The t h i i chapter, Ionic Chemical Equilibrium, constitutes more than half the book. Special attention is given to the equilibria of qualitative analysis. Topics that are considered include the determination and use of ionization constants, common ion eKect, solubility product, pH, hydrolysis, the classical scheme of qualitative analysis for cations by groups, buffers, fractional precipiMODDIED. TAYLOR tation, and dissolving precipitates. ReHoward University grettable features of this chapter are Washington, D.C. the absence of Brmsted terminology and the complete omission of amphoterism. There are unnecessary digressions to present IUPAC rules for naming complex ions and to discuss standard solutions and titration calculations. I t is disPrinciples of Chemical Equilibrium appointing to come upon the following shtement on page 87: "Titration calcuKelso B. Morris, Howard University, lations are facilitated greatly by employWashington, D. C. Reinhold Puhlishing the concept of epuiualnls.. . ." In ing Co., New York, 1965. Selected one of the early volumes of this series, Topics in Modern Chemistry. xi 114 "The Mole Concept in Chemistry," a pp. Figs. and tddes. 13 X 19 em. good case was made for dispensing with Paperbound. 51.95. equivalents and normality. Equally disturbing is the expression "change in This book is another in the Reinhald valence" on page 88. series of paperbacks intended to serve as There are several items in this book that supplements to general chemistry textare indicative of careless editing. On page books. It consists of three chapters. 24 it is stated that nitrogen will react with The first chapter, entitled Heterogeneous hydrogen a t 25°C. On page 33 it is Equilibrium and the Phase Rule, presents stated that AS is a measure of the ranthe phase rule equation and the Clapeyrondomness of a system. According to a Clausius equation without derivation. It statement made on page 40 a. catalyst can includes the phase diagram for water, a be either an accelerator or an inhibitor. simple eutectic diagram, cooling curves, a On pages 57 and 59 the formula weight of a phase diagram for a pair of substances salt is referred to as its molecular weight. forming three compounds, and the vapor On page 58 it is stated that for each mole pressure-composition diagram for the of Bi& that dissolves two Bia+ ions and hydrates of CuS04. The discussion covers three Sa-ions are formed. incongruent melting, solid solutions, and the distribution of a solid between two LAWRENCE P. EBLIN immiscible liquids. The presentation of Ohio University equations without derivation is a frustratAthas ing tttetic, but at least there is material in this chapter that is not present in most general chemistry texts. The second chapter is entitled NanElements of Inorganic Chemistry ionic Chemical Equilibrium. The expression for the equilibrium constant is Robert A. Plane, nnd Ronald E. Hester, derived by equating rate expressions for Cornell University, Ithaca, New York. the forward and reverse reactions. No W. A. Benjamin, Inc., New York, mention is made of the fact that rate 1965. Physical Inorganic Chemistry expressions hased on chemical equations 188 pp. Figs. and Series. xiv are usudly false. In this chapter the tables. 16 X 23 om. Clothbound equation relating KOand K, is derived! $8; paperbound, $3.95. As the thermodynamic interpretation of This modest volume with a somewhat the equilibrium constant is approached, it ambiguous title is one of the two introcomes as a shock to see free energy (the ductory books in a series which is intended Gibbs function) represented by the symbol as a treatise on Inorganic Chemistry. F instead of G. The Principle of Le According to the authors, Tlements of Chatelier is the basis far a discussion of the Inorganic Chemistry" is for use with separate effects of temperature, concen"Physical Inorganic Chemistry," by tration, pressure, and inert material on Sienko and Plane. as a text in a oneterm chemical equilibria; the inability of a catalyst to shift the point of equilibrium is properly emphasized. This is material that is contained in any general chemistry volumes would serve as a. satisfactory text textbook that is likely to be used in a for more advanced courses. course for which paperback supplements The authors have faced the difficult are appropriate. The effect of temperaproblem of selectionof descriptive material ture changes upon the equilibrium conby taking the current interest in various stant is the topic for a discussion hased areas as an indication of their importance. on the van't Hoff equation and the Many of the subjects so selected are given Kirchoff equation. Neither of these equarather sparse treatment. Indeed none tions is derived, but a diagram (Fig. 2-2) receives su5ciently detailed discussion is provided that has pedagogical merit for to he valuable to the reader except pershowing the variation of equilibrium canhaps to to it to his attention that work stants and free energies of reactions with has been done in the area. In both temperature. of gram molecular weight might cause some confusion. One has the feeling that it would be much better for the teacher to design his o m problems as the need arose. Since this will not he possible until teachers are better trained, such books as "General Chemistry Workbook" fill a useful role in chemical education.
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volumes, the four and a half pages d e voted to boron hydrides, including the figures, give a very inadequate exposure to the subject. One would of necessity go to the special volume in the series for information on this topic. The chemistry of oxygen compounds of the heavy transition metals including complex oxides, isu and heteropoly acids, and bronees is given in one paragraph. The series does not yet contain a volume to supplement this deficiency. A list of suggested supplementary reading is given at the end of each chapter. I t includes a variety of monographs, special chapters in various compendia including Gmelin, usually without reference to specific topics. A brief statement describing the reference is, however, given. A. F. Wells, "Structurd Inorganic Chemistry," for example, is listed several times-"Structure of solid compounds clearly described'' (p. 21); "Structures of solid compounds" (p. 31, 52, 66). A few old favorites are listed-Yost and Russell, "Systematic Inorganic Chemistry" (1944), -"a detailed account of many aspects of this group chemistry (v) particularly good on reaction kinetic8 and mechanism" (p. 135); "remains a useful classic" (p. 153). 0. K. Rice, "Electronic Structure" (1940t"an excellent hook in all ways" (P.21). The authors claim to systematize d e scriptive behavior in terms of currently used theories. Beoause of the highly condensed nature of the text, the explan* tions are not always fully developed and occasionally meaningless statements are found. The anomaly of the ionization of first row transition elements losing 4 a electrons whereas in the Aufbau scheme the 4 s level is placed below the 3 d is rstionalized by saying that "the reason for this rather unexpected hehavior must lie in the different potential experienced by the electrons in the two cases." We find elsewhere the statement: "Based on, or in some cases, in spite of, the data. which exists it seems that all actinide ions have a radon shell of 86 electrons plus only 5 f electrons!' A few misprints are found, some mi* information is given; and there are some contradictory statements: "PbOfissentially basic" (p. 102); "PhO~principally acidic" (p. 112). "SnCl-covalent liquid" (p. 112); "SnCbionic solid" (p. 157). "PboO, considered as plumbous orthoplumbate." "PbsOi behaves as plumbous metaplumbate!' Does the student know how an orthoplumbate should be considered or how a. metaplumbate behaves? The general treatment leans heavily toward reaction mechanism. Methods of preparation me intentionally omitted because the student has presumably learned all that is necessary in more elementary courses. The hook could serve ss rtn outline of topios which could be covered in a course. The student would probably have to rely on lecture notes or supplementary reading sourcesfor study. No examination questions are offered. The index is not extensive. I t is a pity that the editors of the series could not have arranged a merger of (Continued on page A18O)
Physical Inorganio Chemistry and El* ments of Inorganic Chemistry in one volume and at the same time expand the discussion of topics so that recourse to references would not be continually necesary.
splendid aid for more intensive study. The footnotes plus the detailed up-to-date coverage given many topics make this book a convenient initial source for advanced grnduatc lcvcl studies. The book IS attractively publishrd with mnny hrluful illustration,. The rwicwr found on& a very few typographical and content errors and must compliment the authors and editon on the carefulpreparation of this hook. 'Concepts and Models of Inorganic Chemistry" is an excellent textbook. Since the content and level of advanced inorganic courses vary widely, this text will not he suitable in all cases, hut it deserves careful consideration for use by good students who have some background in ~hvsicalchemistrv. The oresence of
area. I n all bonestv. however. he will not
to the almost unique electronic structures of the atoms and their derived ions nor to the trends in properties that can so WARD ROLAND well he discussed in relationship to varhUniversity of ConnectinU tions in these structural characteristics. Stom Although the bnws ior rurh ducussions arc pruvidcd in prrt in 11.r i~.trvdurrory chapter, their ex~,luitnthm is in3rlcqunte in succeeding sections, and an opportunity, which is truly unusual in the chemistry of these elements, to link toCqcepts and Models of Inorganic gether fact and concept has not heen Chemistry sufficiently realized. Another criticism, which cannot reflect on the author in any Bodie E. Douglas, University of Pittsway in the light of his need to abbreviate burgh, and Darl H. MeDaniel, Uniin order to cover the wealth of available versity of Cincinnati. Blaisdell Pubmaterial, may well be that the treatment lishing Co. ( a division of Ginn and Co.), most texts. of a number of topics is in insufficient 510 pp. New York, 1965. xviii depth. The author has handled many Figs. and tables. 18.5 X 26 cm. RQNALD C. J o m s o ~ of these cases through references to orig$10.50. Enwry University inal research. The reader must appreciate Atlanta, Gewgia the necessity for and the author's desire Bodie Douglas and Darl McDaniel for his consulting these publications. have written a scholarly and useful new The writing is clear and understandable inorganic chemistry textbook for courses hut not colorful. There are few mistakes whieh have a physical chemistry preof consequence. The volume is attracrequisite. This text includes most of the Chemistry of the Rore-Earth Elements topics found in "physical-inorganic" tively and well printed and bound. Any person who needs a general survey of the books; it also devotes one chapter to N. E. Topp, late of National Chemical rare-earth family can profit by reading electron deficient eampounds, another Laboratory, Teddington, Middlesex, this monograph. Unfortunately, a t $10 to a moderately detailed discussion of Great Britain. American Elsevier Puhthe book is grossly overpriced. Few halogen chemistry, and a third to a sumlishing, Co., Inc., New York, 1965. individual readen are likely to invest such mary of the chemistry of the most familiar Topics in Inorganic and General Chema sum in so small a treatise. metals. Considerable additional descrip164 pp. istry, Monograph No. 4. xi tive chemistry is presented as illustrative Figs. and tables. 14 X 22 cm. $10. THERALD MOELLER material in the remaining chapten. Some Uniuersity of Illinois This small volume, one of a series of chapter titles are Atomic Structure and Urbana the Periodic Table. Covalent Substances, monographs dealing with inorganic and Ionic Substances, '~hermodynamic cangeneral chemistry, is the work of an siderations, The Hydrogen Bond, Acids authority in the general field. Unand Bases, Met&, and Coordination Comfortunately, the untimely death of the pounds. The final chapter presents a author before its publication prevented very concise but clear discussion of exhis seeing the hook in its final form. Gmelin-Durrer Metallurgy of Iron. perimental methods such as x-ray diffracCompletion of the final details by several Volume 1, Parts A and B tion, susceptibility measurements, absorhof his colleagues (anonymous) is a tribute Edited hy E. H. E. Pietseh and the tion spectroscopy, and the techniques of to Dr. Topp's memory and a fitting recogGmelin Institute. Supplement to fast kinetics. Molecular symmetry and nition of his scientific accomplishments. "Gmelins Handbook of Inorganic Chemits applica,tion to molecular orbital calcuThe book treats in reasonable hut not istry," Syst.-No. 59, Iron, Part A, Seolations are very hriefly introduced in the specific detail the general chemistry of the tions 3 to 5. Verlag Chemie, GMBH, appendices. Nuclear and radiochemislanthanides (including yttrium). The Weinheim/Bergstrasse, 1964. Vol. la, try, topics discussed in many other intreatment is primarily descriptive and xxii 583 pp. Volume lh, iv 344 organic texts, have been omitted. includes, after a hrief introduction, pp. Figs. and tables. 18 X 25.5 em. The authors have carefully reviewed the chapters on extraction fram mineral $211. traditional information on the topics they sources, separational procedures, salts, present and have added considerable solution chemistry, unusual valency states, The fourth edition of Gmelin-Dumer's recent data. Theoretical concepts are compound types, analytical procedures, "Mehllurgy of Iron" will require four the characteristics of the metals, and well illustrated with experimental data, volumes to contain the quantity of maapplications. An Appendix summarizes and the application of theory in solving terial available. It will supplement and inorganic problems is emphasized. As a isotopes produced by pile irradiation. expand the coverage of the Gmelin Handresult this book bas as modern and soEach chapter contains s. limited number book on iron. Volume I is divided into phisticated an approach as can he found in two parts. Part A contains only textual texts written for advanced undergradmaterial, while Part B contains 668 graphiuates. The wealth of concisely presented cal illustrations and the subject index. material results in a text which requires drawings depicting crystal structures and This unique arrangement will be continued considerable effort to digest and hence is apparatus complete the volume. in the next three volumes which should be best suited for advanced students of The hook is apparently directed more to completed by 1969. the non-specialist than to the specialist average or better ability. After a brief section on history and in rare-earth chemistry. Anyone who "Concepts and Models of Inorganic definitions, 165 pages are devoted to Chemistry" has several features which aze a general appreciation reads it ~ lacquire l thermodynamic and kinetic fundamentals. very desirable and whieh are not found of the factual chemistry of this interesting Comprehensive chapters follow on ore in all texts at this level. It includes a series of elements and a reasonable underdrying, calcining and magnetic roasting, large selection of challenging and instanding of the ways in which these briquetting, sinking, pelletizing, snd formative problems with each chapter; elements resemble and differ fram the binding. an appendix summarizes the latest IUPAC other elements of the periodic system. rules for naming inorganic compounds; He will be aware also of the broad trends J. V. D. numerous footnotes in the body of the in research that have characterized laboratory and technical developments in this text cite the recent literature and are a (Conlinued on page A164)
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