BOOK REVIEWS hydrolyz~d t o the cyclohuteneone. A very recent mechanism for the Bucherer reaction, published only in 1960, is included, as is the synthesis of triphenylcyclopropenium salts. Ferracene compounds are given their due, as are other momhers of the sandwich type molecules. One criticism of the text is that i t is still organized in the manner of the older text, topical rather than mechanistic. This organiaation runs counter t o the more recent trends among the newer textbooks. A second criticism is in the use of the nomenclature which the Fiesers have maintained throughout their texts which is not in accord with the IUPAC nor the CA principles. This is a very worth-while hook for a reference for an advanced course in organic chemistry. ERNEST I. BECKER Polvtechnic Institute of Brooklyn Brooklgn, New York Anorganirche Chemie. Band 2
Istvdn NdrapSzab6. Publishing House of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, 1962. 813 pp. Figs. and tahles. 17 X 24.5 cm. $19. The second volume of this ~ e r i e (for s the review of Volume 1, see THIS JOURN-LL, 38, 380 [July, 10611) has now been puhlished. The author covers the elements and compounds of the alkali, alkaline earth, aluminum, and the transition metals of Group I11 through VII. Tho actinides and lanthanides and some of their compounds are also included. A discussion of the general trends of the physics1 and chemical properties uf the elements introduces each group; somc of t,hesr are in tabular form. Each clement is then deserihed separately. A short historical introduction is followed hg sections on occurrence, preparation, physi c d and chemiral propurt,ics, production and uses, phgsiologicsl activity and analysis. The aubhur then discusses the pr~parntiun and chemical pruperties of the various salts of tho respective elemont; a tahle of the physical constants is usually included. Thc salts described include hydrides; halides; oxyhalides; oxides and peroxides, sulfides and sulfur oxvacid salts: selenides and tellurides; oxyacid salts of selenium and tellurium; nitrides, szidee, and amides; oxjw2id salts of nitrogen; phosphides, nrsenides, ete., oxyacid salts of phosphorus, arsenic, etc; carbides and aeotylides; carbonates and miscellaneous compounds CN; CNO-, BOsP, BF4c, ete., and double salts. The material for this volume has been compiled from reference hook8 such as Gmelin, Landolt-Bornstein Tabelleu, Wyckoff, etc. It is presented in a clear concise manner and fulfills the prime purpose for which i t was written. This . . purpose was to pmpent, t,he most important physical and chemical properties of the elements and their comuounds to scientific students and researecers who are not (Continued on page A90G)
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BOOK REVIEWS experts in inorganic chemistry. This series of volumes was intended t o be intermediate between reference b o o b such as Mellur and Gmelin and the standard inorganic textbooks. This reviewer finds several shortcomings. The author has restricted himself t a n description of the most important salt-like compounds of thegroups whichare included in this volume. Although he discusses acetylides and carhides of some of the elements he does not-present any description of the preparation and properbiw of the numerous metal organic compounds, a field in which much work has been reported lately in t,he literature. much available information which is important t o researchers interested in other scientific areas is not included. I n many caaes physicad c o n s t ~ n t ssuch as specific heat, entropy, thermoelectric, and spectral properties are not given. Hawever this volume will he of interest t o engineers and scientist? in border areas of chemistry who need t,o get general information. The paper, printing, and binding of this volume is superior to t h a t of the first volume. The translation into German is excellent.
Inorganic Chemistry: Text
An Intermediate
C . W . Wood (deceased) and A. K. Hollzday, University of Liverpool, England. Butterworth, I . , Washington, D. C., 1960. viii f 393 pp. Figs. and t a h l m 14 X 22 cm. 84.25. Physical Chemistry: Text
An Intermediate
C. W . Wood (deceased) and A . K. Holliday, University of Liverpool, England. Butterworth, Inr., Washington, D. C., 1960. viii 322 pp. Figs. and tables. 14 X 22 rm. $4.25.
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C . W . Wood (deceased) and A . K. H o l l z d n ~ , University of liverpool, England. Butterworth, 1 Wash321 pp. ington, D. C., 1960. xxii Figs. and tahles. 14 X 22 rm. $4.25.
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The preface to each of these books claims thc~t the three hooks together "meet the requirements of the G. C. E . [General Certificate of Education] Advanced and Scholarship level examinations of the various examining bodies." From this statement one would judge t h a t the lcvd of presentation and type of material covered are those of a n advanced preuniversity chemistry course in the Engliah HANSB. JONASSEN school system. I t is also stated that the hooks should he useful t o students in first Tulane University year university courses. In the Unit,ed New Orleans, Louisiana
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States, the three books xvould cover approximately the snhjert areas of the first one and a half years of college chemistry. The actual subjert matter presented is, however, much more heavily weighted towards descriptive detail than our modem texthooks are. One might summarize the three hooks simply as fallom: "Inorganic Chemistry" is a book of detailed, descriptive general chemistry. "Physicnl Chemistry" presents the priuriples of yenwal chemistry a t n level of sophistication definitely below that of several of the recent texthooks designed for first year college courses in this country. "Orpanic Chemistry" is almost completely drsrriptivr; of t,hr 29 chapters, only ahout two (nrar the end of the book) deal st m y length a i t h modern principles. In spite of their l i m i t d treatmrnt. of principles and t.heor)., the inorganic and organic rhemistry hooks might well serve as useful refewnee hooks for some st,udents, far t,hcy rantain much factual msterid-reactions, properties, and cornmerrinl processes-rarely treated in t,adxy's texbboaks. "Inorganic Chemistry" eonsists of an opening rhnpbrr on the periodir rlassifiratian of the elements and n brirf theoretical treatment of t,he covalent bond. This is followed hy fifteen chapters of sonlowhat detailed descriptive chemistry of the elements. P r a r c d i n g from a chapter on the inert gases and on- on hylrogon, the regular element8 are disrussed in the order (Continued on page '1908)
