1450
KEN' BOOKS
Tf the first action is the oxidation of the acetoin to biacetyl: CHsCOCHOHCHs
+0
-+
CHaCOCOCK
+ HtO
(1)
the second action may be CHaCOCOCK
+ 50
CHsCOOH
+ 2C02 + H20
(2) when the oxygen: carbon dioxide ratio by volume is 1.25: 1. In the experiments with acetoin it is somewhat greater than this figure, and in the oxidation of the biacetyl it is twice this figure; but it is very probable that some biacetyl is oxidized t o acetic acid, without the formation of carbon dioxide. Cndoubtedly the direct oxidation of acetoin proceeds beyond the stage of biacetyl by several reactions, which in these experiments were not further inyestigated. -+
JAMES R. POUND. School of Mines Ballarat Victoria, Australia July 23, 1947
KEW BOOKS
+
Characterization of Organic C'onipounds. By F. WILD. viii 306 pp. Cambridge: The University Press, 1946. S e w York: The AIacmillan Company, 1916. Price: $3.75, This book was written t o summarize the methods and Lo g i ~ epractical details for the preparation of suitable derivatives whirh are useful for thp identification of organic conipounds. The author is to be congratulated for this worthwhile contribution t o the field oi organic chemistry. The more important, general methods described in the literature previous t o 1046 have been summarized, and full esperimental details for the preparation of the derivatives as well as the necessary reagents are described. The author discusses tho advant,ages and disadvantages of the various methods and has included comprehensive tables for the derivatives of the more common organic compounds. Since the hook does not deal t o any great extent with the other phases generally used in a systematic identification of organic compounds ( i e . , solubility ronsiderations, the classification reagents, etc.) i t will not serve t o replace other books in this field; however, it should find wide application not only for students but for those engsged in organic research work a s well. \YILLIAM E. PARIIASI.
+
Falty A c i d s , Their Chemistry and Physical Properlies. By I
