BOOK
REVIEWS
Physical Chemistry
Gorda M . Bamm, Case Institute of Technology, Cleveland, Ohio. McGraw-Hill Book Co., Inc., New York, 1961. xiii 694 pp. Figs. and tables. 17.5 X 24 om. $8.95.
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This text may he recommended to the instruetar in the elementarv course who
more modern aspects. It should prove particularly valuable to the graduate student interested in a comprehensive survey of the field. The average beginning student will find the pace and level a challenge to his ability; the superior student will find a course built around this text an exciting experience. Atomic structure, molecular structure, and chemical bonding are treated at greater length than is customary in an elementary text; about one-third of the subject matter falls in this general area. The discussion of such topics as crystal field theory, ?mamagnetism, and NMR spectroscopy gwes some indication of the level at which structure and bonding are treated. Approximately one-third of the hook is devoted to thermodynamics. The
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statirrtieal approach is used to reinforce and explain the observations and laws of classical thermodynamics. The latter area is the only one in which tKe book is open to serious criticism. The statements of the first and third laws are particularly misleading. The treatment of chemical equilibrium is so abbreviated as to be of little value to the student who has not already acquired a thorough grasp of the principles involved. Perhaps the most outstanding chapter is that dealing with the rates and mechanisms of reactions. The emphasis here is placed, as it should he, on the use of rate laws in unravelling reaction mechanisms, particularly in the field of organic chemistry. The application of such modern techniques as flash photolysis and mass spectroscopy to problems of current research interest is described in a manner calculated to excite the interest of the student. This same rcseerch-oriented itp~ r o s c his used in B chanter on macromolc~~ulm where 1i.e ~ p ~ ~ l i w tui i ort~&rn u uf the terhnicws t o t l drrrrmiwition ~ srurrurr of proteim a d ~,tl,trpulynaeric materials is discussed. I t is highly unlikely that all the material in this text could he covered adequately in a year course in elementary physical chemistry. The arrangement of material,
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in This Issue
Gbrdon M . Barrow, Physioal Chemistry
L. Eade Arnow and Marie C. D'Andrea Logan, Introduction to Physiological and Pethological Chemistry Harold Hart and Robert D. Schuetz, A Short Course in Organio Chemistry Robert B. Fiseher, A Basic Course in the Theory and Practice of Quantitative Chemical Analysis
0.W . Nilz, Introductory Chemistry I . M. Kolthoff and Philip J . Elving, Treatise on Analytical Chemistry. Part 2, Analytical Chemistry of the Elements, Volume 5 S. C. Wallwork, Physical Chemistry for Students of Pharmacy and Biology David J . G. lves and George J . Janz, Editors, Reference Elcotrodes: Theory and Praotiee The NMR-EPR Sta$ of Varian Associates, NMR and EPR Spectroscopy E. H . B. Pietsch and the Cmelin Institute, Editors, Gmelins Handbuch der Anorganisohen Chemie. 8. Auflage. System 9, Sulfur, Part B P . Colmnt, Chimie Gknkrale et abrkgk de Chimie Minkrsle Leo. E. Klopfer, The Discovery of Bromine, The Chemistry of Fixed Air Soviet Research on Organo-Phosphorus Compounds, 194S195G
however, is such that one could select for discussion a limited number of topics without sacrificing clarity or continuity. In particular, several topics indicated in the text by asterisks could readily he omitted. The problems at the end of each chapter are graded in difficulty and are, for the most part, adequate though hardly inspiring. The numerous illustrations throughout the text are uniformly cxcellent. The frequent use of literature references serves to stress the major theme of this text-the application of physical chemical principles to modern chemical research.
Introduction to Physiological and Pothological Chemistry
L. Earle Amm, Warner-Lamhert Research Institute, Morris Plains, New Jersey, and Marie C. D'Andrea Logan, S t . Vincent's School of Nursing, Indianapolis, Indiana. 6th ed. C. V. Moshy Co., St. Louis, Missouri, 1961. 490 pp. Figs. and tables. 17 X 24.5 cm. $5.50. This textbook for nurses is written in a very readable style. The student nurse is led by the hand through some of the common pitfalls such as the balancing of chemical equations and the solving of weight-weight problems. Clinical and other applications are numerous. However, this is a mediocre textbook of chemistry because it has a very inaccurate and shoddy presentation of chemical principles. The following quotations illustrate some of the false statements which students will grasp with case and relinquish with difficulty: "Calcium hydroxide (Cs(OH)$) is a. weak base" (p. 85); "Only molecules having electrovalence can form ions in water" (p. 95); "Some water molecules possess electrovalence hut most water molecules contain only covalent linkages" (p. 95); "Equilibrium between silver chloride and the ions which unite to form it (Ag+ and C1-) is not possible, then, because the silver chloride does not remain in solution and therefore cannot dissociate again into tons" (p. 102); "Organic acids are muoh weaker than inorganic acids" (p. 159). Although the new definitions of the meter, the latest metric ~refixes,and a list of nuclear particles and anti-particles are included, the current symbols for argon and einsteinium are not. Hydrolysis is defined too broadly as any reaction involving water. A saturated solution is d e h e d awkwardly as one which contains all of the salute it is capable of holding. I t is implied that isomerism is unique to organic compounds. The alkyl halides are called esters. Resonance is shown as a n equilibrium phenomenon. For the hydrolysis of sodium carbonate, with conditions unspecified, the reaction is said to he fastest for the formation of unhydrolyzed sodium carbonate.
Volume 39, Number 2, February 1962
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Other careless errors occur. HCIOI is called perchlorous acid. On page 123 mercury is listed as the only liquid element st room temperature while on page 121 bromine is given as s. liquid. On page 150, the term "halogen" means acid former, but on page 120 it means salt former. On page 118, N&OH is named ammonia. hydroxide. Other out-dated statements have been retained from other editions. "Lysol" is called a cresol mixture. Non-inflammable carbon tetrachloride is given as the safest dry cleaning solvent, but no mention is made of the health hazards which have driven it from the dry cleaning field. The dr.ying of p a i ~ is t attributed to the oxidation of linseed oil which rarely occurs in paint today. No major format change has occurred since edition 5. Part I, Introduction to Chemical Science, contains m expanded se~tionon organic chemistry (four chapters) including chapters on isomerism and cyclic eompounds. Part 11, Physiological and Pathological Chemistry, appears to be much more up-to-date and free of errors than Part I. In this edition much material has been put in small print either for omission or as reference ma.teial. Recause of its many misconceptions and errors, this book does not answer the prayers of chemistry teachers faced with teaching a class of nurses.
chemistry are skillfully integrated with differences frequently rationalized on the basis of electron distribution concepts. Simple molecular orbital diagrams are used where most appropriate. Within each chapter the subject matter is presented smoothly in the "normal" sequence including physical properties (briefly), nomenclature, preparative methods, reactions, and other appropriate topics. Common names of many important compounds are given, and enough systematic nomenclature is presented to illustrate usage and permit application to many straightforward cases (normal hydrocarbons are named through octane). An impressive number of the more important reactions and preparative methods are covered, usually without discussion of limitations and side reactions. Several reaction mechanisms are presented in elementav terms where they serve as useful instructional material, as in displacement reactions and acid catalyeed esterification. Pictorial models are frequently and effectively used. The last chapters cover optical isomerism, carbohydrates, amino acids and nroteins. and natural nroducts.
In general the text is subject to the same criticisms and plaudits as those previously described. I t is still traditional in scope and is a "utilitarirtn text, and on that basis s. good one." J . M. PAPPENHAOEN Kenyon College Gambier. Ohio
Introductory Chemistry
0. W . Nitz, Stout State College, Menomonie, Wisconsin. 2nd ed. D. Van Nostrand Ca., h e . , New York, 1961. viii 631 pp. Figs. and tables. 16.5 X 23.5 cm. $4.95.
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This text is a revision of the first edition which wes reviewed in THIS JOURNAL, 34, A126 (1957). The extensive changes include: a new chapter on compound formation, a more extensive treatment of chemical equations m d reactions, a revised chapter on oxidation and reduction, modernization of the chapter on nuclear trsnsform&ms, more background material on organic chemistry, a eonsiderable increase in the space devoted to biochemistry, updated and reorgani~ed synthesis, and formula or structural dechapters on important industrial fields, terminations. addition of nickel to the limited numbpr of Printing and conceptual errors me rare. MILTONK. SNYDER In general the authors have effectively met& considered, and an improved order The Colomdo College for some d the early chapters. The presented the skeletal concepts of organic Colomdo Springs changes increased the length of the book chemistrv in an interesthe context whieh by 111 pages to over 600 pages. Howpn~vi~lc~n~nplro~rport~~n~t)~f~~rrlal~orrrlior~ ever, since many chapters are not interby thc ir.~lrlwlwr111 fit tlar rrrwl.i uf hi4 dependent, the length is not an objecclass. tionable feature. A Shoe Course in Organic Chemistry C. FREEMANALLEN The selection of illustrations is excellent. Pomona College The chapter summaries are well written Harold Hart and Robert D. Schuetz, Clarmont, California and the inclusion of a section on Principles Michigan State University, East Lanis commendable. The exercises give sing. 2nd ed. Houghton MitRin Co., adequate coverage of quelitatire concepts Boston, 1959. 346 pp. Figs. and and factual material but neglect the tables. 17 X 23.5 em. 56. quantitative aspects of chemistry. A Basic Course in the Theory and The historical material which appears Thir rrxr of :l:U I S H R P ~h;u Iwcn w i t t r n Pmctica of Quadiktive Chemical Anin many places but especially in the early t o prctcrrt O T ~ H I I I V~hcuti.itryto stu~Icnr9 of alysis chapters is skillfully handled and should agriculture, home economics, medicine, help stimulate the reader's interest. and other fields where familiarity with the Robert B. Fischer, Indiana University, The chapter on Common Dangerous more common terminology and concepts Bloomington. W. B. Saunders Co., Materials covers a much-neglected field is required rather than s. chemist's workPhiladeluhia. Pennwlvania. 1961. 2nd in a clear-cut and interestingstylc. ing knowledge. In selecting topics and 501 pp: Figs'and tables. ed. xi The three chapters devoted to bioexamoles to illustrate chemical nrineinles 16.5 X 24 om. $6.75. chemistry and the f i ~ echapters on the the authors have given preference to procindustrial fields of petroleum, plastics, esses and substances, especially those of This book is the second edition of s n synthetic rubber, coatings and detergents biologicd interest, likely ta be encountered earlier work ( T ~ S JOURNAL, 34, 363 are uniformly excellent for thestudent who by non-chemists. The materid seems to (1957)) and has undergone only minor is primarily learning about chemistry be wisely selected, but it is probably imrevision. rather than leaning chemistry as a basis possible to avoid controversial decisions The following items are examples of for rontinued work. I t is in developing in any short text (thus imides are not some of the changes. Answers to all an understanding of and an appreciation discussed but a page is devoted to saponiproblems (not just the add-numbered tor basir theoretical concepts that the fication and iodine numbers). ones) are given. A two-page passage on author of a book of this type experiences The student using this text should have nonaqueous titrations is included. The his greatest difficulty. In the opinion of a working knowledge of first year college subject matter of Chapter 12, Volumetric this reviewer, the author has reached a chemistry topics such as oxidation-reducPrecipitation and Complex Formation reasonable compromise in the difficulttask Methods, now appears in two separate tion, Lewis structures, and calculation of of selecting fundamental concepts to be chapters. The new laboratory experiempirical and molecular formulas. These presented, but sometimes f d a to develop ments include one an the application of are not reviewed. these concepts with sufficientthoroughness ion exchange techniques and several on Chapters covering the functional classes and neglects subsequent opportunities to of organic compounds begin with bydrothe applications of instrumental techemphasize their usefulness. niques (colorimetry, turbidimetry, eleecarbons, and proceed in sequence through In addition to an over-all evaluation of ethers, alcohols and phenols, halogen comtrometry), and the corresponding theoretia book, a textbook reviewer may serve pounds, aldehydes and ketones, csrboxylic cal treatment of these topics has been to warn the instructor who uses it of acids and their derivatives, fats, oils, waxes somewhat expanded and improved. specific weaknesses and to suggest to the The review questions and problem have and detergents, and smines and diazonium (Catinued on page AiS9) undergone little or no change. compounds. Aliphatic and aromatic
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Journal of Chemical Education
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