Aromaticity (Garratt, P. J.)

College of New Jersey, Mahwah, New. Jersey. Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York,. 1973. xi + 630 pp. Figs. and tables. 23.5 x 16em. $29.50. Contributors: Do...
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book reviews This book can be a valuable reference work for scientists actually involved in air pollution research. It will also serve well as a textbook for many courses in departments of meteorology, oceanography, and civil engineering. The chemical aspects of atmospheric science and air pollution are not presented in enough depth to make the book entirely satisfactory as the text for a course in air chemistry taught in a chemistry department. The cost ($10.951 generally will prevent the use of the book as one of the texts in an environmental chemistry course in combination with another text for the aquatic chemistry section of the course. Stanley E . Manahan University of Missouri Columbia. Missouri 65201

Aromaticity

P. J Garratt, University College, London. McGraw Hill, New York, 1971. viii 184pp. Figs. and tables. 23 X 15 cm.

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This hook, designed in presentation and context for those who have had a t least a one-year exposure to organic chemistry, treats in highly readable fashion the complex problem of aromaticity and its more

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recent extensions (homoaromaticity, bicycloaromsticity, etc.). The volume begins with a brief historical discussion of the structure of benzene and the suhsequent stepwise solution of this problem as quantum mechanics, the Hiickel method, and the valence bond approach became available to the chemical community. Chapter 2 serves to compare and contrast the electronic constructs, physical properties, and chemical reactivity of cyclobutadiene, benzene, and cyclooctatetraene. The relevance of diamagnetic anisotropy, heat of combustion and hydrogenation data, electronic spectra, and fluxional properties are neatly interwoven in a systematic and attractive manner. Next is a discussion of the annulenes which is more extensive than any other segment of the book undoubtedly because of the author's personal involvement with this area of research. Chapter 4 reviews in a m a t exhaustive yet concise way the subject of monocyclic aromatic ions. The entire speetrum of charged stabilized species ranging from the commonplace eyclopentadienide anion to the elusive [24]annulene dianion is presented with frequent references to MO properties and chemical reactivity. This is followed by a presentation of 4n r electron monocyclic antiaromatie ions and the marked contrast with the stabilized systems is accentuated as a result. Suhsequently, the text gives attention to annulenones, fulvenes, and related structural types, heterocyclic systems, polycyclic molecules, homoammatic and hicycloaromatie entities, and the criteria for aromaticity.

Efforts t o generalize the presentation of aromaticity are not new, but this comprises the first effort to present the subject in textbook format. Whether the text will succeed in the classroom will depend critically upon the composition of the student body and to a significant extent on the professor-in-charge.' The hook is heavily descriptive and only a relatively few general references are provided a t the end of each chapter. Although this does allow for some follow up by the student, the ahsence of exhaustive references does have its disadvantages, particularly where the introduction of supplemental material may prove desirable. The text does not dwell a t all on such subjects as benzenoid aromatic substitution but rather is most concerned with denoting the features which distinguish stabilized from destahilized nonhenzenoid molecules and ions. The format is more in the nature of a review (and an excellent one) than a teaching manual, and i t ih as updated a treatment of the subject as can be found. One might argue, however, that the cost of the bwk is rather prohibitive given its emphasis and made of presentation. For those interested in the field, i t is a refreshing and desirable presentation of the subject. To the uninitiated student, this teat could serve as a n enlightening expose of the current status of aromaticity. Finally, to the instructor who utilizes the book for classroom instruction, it will mean that he will have to provide a significant amount of additional relevant subject matter as suits his taste. This (Continued on page A600)

book reviews small departure from more traditional approaches could justify utilization of this volume as a textbook provided the other factors signaled above are present. Leo A. Paquene

The Ohio State University Colornbus. Ohio 43210

Experiments in Thermometric Titrimetry and Titration Calorimetry

Delbert J. Eatough, James J. Christensen, Reed M Iratt, all of Brigham Young University. Brigham Young University Press, Provo, Utah, 1973. 122 pp. 21 X 27 cm. Paperbound $1.95. Thirteen experiments are described, each with extensive references to the literature covering the theory being applied. It is assumed that the user has the appropriate instruments an hand and is looking for useful instructional experiments. A wide range of techniques is illustrated. WFK

Chemistry in the Environment. Readings From Scientific American

With an introduction by Carale L. Hamilton, California Institute of Tech-

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nology. W. H. Freeman and Co., San Francisco, California, 1973. 361 pp. Figs. and tables, color. 22 X 29 em. Cloth, $12; paper, $5.95. Thirty-seven articles are reprinted, collected under the headings: The Stuff of Life, Our Impact on the Land that Feeds Us, Energy in Our Society, The Legacy of Energy Use, end Implications of Material Wealth. This is a definitive collection that represents a valuable resource of collateral reading for nearly any type of chemistry course. Bibliographies are supplied. An extensive index enhances use of the volume for reference. WFK

ademic Press, New York, 1972. xix + 463 pp. Figs. and tables. 23 x 25.5 em. $32. Contributors: D. Hildebrand; Heinz Schondehatte; E. SiegeL

Karl-

Organotin Compounds. Vol. 3

Edited by Albert K. Sawyer, University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire. Marcel Dekker, New York, 1972. xiii + 452 pp. Figs. and tables. 23.5 x 16 em. $25. Contributors: M. Gielen; J. Nasielski; Albert K. Sawyer; Michael J. Newlands; J. G. A. Luijten; Malcolm C. Henry; Wenzel E. Davidsahn; C. R. Dillard.

New Volumes in Continuing Series T h r following l i l l ~ s arc thosr of volrrmrs in eonlinuing sr,rics. JIany of thcsr arrics arr farnilior Lo nodrrs who a,r hcsl s r r a d hy pronrpl annomerr,~r.nlqf lhr. oppcaroncr ql lhc new 1ilk.s. 7% policy of '1'HIS' JOUI(SA1, u,ill Or. lo publish full wvirws on/!/ of inatrgur.al voltrmrs in nrw srrirs.

The Chemistry of Synthetic Dyes. Vol. VI: Reactive Dyes

Edited by K. Venkotaramon, ~ a i i o n a l Chemical Laboratory, Poona, India. Ae-

Water and Water Pollution Handbook. VOI. 4

Edited by Leonard L. Cioccio, Ramapo College of New Jersey, Mahwah, New Jersey. Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, 1973. xi + 630 pp. Figs. and tables. 23.5 x 16em. $29.50. Contributors: Donato J. Bracco; Raul R. Cardenas, Jr.; Leonard L. Ciaeeio; James F. Cosgrove; Peter Cukor; John S. Jeris, Bernd Kahn; Patrick J . McNelis; Howard Madlin; E. June Maienthal; Frank S. Parker; John Roboz; P. A. St. John; John K. Taylor.