BOOK REVIEWS Advances in Heterocyclic Chemistry. Volume 1 Edited by A . R. KalritzlnJ, University Chemical L~aboratory,Cambridge, England. Academic Press, Ine., New York, 1963. xi 476 pp. Figs. and tables. 16 X 23.5 cm. $15.
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The conventional, eomprrhcnsive surveys of heterocyclic chemistry, such as the Elderfield (Wiles) and W~issbereer - .(Interscience) series, are prepared (perhaps among others) under two inherent handicaps. First, there is a considerable time lag between the publication of the first volume of a serics and that of the last. By the time the series is complete (if ever), the early volumes are sadly out of dato. Second, in order to follow the usual, desirable organization by type of heterocycle and to maintain an economical sise, the intercomparison of different heterocyclic series is rather minimal. The prese n t new series of "Advances" promises to correct, a t least in part, both of these deficiencies. The series contains both review mtieles bringing up to date the earlier Elderfield or Weissberger surveys and articles of a comparative nature cutting acrhss whole classes of heterocyclic compounds. Although this approach is not new in isolated reviews, its systematic application promises to be of considerable value in the increasingly difficult struggle of the organic chemist to keep up with the developments in t,hjs broad and complex field.
-Reviewed
In the present volume are two chapters bringing up to date earlier reviews: Recent Advances in the Chemistry of Thiophenes by S. Gmnowitz and Quinazolines by W. L. F. Armarego. Also of a gcnera review nature but encompassing 8everal heterocyclic types is the chapter, Aza Anl~logd of Pyrimidine and Purine Rases of Nucleic Acids by J. Gut. The r~maining chapters survey reactions or structural cheracteristics common to sevcral heterocyclic series and include: React i o n ~ of Acetylenecarboxylic Acids and Their Esters with Nitrogen-Containing Heterocyclic Compounds by R. M. Ache son, Heterocyclic Pseudo Bases by D. Beke, and two chapters on Prototropic Teutomerism of Hotemaromatic Cornpounds by Editor A. R. Katritzky and J. M. Lagowski. Written by authorities in their respective subfields who have contributed heavily to recent developments in heterocyclic chemistry, these chapters constitute an admirable selection of topics of considerable current interest not only to heterocyclic chemists but also to organic chemists in general. The chapters by Gronowitz and by Katritzky and Lagowski (and to only a slightly lesser extent the other chapters) illustrate very well the application of physical organic methods to heterocyclic chemistry and should be of interest to all organic chemists. Indeed, all of the chapters are characterized by a fresh, contemporary approach not always found in heterocyclic work. The selection of topics for the volume is
in this Issue
A . R. Katritzky, editor, Advances in Herocyclic Chemistry. Volume 1 G. Brooks King and William E. Caldwell, College Chemistry Louia Meiles, Handbook of Analytical Chemistry Frank J . Welclm, editor, Standard Methods of Chemical Analysis. Volumes 2A and 2B G. Charlot, J . Badoz-Lambling, and B. Tremilla, Electrochemical Reactions Giulio Abilazzo, editor, Electrochemistry Alexander Gero, Textbook of Organic Chemistry John W. Sulmki, Seimimicro Experiments in Chemistry R . W. V . Hawes and N . H. DaviPs, Caloulations in Physical Chemistry Vmiamin G. Leuich, Phy&xhemical Hydrodynamics TheraM Moeller, The Chemistry of the Lanthanides Paul Pascal, editor, Nouveau Trait6 de Chemie Min6rale. Volume 9 Paul Pas&, editor, Nouveau traite de Chemie Minersle. Volume 8 Eric E. Conn and P . K . Slumpj, Outlines ol Biochemistry Harold Vadey, Practical Clinical Biochemistry H . H. Hausner, editor, Modern Materials: Advances in Development and Applications. Volume 3 Harry Soboth, editor, Advances in Clinical Chemistry. Volume 5 David Click, editor, Methods of Biochemical Andy8is. Volume 11
sufficiently clever as to causr onc to wonder whetlrcr or not subsequent volumes can continuo to present reviews of like interest. This question is answered in part by inclusion of a. list of the contents of Volume 2, where, on the whole, the continuation of the high levcl of T'olume 1 appears to be reasonably well assured by the stature of the contributrrs and the selection of topics. One may argue, of course, that thcre is no positive assurance that n review by an expcrt in the ficld will necessarily be better than one by an abler author of lesser technical aclricvements. Furthermore, as articles in heterocyclic chemistry become less descriptivr and mare interpretative in nnt,ure. as is t,he nresent. trcnd. there mav
prescnt volume seems to be essentially free of biased interpretations, and only rarely does the choice of examples or data and the evaluation of the results of other workers appear to be somewhat more subjective than objective. Furthermore, the reviews are well written, apparently aimed a t a.level intermediate between that of the rank novice and tho expert in the field. The text is well organized for the reading of an entire chaptcr or the selectivo sampling for information on specific topics. This reviewer found no significant errors (except for a few of the inevitable t y p e graphical sort). The coverage of the various topics is extensive but not exhaustive. Thus, the reviews will serve as excellent introductions to or points of departure for the intensive study of a given area but not as substitutes for the reading of the original literature. For many libraries (as well as individuals) t,he decision as to which, if any, books in a specialized field should be purchased with limited funds is difficult one. To this reviewer it appears that no organic chemistry library of any but the most fragmentary sort can be assembled without s t least one of the basic heterocyrlic series (most of the experts in the field prefer the generally excellent and authoritative Weissberger series) and this new series of Advances. Certainly all chemists working in the heterocyclic field will require access to this series and organic chemists in other specialt,ies will find much of general inberest here. HENRYE. BAUMGARTEN Uniuersity of Nebraska Lincoln, Sebraska
College Chemistry
G. Rrooks King, Washington State University, Pullman, and William E. Caldwell, Oregon State University, Corvallis. 4th ed. American Book Co., New York, 1963. viii 637 pp. Figs. and tables. 16 X 24 em. $7.25.
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Those who liked the third edition of this well-known tnxt will also like the fourth edition. There sre no radical changes, but some improvements and additions. Atomic weights are now basod on Cerbon12, a change-as the authors note ( p 25)"not particularly sigmificant for boginning
Volume 40, Number 10, October 1963
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