book reviews computational work by ~ e o p l ewith some experience in programming. David A. Micha University of Florida Gainesviile, FL 3261 1
Cooperative Equilibria in Physlcal Biochemistry. Monographs on Physical Biochemistry
hlmton ( J Mu1 f l d 112. 437 452, 1977) hnw presented an el~gnntstatistical mechnnicnl appnwrh IOthe pruhltm olrxrludrd volmne in conrmrmttd protein solutimi. 'l'hm newer nork reinftmcr the value 01' PoInnd's bmk, hut it should be ronsulted far 3 more comprehensive overview. It is reerettable that such a ootentiallv meful text .. should cost theautraeeous sumof $:IS. It would surely he more qrpmpriate ior a typescript such as this to hepublirhrrl in n paperback format, making it available to the intended audience. ~
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C. Russell Middaugh oepsrtmnt of Biochemistry University of Wyoming Laramie WY 82070
chemistry. Yet this lack of detailed explanations is an intentional part of the author's approach and in a book of this size much does have to be left out. The success of this monograph will probably not depend upon how the material is presented but rather how successfully it raises questions in the readers' minds, and thereby urges the readers to review and seek further information from other sources. Thus, as avery brief survey of some of the most important topics generally covered in an introductory organic chemistry course, this work can be recommended. Although pnlhnhl) not suitnhle fur ~ r n e r a l rlors adcrptibn. thii buok w d d he appropriate fur hhrnrlei and bwkatorrs fc,r cwtimd w e ur purchase by interested students).
D. Poland, Oxford University Press, Ox-
Alan C. Wright
ford, 1978. x 344 pp. Figs. & tables. 16 X 24 cm. $34.95.
Eastern Connecticut State College Willimantic, CT 06226
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Physical biochemists have commonly taken a classical thermodynamic approach to investigations of multiple equilibria. As is well known, however, the nature of thermodynamics is such that one cannot predict a priori quantitative experimental results but only relate one property to another. This weakness has resulted in the less frequently employed statistical-mechanical approach outlined in this monograph. After a general introduction to the methods of statistical mechanics, the author presents a discussion of intermolecular forces, applications of statistical mechanics to the association of both m d r l nnrl natural pdypep~idrsnnd pdyrdmrt~rleqand;I rr r u 4 m is followed by a pair of chapters on cooperative phenomena, one describing the cooperative binding of various ligands to mseromolecules and surfaces and a second concerning the analysis of the intrinsic cooperative behavior of snecific moteins and nucleic acids. The
As an introduction to the application of statistical mechanics to biomedical systems (for which i t is intended), this book is quite simply excellent. Very little prior knowledge other than elementary physical chemistry is assumed, and the rather difficult material is presented clearly and concisely. It can be recommended enthusiastically to anyone seeking to understand the manner in which statistical mechanics can be employed profitably to understand complex biochemical equilibria. It should be pointed out that the title of the bwk may be somewhat misleading since the teat lacks discussions of other approaches t o the characterization of caoperative effects such as kinetic procedures and linked function analysis. Furthermore, experimental aspects and consideration of the molecular basis of cooperativity are not reviewed. Unfortunately, this hook does not include mention of a number of recent, exciting advances in the areas surveyed (the latest references, as well as the preface are dated 1974). For example, recently, Freire and Biltonen have shown that the thermodynamic parameters describing multistate macromolecular transitions can be obtained by calculation of the partition function from the calorimetrically determined excess heat capacity change of the processes (e.g., CRC Crit. Reu. Rioehern. 5, 85-124, 1978). Ross and A144 / Journal of Chemical Education
Strands of Organic Chemistry
Claude E. Wintner, Halden-Day, Inc., San Francisco, 1979. x 128 pp. Figs. and tables. 23 X 15 cm. $6.95.
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This small monograph (only 128 pp.) is a radical change from most of the currently available hooks about organic chemistry. I t is clearly not meant t o he used as a text, neither is it an exhaustive survey of the field. Rather, i t is an easily readable discussion (based on some of the author's lectures) of only a few topics central to any course in organic chemistry. This book is intended as an overview for those who have already completed a semester in an organic course or perhaps for graduate students who might want a brief refresher. The hook is divided into six brief chapters: Structure and Stereochemistry (35 pp.); Bonding (27 pp.); Thermodynamics and Kinetics (7 pp.); Substitution, Elimination and Addition (29 pp.); The Carbonyl Group (13 pp.); and Free Radical Chain Reactions (8 pp.) plus a detailed index (4 pp.). The author's aim is to emphasize only a few fundamental topics with most details omitted. An idea of the wide variety of topics covered can be gained from the fallowing sampling: constitutional isomers, cyclohexm e conformations, optical isomers, Fischer projections, atomic and molecular orbitals, E-Z nomenclature, orbital symmetry, kinetics, nucleaphilic substitutions, eliminations, carbocation stability, additions to double bonds, electrophilic aromatic substitution, reaction of carbonyl groups, free radical halogenations and bond strengths. There is also a large abundance of well-drawn figures and diagrams and the printing is essentially free of errors. A prior knowledge of organic chemistry is definitely essential to reading this book, however. I personally enjoyed reading these chapters and found the first half of the book (on structure, stereochemistry, and bonding) to be especially well done. My only criticism is the brevity of the treatments and subsequent lack of depth, especially where figures are presented with almost no discussion about them in the textual material. This deficiency could lead to confusion unless the reader has a firm foundation in the theories of oraanic
Chemlstq and Chemical Engineering in the People's Republlc of China Editor: John D. Baldesehwieler, American Chemical Society, Washington, D.C., 1979. x 266 pp. Figs. and tables. 23.5 X 16 cm. Paper back $9.50; Hardcover $15.00.
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This is a welcome hook as a "trip report of the 12-member U.S. Delegation in Pure and Applied Chemistry" in their three-and-a-half week visit to the People's Republic of China in May and June 1978. This delegation should be commended for compiling a great deal of information in such a brief visit. The hook covers ten sections: (1) Roots of chemical research and development in China, (2) The institutional structure of chemical research and development in China, (3) Chemistry and Chemical engineering in the context of national science policy, (4) Chemistry and chemical engineering as elementsaf science education in China, (5)Basic research in the subdisciplines of chemistry and chemical engineering, (6) Status of research in key areas of technology, (7) Organization of chemical research and dewloo-
pendices. Particularly interesting are extensive lists of Chinese chemists, chemical enginern, and phgsiristi currently in China w i ~ hnomrs ,n Ixnh English and Chinew.'l'he liars are inr f n m cornolete Their Enrhsh names are different todey from those printed in the book, because recently the Mainland Chinese government has changed the name spelling system. But the Chinese names shown in the book give their positive identifications. In this unique and timely book much attention has been focused on the People's Republic of China since the Sino-American normalization of relations. Much of the information presented either is not available elsewhere in Western countries, or can be obtained only by tedious sifting through the literature. In the three-and-a-half week trip, the delegation traveled to ten cities, usually
