BOOK
REVIEWS
Elementary Coordination Chemistry
Mark M . J a e s , Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee. Prentice-Hall, Inc., Englewaad Cliffs, New Jersey, 1964. xiii 473 pp. Figs. and tables. 15.5 X 23.5 cm. $18.60.
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Ten years ago, modem texts or monographs in English dealing with the subject of coordination chemistry were virtually nonexistent. Bailar's "Chemistry of the Coordination Compounds" (1956) initiated a decade of gradually accelerating publication in what has become one of the fastest growing areas in inorganic chemistry. The latest addition to this rapidly expanding literature is a particularly noteworthy one. Professor Jones has admirably succeeded in producing a comprehensive, upto-date introduction to coordination chemistry, which assumes no previous knowledge of the field and is intended not only for academic and industrial chemists, but for workere in related sciences as well. Although it is packed with information, this book is very readable. Within a relatively small number of pages, almost every conceivable facet of coordination chemistry is presented. An excellent grasp of hitory permeates the author's writing. Not only does he provide a echolarly review of the past (discovery of compounds and reactions, structural
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proofs, development of theories, etc.), but he also di~cuwmtrends and vogues in present-day research and draws attention to areas requiring investigation. He even does not hesitate to predict future trends. I n presenting a balanced blend of descriptive and theoretical topics, Professor Jones utilizes a wide variety of illustrative examples from both the older and more recent Literature. He employs a wide systematic approach and unifies the coordination chemistry of the various elements by using generalizations based on the periodic table. He applies the ssme generalized approach to preparative methods, a topic which in the hands of a less capable writer may easily degenerate into a mere listing of recipes. The standard tonics of stereochemistrv
nomenclature does not neglect to point out the variations commonly encountered in contemporary usage. An entire chapter is devoted to compounds with metal-carbon bonds (carbonyls, arene and cyclopentadiene complexes, and other compounds of intensive current research interest). Full chapters are likewise allotted to metal complexes of biological significance and to applications of coordination compounds. The latter chapter contains extensive
in This Issue
theoretical discussions of seven types of catalytic reactions arranged according to mechanism. The longest chapter in the book (67 pp.) presents detailed mathe matical treatments with examples of more than a dozen different methods for determining stability constants. The final chapter, Thennochemistry of Caordin* tion Compounds, deals with a topic usually slighted in most introductory books. The volume is unusually replete with more than 1500 references to books, journals, and review articles, some as late as 1963. All but two of the twelve chapters are provided with exercises intended to focus attention on the detailed application of general principles to specific cases. Many of these include data from the original literature, again as late as 1963. A booklet with the answers to these problems for instructors would be desirable, but such a compilation would be difficult inasmuch as most of the exercises are of the thought-provoking discussion, proof, or essay variety rather than the simple recall type. An index of authors would also be useful. In view of the scope of the book, the number of errors, mostly typographical, does not seem excessive. The topical arrangement of the material and the completeness of each of the chapters should make this book useful for supple mentary reading in inorganic or eoord'mation chemistry courses. It is hoped that the relatively high price of this volume will not prevent its widespread use as a text. GEORGEB. KAUPPMAN F~esnoState College Fcemo, Califmia
Colloid Chemistry
Marjmie J . Fold and Robert D . Vold, both of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles. Selected Topics in Modern Chemistry. Reinhold Publishing Corp., New York, 1964. 118 pp. Figs. and tables. 12.5 ix X 18.5 cm. $1.95.
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Mark M . Jones, Elementary Coordination Chemistry Marjorie J . Vold and Robert D. Vold, Colloid Chemistry
R. Kent Murmann, Inorganic Complex Compounds C. B. Amphlett, Inorganic Ion Exchangers Harold F. Waltaz, Principles and Methods of Chemical Analysis H. Stephen and T . Stephen, editors, Solubilities of Inorganic and Organic Compounds. Volume 2, Ternary and Multicomponent Systems, Part 2
Lawrence J. Andwws and Raymond M . Keefer, Molecular Complexes in Orgenic Chemistry D. D. Pernlz, Orgsnie ComplexingReagents J . A. V.Butler, The Life of the Cell Abraham White,Philip Handler, and Emil L. Smith, Principles of Biochemistry Herman A . S z y m m k i , editor, Biomedical Applications of Gas Chromatography Farringta Daniels, Direct Use of the Sun's Energy
The editors of the Reinhald paperbsck series, Selected Topics in Modern Chemistry, secured the services of two enthusiasts to write the volume on colloid chemistry. The intense interest of Marjorie and Robert Vold in this subject and their d e sire to share it with a larger audience are well known. The summer conferences a t the University of Southern California, supported by National Science Founds, tion, give further expression to this enthusiasm. Any teacher of general or physical chemistry who lacks interest in colloidal systems should take the time to read this little book. If the enthusiasm of the Volds were to take firm hold among chemical educators, the basic ideas of colloid chemistry would be introduced in general ohemistry, the principles of the subject would be carefully developed in nhvsicd chemistrv. and a. full course in
Gina Allen, Gold istry is entit,led. This is an introductory account of
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Journal o f Chemical Education
