shifts, the alphabet and grammar of chemi d information, dynamic equilibrium, chemical bonds, solutions, electric current and chemical change, organic matter, and the smallest "clot" of molecules. There are fairly numerous questionable expressions, such as the statement that "it is these electrons thzt create the surface of the atom" and various errors. However, these might he excusable in a book which is designed to give the reader an impression of chemistry rather than to introduce an exact study of the field. A more serious problem is the fact that the "untrained" resder in expected to have understanding of such effects as the push and pull of mrtgnetism and electricity, inertia, and spontaneous generation. He ia also emected to follow references to the
as water, alcohols, ethers, and phenols. The book aims to consider all types of acceptor atoms, but not all acceptor molecules are covered. Acceptor molecules are restricted to those in which the acceptor atom is hound to hydrogen, halogen, slkyl, or aryl. There is an early o v e ~ e w of characteristic coordination numbers of a variety of acceptor atoms which is followed by an extensive discussion of adducts formed with molecules containing the earhonyl group. Discussion of sdducts with donors containing 3 NO, -NOn, -N=O, tP=O, >As=O, eSb=O, >S=O, >S'Ofollow
kn
in order. Adducts of sul-
fur dioxide and of sulfur trioxide are then considered, followed by adducts of molecules containing the >Se=O group. There is a separate section on addurts but they do have mass." with Bronsted acids (as distinguished Most serious is the fact that the book from Lewis acids). There is a short does not seem to make any r e d attempt section as tern& adducts (adducts to give insight into laboratory practice and formed from three different molecular chemical reactions as they actually occur. speoies). Chapter 2 on Modern Science Begins with The author then devotes several psgerr Measurement has no reference to any to a summary of experimental studies measurement to detect or determine chemrelating to the existence of rnoleeulsr ical change. The remainder of the book adducts of "oxo" compounds in the liquid has equations, formulas, and some tables, state, but consideration in this section is but no diagram or photograph of any labincomplete and is generally restricted oratory process or piece of equipment. to adducts which have also been isolated It must he conceded that the reviewer in the solid state. Equilibrium and of a book such as this usually does not thermoehemieal studies of donor-acceptor bring toit the type of background expected reactions are summarized hut this treatin the reader; and due credit should also ment is highly condensed and gives no be given to an author who is willing to detailed discussion. attempt an important but usually rather A section on s t ~ c t u ~ adat,a l (hond thankless job. Even so, one cannot avoid length and angles) as determined by the regretful conclusion that the present X-ray diffraction and spectroscopic studies volume fails to attain its hasic objective as is presented and includes some excellent stated in the foreword. Like most books structural diagrams. of the sort, it may give the reader some The "chemistry" of the adduct moleinsight into the language of chemists and cules is not neglected as the author insome enjoyment in reading about ideas of cludes 8. section on decomposition reactions chemicals; but it does not truly introduce of the adducts and on the catalytir propthe resder to any enjoyment of the way erties of acceptor molecules. in which chemists probe into the structure The latter part of the book contains a of matter or of the science of chemistry in section entitled A Theory for Donorgeneral. Acceptor Interaction with 0x0-compounds presented at a level of complexity which ROBBINC. ANDERSON the author states in his preface to be Uniue~sityoj Tezas "one which is considered useful by a Austin great number of experimental chemists." The theoretical treatment is qualitative and non-mathematical. Each reader will have his o w n opinion concerning the author's choice in this matter. Certainly, the discussion is quite useful if supplemented by somewhat more fundnmental trestments of some of the theInorganic Adduct Molecules of Oxooretical eoncepta invoked. Compounds The laat section of the text contains n table by years (beginning with 1857) Ingoat Lindpuist, Uppsela, Sweden. of nearly seven hundred references to the Academic Press, Inc., New York, originalliterature. 1963. vi 129 pp. Figs. and tables. The reviewer was impressed by the 15.5 X 23.5 em. 56.50. very useful character of this small volume and the evident care with whieh the author This small volume contains an amazing has prepared it. It will he exceedingly amount of information concerning molecvaluable to inorganic chemists generally, ular adducts formed between some incomplex chemists particularly and will organio electron pair acceptor molecules be indispensable to those who are working rtnd "oxo" compounds acting as electronin the area of molecular adducts. pair donors. The prefix "oxo" is restricted in thirr treatment to donor species HARRYH. SISLER containing st least one oxygen atom University qf Florida bonded to only m e other atom, thus Gainemilk excluding bioovalent oxygen donors such
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Vol. 41, No. 8, August 1964
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