book reviews theoretical concepts. However, the price of the book may prevent it from becoming a popular text. YUHKANQPAN Boston College Chestnut Hill, Mass. OH67 A Guidebook to Biochemistry
Michael Yudlcin and Robin Oford, both of Oxford. University of Cambridge 195 pp. Press, Cambridge, 1971. ix Figs. and tables. 22.2 X 14.2 cm. $9.50 cloth, $2.95 paper.
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This brief "guidebook" contains one of the most informative, concisely written msnuseri~tsI have seen. It is a comdisavow themselves of any intent to write a comprehensive introduction to biochemistry, but rather desire "to introduce the reader to just a few outstanding features of the field." I believe they have done an admirable job. The scope of the coverage is remarkably complete and sophisticated given the space limitations, and a, useful index is provided. The book is divided into three sections: (1) Structure and Function of Macromolecules; (2) Metabolism; and (3) Molecular Genetics and Protein Svnthesis.
covering enzymes follows. Although enzyme kinetics are not considered, enzyme specificity and the relationship between enzyme structure and function are discussed. The first section is concluded with a chapter covering nucleic acids, palysitccharides, and lipids. The entire section contains only 58 pages. The coverage, although not comprehensive, should stimulate additional reading; unfortunately, a list of supplementary readings is not provided. In the second section, the authors do a beautiful job of emphasizing and demonstrating the interrelationships between protein, carbohydrate, and lipid metabw lism after presenting a concise introduction to energetics. The energetics theme runs through the entire section. Additionally, a rather nice treatment of similarities and differences in plant and animd metetabalic systems is presented. In the final section, the authors discuss methods by which genetics can be explored on the molecular level and then summarize the processes involved in the synthesis of the components of DNA and RNA and in the replication of t,hese materials. Protein synthesis is considered and the book ends with a. chapter devoted to regulatory mechanisms which control the rates of metabolism. The author's facility in reminding the reader, s t appropriate times, of previouslv discussed eonce~tsis excellent. but the practice of referring to prior or future material by inserting page numbers is sometimes annoying. Presumably, this practice was necessary to maintain the brevity of the book.
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I n summary, although I am not certain who the audience for this book should be, I found it well written and quite interesting. Perhaps it should function as a supplementary text. Used in this capacity, it could whet the student's appetite for biochemistry.
angles in these molecules are now best relegated to items of historical interest. The chapter titled, Four-center Reactions, which includes the Diels-Alder, l,3-dipolar additions, thermal reactions, and photochemistry suggests no references later than Kirmse on "Cerbenes," 1964. The other reference dates for this chapter M. KOLENBRANDERare 1962, 1961, 1960, and two from 1948. HAROLD Grand Valley State College Thus, there is no reference to the WoodAllendale, Mich. ward-Hofmann principle of the conservs, tion of orbital asymmetry in such reactions. Nor is there any reference to Fukui's work Principles of Organic Synthesis on the importance of antibonding orbit,als and theC'frontier" orbital effect in nucleoR. 0. C. Nonnan, University of York. phiiic reactions. Science Paperbacks, Barnes and Noble, In the references for further reeding, 722 pp. Inc., New York, 1971. xiii there appear to be several unexplained Figs. and tables. 23 X 15.5 em. omissions, such as no mention of either $9.50. the Elderfield, or Weissberger series in the This book was w r i t t m as a rcxr bmk for chapter on Heterocyclics, nor is there any students who hnvr II:IIIx I&f inrrod!~:~ion mention of P.A.S. Smith's definitive two to organic chemistry and its purpose is to volumes on "Open Chain Nitrogen" show how an understanding of the (1965, 1966), in a. chapter on aliphatic mechanistic principles of organic chemnitrogen bonds. istry can be applied to the synthesis of Even in a case where the "reference for organic compounds. further reading" was Eliel's "StereoThe firat five chapters are concerned chemistry," there is no indication in with the principles which govern organic Norman's text that the R and S nomenreactions: chemical thermodynamics, clature, which is discussed by Eleil, has molecular structure, chemical kinetics, been adopted for optically active commechanism, and stereochemistry. In the pounds. In a. twa-page description of next fourteen chapters, these principles the synthesis of Brrtdykinin, there is no are applied to the problems of synthesis of mention of Merifield nor of the power of various types of bonds, groupings, and automation of his method for peptide compounds. As the author states "the synthesis. account is not intended to be exhaustive; Perhaps the most useful purpose served for example, the vast body of evidence by this book is the reminder, by its on which mechanisms are based has been omissions, that the past decade has been omitted . . . The abject hits been to one of very active development in the convey a.broad understanding rather than "Principles of Organic Synthesis." to produce a. reference text." W. CRONYN MARSHALL Thus, this book is to be compared with Reed College a. typical sophomore level text hook for an Portland, Ore. 97g03 introductory course in organic chemistry, except for the omission of simple nomenclature which is presumed to have been Analytical Photoche,mislryand presented elsewhere. Photochemical Analysis: Solids, How well does it serve this function? Solulions, and Polymers If this question had been asked of this book in 1961 instead of 1971, the answer Edited by J. M. Fitrgerald, University might have referred to it as being a. of Houston. Marcel Dekker. Inc.. well-written, rather thorough survey of 360 pp: New York, 1971. xiv the major organic reaction types and their Figs. and tables. 23.5 X 16 cm. presumed mechanisms. A few criticisms 523.50. might have been aimed st certain details, such as the proposal that This book is a collection of nine chapters 0each by a different author on various I + aspects of analytical photochemistry or R-C--OH% chemical analysis applied to photoI chemistry. As stated in the preface, the 0+ editor's sim in assembling this book was /\ R H to cover in one volume those aspects of is the intermediate for esterification, that photochemistry that would be of greatest a. concerted %body collision is essential interest and value to analytical chemists. in the mechanism of aromatic substitution The book is designed to supplement the books already on the market concerning by the Friedel-Crafts and bromination photochemical resotion mechanisms, reactions, snd'a, complete omission of any theory and application to organic synreference to spectral properties, uv, thesis. From the title one might assume visible, ir, or nmr. that the bulk of the book would be related Unfortunately, time and s. very active evolution in several major basic principles to the analytical applications of photoof organic reactions during this past chemistry. Such is not the case. As decade have contrived to give this book a stated in the preface, the section of the seriously dated appearance. Since D. W. book relating to analytical photochemTurner's work on the photoelectron istry, is disappointingly the shortest of the three. The volume is divided into spectroscopy of water, rsmmonis, methane, three sections: Photochemical Equipand other simple molecules, the hybridized ment and Actinometers (3 chapters), atomic orbital explanations for the bond
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Use of Photochemistry and Analytical Determinstions (2 chapters), and Analytical Methods for the Study of Photochemistry (4 chapters). Chapter 1 discusses apparatus used for photochemicd experimentation. This chapter treats the basic energy relationship for photolysis, mercury arcs, and other photochemical sources. Other topics discussed include methods and apparatus for wavelength intensity selection, optical materials for the construction of photochemical apparatus, and a detailed treatment of particular photochemical reaction vessels and the apparatus for photochemical titrations. Chapter 2 discusses lasers in analytical chemistry. This deals with such topics as the theory of laser operation, Q switching, means for establishing population inversion, liquid lasers, and gas lasers. There then ensues a discussion of the analytical applications of lasers such as the Raman effect, ahsorp tion emission, and scattering spectroscopy. It is not altogether clear to this reviewer what the relationship between Chapter 2 and the rest of the book is. I t seems t o be somewhat out of context. Chapter 3 discusses the use of actinometry for measuring light intensity. An interesting aspect of this chapter is a. detailed discussion of actinometer systems such as the Malachite Green, monachloroacetio .acid, urlunyl oxalate, and ferric oxslate. Chapter 4 is concerned with analytical methods using photochemical pretreatment. The introductory material samewhat overlms the material in Chanter 1. A discussion of applications includes determination of iron, mercury, uranium, thorium, tantalum, oxygen, oxalate, tryptophane, and others. Photolysis as used in gas chromatography and mass spectrometry is also discussed. Chapter 5 deals with photochemical titrations both generation of the titration in situ and external generation. The basic theory of photochemical titrations is discussed. A review is given of the literature on photochemical titrations. Chapter 6, Analytical Problems in the Studv of Photochemical Reactions, is prohibly the strongest chapter in the bbok. This chapter elucidates a. number of the analytical problems associated with the complete photochemical characterization of a system. Such topics as free radical scavenging, energy transfer, transient analysis, and matrix spectroscopy are presented. The importance of rtnalytical techniques such as mass spectrometry and luminescence spectroscopy to photochemical problems is also discussed. Chapter 7, Electrochemical and other Analytical Methods for Flash Photolysis Studies, is also an excellent chapter stressing studies on the combined use of electrochemistry and photochemistry. An extensive discussion is given of eleetrochemieitl detection methods in flash photolysis. Unfortunately, some of the material presented has serious overlap with other chapters. Chapter 8 discusses analytical techniques for the solid state photolysis of coordination compounds. This chapter discusses experimental procedures and three examples of solid state photochemical resetions involving coordination compounds. Chapter 9, Analytical Methods for Study of Photo-
degradation of Polymers, includes such I topics as test sources and exposure devices, techniques for determining the extent of photodegradation, wavelength sensitivity of polymers, kinetic studies of volatile decomposition products, model eompounds, and oxygen uptake. The present reviewer does not feel qualified to make any comment on this chapter. Undoubtedly, Dr. Fitzgerald has pproduced a hook which contains much interesting information and will be useful to chemists involved in analytical chemistry or graduate students starting the detailed chs,racterizatian of a photochemical system. The value of the hook, however, will probably he restricted to those specialists. The publisher has ensured that the book will be purchased only by intensively interested specialists by placing a. 123.50price tag onit. -
University of Georgia Athens, Ga. 80601
New Volumea in Continuing Series The following litles are those of volums in umtinuing soGs. Many of them series are familiar to rcaders who are besl served by prornpl 0nnouncen~nt of the appearance of the new titles. The policy of THIS JOURNAL will be to publish full reviews only of inaugural volumes in nna *prim.
Physical Chemistry: A Series of Monographs. Volume 11: Ionic Interactions
Edited by S. Petmcci, Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn, Brooklyn, New York. Academic Press. Ine.. New York. 1971. xi 279 pp. Figs. ahd tables. 23.5 X 16 om. $16.50.
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Contributors: S. L. Holt; D. E. Irish; Cooper H. Lingford; S. Petrucci. Physical Chemistry. An Advanced Treatise. Vol. VIIIA/Liquid State
Edited by Douglas Henderson, IBM Research Laboratories, San Jose, California. Academic Press, New York, 1971. xix 412 pp. Figs. and tables. 23.5 X 15.5 em. $23.
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Contributors: J. A. Barker; R. J Bsxter; Sow-Hsin Chen; Henry Eyring Douglas Henderson; Mu Shik Jhon; Francis H. Ree; Robert L. Scott. Physical Chemistry. An Advanced Treatise. Vol. VIIIB/Liquid State
Edited by Douglas Henderson, IBM Research Lahorrttories, San Jose, California. Academic Press, New York, 1971. xix pp. 413-892. Figs. and tables. 23.5 X 15.5 em. $25.
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Contributors: Bruce J . Berne; D. ter Ham; Douglas Henderson; Peter J. Leonard; Sava Milosevic; Gerald Paul; H. Eugene Stanley; John Stephenson. Volume 49, Number 8, August 1972
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