BOOK
REVIEWS
Freshman Chemistry Problems and How to Solve Them. Part 1, Sfoichiomatry and Structure. Part 2, Equilibrium
M . J . Sienko, Cornell University, Ithttca, New York. W. A. Benjaniin, Inc., New York, 1964. Figs. and tsbles. 14 X 21 em. Part 1, vi 345 xxpp. $2.95. Part 2, vi 216 xxi pp. $2.95.
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This problem book is published in two parts, the first entitled, "Stoiehiometry and Structure,"thesecond, "Equilibrium!' The author states the two volumes sre designed primarily for self-study but can also serve as a text for problem sssignments. Of the 1001 problems listed, about half have detailed solutions; all except the laat one have answers. Each ohapter is introduced by describing the principles related to the solution of a particular type of problem. Somewhat over one hundred pages of the first volume are devoted to s review of mathematical operations. Included in this section is a discussion of trigonometry and analytical geometry which is applied to problems in crystal structure. The more classical meas of chemical cslculations are then considered. The treatment of stoichiometry, chemical equations, and the gas lews is partieuldy comprehensive. Chapters on the gram atom and the mole are notable for their lucidity and freedom from excess verbiage. A chapter on liquids contains several excellent problems
-Reviewed
on vapor pressure, an area too often neglected in manu& of t h k type. A section on non-stoiehiometry and defect structures is a featureof the chapter dealingwith solids. The first volume concludes with three chapters covering thermochemistry, electrochemistry, and solutions in that order. The chapter on Thermochemistry includes a brief discussion of AH; calculations involving entropy or free energy changes do not appear here or elsewhere. Failure to introduce concentration units prior to electrochemistry complicates the discussion of oxidation potentials and the Nernst equation. The final chapter contains a rather perfunctory treatment of callegative properties of 8oiutions. The second volume covers in s. very logical manner the calculations associated with various types of equilibria ordinarily included in a general chemistry course. Gaseous equilibria, weak electrolytes, and slightly soluble aalts me treated in considerable detail. The only significant omissions are in the ares. of coordination chemistry; no problems on complex-ion equilibria are considered. The inclusion of chapters on pH, buffers, and acid-base titrstion curves makes this volume a. v d ~ ~ in richer uahlv inljunrc co H P ~ T PXIIII).P* q u ~ l ~ r n t ior w quxntit;,~isrnnai~rig. Tlat all excrllmt d b u s Ins1 rilitlnrr runt;~~n* sion of simultaneous equilibria; calculations involving the hydrolysis of salts are
in this Issue
M . J . Sienko, Freshman Chemistry Problems and How to Solve Them Kenneth B. Harvey and Gmdd B. Porter, Introduction to Physical Inorganic Chemistry M . B. Watson and G. W . Youngson, Constitutional Problems in Organic Chemistry George Somovsky, Free Radical Reactions in Preparative Organic Chemistry Petr Zuman, Organic Polamgraphic Analysis Gel-ald W .King, Spectroscopy and Molecular Structure C. Sandorjy, Electronic Spectra and Quantum Chemistry H a r y Margenau and George M . Mu~phy,The Mathematics of Physics and Chemistry. Volume 2 David Pavk, Introduction to the Quantum Theory H. J . M . Bozuen and D. Gibbons, Radioactivation Analysis M . J. Wells, editor, Spectroscopy R. E. Dodd, Chemical Spectrosoopy F~ankC . Andrezus, Equilibrium Statistical Mechanics James A'. Butler, Solubility and pH Calculations E. F. Cadin, Fast Reactions in Solution F . P . Dzuyer and D. P . Mellor, editors, Chelating Agents and Metal Cheletes New Volumes in Continuing Series
690
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Journal of Chemical Mumfion
emphasized. A feature of this volume is the attention given to approximation methods of salving equilibrium problems. The text is written in an informal, conversational style which should make it both interesting and intelligible to the student. Some teachers, either became of habit or inability to be other than austere, may feel that the author has gone a little too far in his use of rolloquialisms. University of Connecticut Stows Introduction to Physical Inorganic Chemistry
Kenneth B. Harvey and Gerald B . Porter, University of British Columbia, T-ancouver, British Columbia. AddisonWesley Publishing Company, Inc., Reading, Massachusetts, 1963. x +437 pp. Figs. and tables. 16 X 24 cm. $9.75. The course in inorganic chemistry beyond the introductory freshman course probably has resisted standardization most completely of all the major areas of chemistry. Almost everyone concerned with undergraduate curricula, recognizes the need far a course in inorganic chemistry beyond the freshman year and the necessity far utilizing physiral chemical concepts, data, and theory in the presentation of this course. However, there haa been no agreement on what particular concepts of physical chemistry should be presented, whether they should be presented in the inorganic or the physical chemistry course, at what state of the undergraduate curriculum they should be presented, and whether the presentation of these principles shall be as an end in itself or as the basis of a nystematic treatment of inorganic chemistry. The object of the present text is clearly stated in the preface. "The theoretical aspect of science has progressed with the experimental so that it is no longer necessary to treat introductory inorganic
mental atomic and molecular properties. Our objective is to emphasize the principla underlying chemical phenomena rather than the phenomena themselves There is more material than can be accommodated in the average ane-year course of study. . . . There is no systematic treatment of descriptive chemistry.. However, a surprising amount of this material is covered, although from a different point of view." The authors feel that this deficiency may "be adequately compensated for by an accompanying laboratory course." The text consists of ten chapters: introduction, ionic cyrstals, atomic stmcture, thermochemistry, molecular structure, transition metal complexes, crystal chemistry, thermodynanice, solutions of electrolytes, and rates and mechanisms of reactions. Each chapter is followed by an extensive bibliography which is divided into two parts: (a) those references which "treat the material of the chapter at the same level as the present text" and ( b )
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The discussion portions of the various sections consist of brief r6sum6s of the more important examples of the reaction under consideration, from the preparative standpoint. The author deliberately avoids any consideration of the theoretical aspects or mechanisms of the reactions and this detracts from the usefulness and from the readdability of the text, in the opinion of this reviewer. For example, an page 10 the subject of the "unusual" reaction of hydrogen bromide with 3,3,3trichloropropene is mentioned. The question of mechanism of farmstian of the rearranged adduct must certainly occur to anyone reading this psrsgraph. A brief indication of the mechanism would have served to show that it is not an "unusud'l" oddity, but an example of a moderately common and predictable rearrangement reaction. The tahles included in each section are well organized for ready reference and are reasonably complete up to ahout 1960. The inevitable errors occur, as in Table 37, page 206, where (C8HJ3BH should LEROYW. H A Y N E ~ read CaH$iHh hut in general they College qf Wooster appear to he minor and easily recognizable. Wooste~,Ohio The supplementary reading list of hooks and review articles appearing at the end of the text is useful for those seeking more detailed or critics1 discussions of the topics covered. Free Radical Reactions in Preparative This book will undoubtedly prove useOrganic Chemistry ful to laboratory workers seeking a quick assessment of the scope of certain imGeorge Sosnousky, Illinois Institute of portant free-radical reactions without Technology, Chicago. Maemillan Co., recourse to a. laborious literature search. 438 pp. New York, 1964. xvi However, the emphasis on the preparative Figs. and tahles. 16 X 24 m. $17. aspects of the subject to the exclusion of the theoretical, coupled with the high The author states in his preface that price tag, make it unlikely that it will this is the first hook to be written dealing exclusively with the preparative a~pects be considered a necessary addition to the privatelibraries of most organic chemists. of free-radical chemistry. In this he is essentially accurate, though it is unF. W. STACEY fortunate that so much of his subject E. I. du Ponl de Nemours & Cmnpany matter duplicates that of Chapters 3 and Wilmington, Delaware 4 of Volume 13 of "Organic Reactions"W. C o ~ FERNELIU~ m which appeared almost concurrently with Koppem Company, Inc. this text. This duplication of effort, Maroeuille, Pennsylvania while pointing up a. problem of cammunimtian among praapective authors, is Organic Polarographie Analysis doubly unfortunate in view of the fact that a. considerable body of recent prePel? Zuman, Polarographic Institute, parative free-radical chemistry has been Czechoslovsk Academy of Science, Constitutional Problems in Organic omitted from discussion because of Prague. Mscmillrtn Co. (a Pergamon Chemistry limitations of space. Indeed, the author Press book), New York, 1964. x himself is responsible for s. goad deal of 313 pp. Figs. and tables. 14.5 X M. B. Watson and G. W. Youngsa, this recent chemistry, in such areas as both of Robert Gordon's Technical 22 cm. $6.50. metal salt-catalyzed peroxide and perCollege, Aherdeen, Scotland. D. Van In recent years, Dr. Petr Zuman has ester acylations, etc. Nostrand Co., Princeton, New Jersey, been the most active investigator of the The topics covered in the eight chapters 136 pp. 16 X 23.5 1963. v polamgrsphy of organic compounds among of the text are as follows: Addition of em. 54.75. the group of Czech chemists associated Hydrogen Halides to Unsaturated ComThis useful book is divided into two with Dr. Jaroslav Heyrovsky in the pounds; Addition of Alkyl Polyhalides to Polamgraphic Institute of the Czechsections: 168 problems, primarily of the Unsaturated Compounds; Reactions of Sulfur Compounds; Addition-type Reroad-mep type, 80 synthesis problems oslovak Academy of Science in Prague. The present volume, which largely deals actions of Water, Hydrogen Peroxide, plus answers to all, and short chapters on with the application of polarographic Alcohols, Acetds, Ethers, Carhonyl Comorganic reactions grouped by type (i.e., oxidation, reduotion, hydrolysis, elimreduction at the dropping mercury elecpounds and Saturated Compounds with trode (D.M.E.) to the determination of Unsaturated Compounds; Reactions of ination reactions, etc.). The reactions are discussed in Light of organic species, is ample evidence of the Phosphoms Compounds; Addition of their scope and limitations and as related author's interest and experience in organic Silicon and Germanium Compounds with polarography. to their diagnostic value. The majority Unsaturated Compounds; Reactions of After a 31-page introduction stressing should be familiar to the student reader. Nitrogen Oxides and Related Compounds; the various types of current control However, the grouping of the reactions by Halogenations. type rather than within the framework of encountered with the D.M.E., summary The chapters are subdivided into seechapters follow on polarographic instrufunotional groups provides a new viewtions for easy reference to specific subjects. mentation (29 pages), experimental techpoint. There are few explanations given Each section is an independent unit niques (22 pages), and 5 classification of as to why the reactions proceed as they consisting of discussion and tables. those of a more advanced character. Further, at the end of each chapter are a number of well-designed problems to aid the student in mastering the subject matter of that chapter. The appendixes present numerical values of physical constants, energy conversion factors, and selected thermodynamic data. There is a formula. ss well as a subject index and a list of symbols with page reference to the dehition of each symbol. The hook is abbundantly illustrated with clear figures. Errors are very few indeed although the authors do use the term "diastereoisomers" when "enantiomem" would have been much the preferable term. The authors' choice of material is excellent, the coverage adequate and from diverse points of view rather than aneaided, and the treatment thoroughly up to date. The sections on molecular orbitals and crystal field theory are outstanding. I t is unlikely that the student will need to "unlearn" anything covered by the text as he progresses through more advanced courses. Some will wish that the textbook had devoted more attention to generalieed acidity and to non-aqueous chemistry. The usefulness of the hook as the basis for a course prior to the course in physical chemistry will depend upon agreement within a department as to the extent of repetition of topics in the two courses. For a course in inorganic chemistry concurrent with or following one in physical chemistry, the text is excellent. As B reference, many inorganic chemists will find the book indispensable. This reviewer would like to teach systematic inorganic chemistry after the students were familiar with the principles covered by this text. The only comparable book to the reviewer's knowledge is "Physical Inorganic Chemistry" by Sienko and Plane. However, the two books are addressed to rather different audiences.
do. The primary emphasis is on what is the product when compound X is caused to react with reagent Y. The road-map prohlems range from simple hydrolysis problems to the deduction of the structures of natural produots. The information given is solely chemical and analytical. No spectral data. are employed. This limitation is explained by the authors in the preface: "Despite the many elegant physical methods now available for the elucidation of organic structures, the solution of pmhlems based on the traditional analytical and synthetio approitch still provides the best method of consolidating the student's knowledge of organic reactions." Withim this context the hook admirably fulfils its purpose. The only printing error observed was a rather glaring one which will, in all probability, be corrected in future printings. The answers to questions 15 through 40 of sections I1 and 111 were switched.
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Volume
41, Number 12, December 1964
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691
