book reviews content of quantitative analytical chemistry. After some introductory material the classical areas of acidimetry, gmvimetry, redoximetry and complex formation are presented on 300 pages (24 chapters) that include many questions and problems (and usually answers) a t the end of each chapter. The following 160 pages (16 chanters). sorvev instrumental methods e l e t l y i , vdtan~~netr?.,coulomerry, cowiurtimetry, cdwimetry, photometry, rurhidirn~try,ncphslometry, fluorimcrry, emission, and atomic absorption spectroscopy, X-ray spectroscopy (including emission, absorption, fluorescent, and the electron probe), radioactivity, mass spectrometry, refractometry, polarimetry, and microscopy. These discussions are usually too succinct to he of lasting value to the student taking a course in chemical analysis. The final 60 pages (8 chapters) are devoted to chemical separations (extraction, chromatography, gas evolution) and analytical technique. These are well done considering the conciseness. Some specificcomments: complex equilibria are no1 treated in detail: nucleation of precipitates is not discussed quantitsi tively; the practical explanation of mixed indicator; (D. 141) is excellent and should he present in all texts of analytical ehemistry; the cathodic reduction of permanganate as an example of coulometry (p. 261) implies that the method is routinely applicable to irreversible electroehemicd reactions, and this is not true; the terminology of electrochemical cells (p. 258) is not confusing (see T . S. Licht and A. J. deBethune, THIS JOURNAL 34,433 (1957)); the average student will not comprehend from the text the derivativepotentiometric titration curves (p. 343); dual polarized electrodes (p. 378) would be better discussed in terms of reversible and irreversible electrochemical reactions rather than by using a single specific example; the definitions of radiant power and intensity (p. 413) ctre not precise; the discussion of fluxes (p. 555) is most desirable and well done. There are neither liter* ture references nor bibliography. In sum, Volume I is worthy of consideration for adoption as an inexpensive text for a, one semester course in chemical analysis for non-chemistry majors. The first 80 pages of Volume I1 treat such laboratory techniques as safety, notebooks, calculations, weighing, drying, filtration, ignitions, volumetric glassware (whose tolerances are not discussed), and statistics. The 42 experiments that follow are divided into acidimetry f4), gravimetry (5), argentimetry (3), EDTA (a), redoximetry (13), electrometric methods (lo), photometry (3), ion exchange (1). The experiments are those routinely present in introductory courses and require no comment. This volume can be hiehlv . . rerommrr~brifor wioption a0 an inerprniive mmual for n one m w s t r r in~nrdurtory Inborntory cowre in rhtmirnl nnnI!.-i~.
~.
.
A790
/
Coordination Compounds
S . F. A . Kettle, University of Shefield, England. Thomas Nelson and Sons, 220 pp. Ltd., London, 1969. vii Figs. and tables. 15 X 23 cm. Softbound, 3.5s; hardbound, 708.
+
The purported goal of this hook is to bring a. person unacquainted with oaordination chemistry to the point where he will be shle to understand most research papers in this area. This ambitious undertaking is attempted in 214 pages whioh cover the nomenclature, isomerism, preparation, stability, crystal field theory, ligand field theory, electronic speotra, magnetism, physical methods, and reaction kinetics of coordination compounds. The hook assumes a working knowledge of atomic orbital theory and elementary kinetics and is recommended for advanced students. This paperhack joins a list of at least four others on this subject. Fortunately it has unique characteristics that differentiate it from the others and for which it can he recommended. The hook is definitely oriented toward physical aspects of coordination compounds with its best and longest chapters covering crystal field theory and electronic snd magnetic properties of coordination compounds. These topics are approached from a group theoretical point of view (a very brief introduction to symmetry and group theory is given in an appendix) and with sufficient detail to bring the student to the frontier of current research. The energy levels in strong, weak, and intermediate crystal fields are developed for the oct* hedral case, concluding with Orgel and Tanahe-Sugano diagrams. The other perturbations affecting electronic spectra are discussed, including hand contours and intensities. The various contributions to an observed magnetic moment are discussed including Kotani diagrams. The detailed examples in these chapters are quite useful. The hook has a modern approach and a healthy skepticism given to explanations where it is warranted. Stability of coordination compounds is sufficiently ccvered, although the chelate effect is incorrectly ascribed a s an entropy effect. A good, short outline of reaction mechanisms is given. Nomenclature is covered in a disorderly and somewhat confusing fashion, e.g., a square planar compound is named before it is defined. The chapter on physical methods is too cursory to be of much value. There are two areas that me neglected which detract from the value of the hook. No attempt is made to answer the question: why are coordi, ation compounds of current interest? T!.e area of organametallic compounds and ligmds that stabilize low oxidation states is completely neglected (they "will be dealt with elsewhere in this series"). The result of this omission is a definite lack of examples illustrating the scope and importance of coordination chemistry. The reader is left with a somewhat sterile view of coJOHN C. MACDONALD ordination chemistry. Fairfield University How well did the author fulfill his Fai~field,Conn. 06430 stated goal? This book conveys a great
deal of information in a r q i d and concise fashiorr. -\Iy rerommendarion I
