I n the latter period one of the most ardent workers in this field was Erich Krause. Beginning in 1917 with studies pertaining to organic compounds of lead, he continued his work with other elements as well as with lead until his death in 19'32. Prior to his death, a t the early age of thirty-seven, he had started the arduous task of compiling data relating t o the chemical and physical properties of metallo-organic compounds, with the view of contributing a comprehensive treatise on the subject. This task, being terminated, was completed by the junior author of the present volume. That there is definite need for such a treatise is readily realized when one considers that more than twelve thousand organic compounds of metals are known. Research in a field as extensive as this one has undoubtedly been hampered in the past by the lack of a comprehensive reference source. Thus, the authors have fulfilled a much-needed task in presenting for the first time a volume of this type. I t includes a description of the methods of preparation and of the chemical and physical properties of the organic compounds of the fallowing elements: lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium, cesium, magnesium, zinc, beryllium, calcium, barium, strontium, cadmium, mercury, boron, aluminum, gallium, indium, thallium, silicon, germanium, tin, lead, nitrogen, phosphorus, arsenic, antimony, bismuth, sulfur, selenium, tellurium, high-valence halogens, columbium, tantalum, chromium, iron, platinum, copper, silver, and gold. Fortunately, the treatise is not merely a dictionary of compounds and their common properties. On the contrary, in each section the chemistry of the compounds in relation to the position of the elements in the periodic table is adequately described, several methods of preparation for different types of compounds are also presented, and numerous eauations to illustrate the important E~~emica~ propertip\ are inclhrd. One of the moat valuable features of the hook is found in the inrlusion of one hundred fifty-fivet a h l ~ .which sun~mariredam on the physical properties of the compounds. A general discussion of the properties of compounds of all elements in a given group of the periodic table is first considered; then those of each element are taken up separately in sufficient detail to give one a clear picture of the status of the chemistry involved. Following each section complete literature references are given for each element in chronological order extending t o January 1.1936. Due to the fact that monographs on the chemistry of organic compounds of magnesium, arsenic, mercury and antimony had been previously published, the authors wisely decided to avoid repetition of material and t o include only those data which have appeared in the literature since publication of the
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respective monographs. However, it should he stated that the general characteristic properties of the compounds of these four elements are discussed briefly. One chapter describes briefly the experimental technics used for the preparation and subsequent handling of metallo-organic compounds in the absence of air. About fifteen figures are given to illustrate these technics in greater detail. Methods for the analysis of these compounds are also included. The investigator contemplating researches in the field will find this section of considerable interest and value. The reader will find much t o engage his attention in the chapter on the "General Properties, Theories and Systematics of Metallo-organic Compounds." Under the heading of general properties, the chemical properties, valences, densities and equivalent volumes, boiling points, and melting points of the compounds are considered in relation t o the periodic table. Several interesting relationships are found here. The question of the ability of the compounds t o exist as well as their resulting stability is discussed on the basis of the chemical natmeof themetallic elements and,of theories of atomic structure. Suggestions are given as t o why certain metals do not form organic compounds, while others do so with ease. Other suggestions concern the effect of a given type of organic group upon the stability of the resulting compound. Without question, this chapter represents a significant contribution by the authors which is deserving of careful consideration and study. Chemists as a whole will welcome this extensive and comprehensive treatise on metallo-organic compounds. The authors have fulfilled a definite need, the accomplishment of which has required much labor and thought. Workers in the field, research, laboratories, and libraries will find this volume indispensable.
CHBMISTRY.EdTHE QuADRI%RYICE MANUALOF ORGANIC ward F. Dqering, Associate Professor of Chemistry a t Purdue University and Associate Editors. Houghton Mifflin Ca., Boston. Massachusetts, 1938. vii 222 pp. 56 figs. 21.5 X 28.5 cm. $2.25. The meaning of the unusual title of this manual is explained in the preface. "This represents a unique adventure in the production of a laboratory manual of organic chemistry. I t is distinctly different from the usual manual in that it offers the student (1) a set of experiments in which an approach has heen made toward the use of semi-micro procedures, (2) a duplicate note-book system, (3) self-measuring objective tests, and (4) a theoretical approach t o laboratory organic chemistry." In view of this novelty of presentation each of these services is worthy of explanation in this review. The approach toward semi-micro procedure sconsists partly of using two-inch test-tubes for the test-tube experiments and partly in a reduction of the amounts of chemicals in the preparations. Good judgment has been used in this reduction, and it is not done t o an extent that would deprive the student of the opportunity t o handle the usual laboratory apparatus. Services two and three can best be explained together by considering an example. Page 36, the left-hand page, is a description of the preparation of acetylene and directions far tests to be carried out with the material prepared. Data and observations are recorded on the opposite blank page (37) and a carbon paper used to duplicate them on page 39. Page 38 contains questions about acetylene which are to be answered an that page. Therefore the instructor receives one sheet (pp. 37-38) with the experimental data and the self-measuring objective test, while the student retains the directions and a copy of the data.
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