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stability of emulsions and the phenomenon of phase inversion have, even in the latest testbooks touching on these subjects, been described as mysterious, and it is deplorable that knowledge of a phenomenon on the face of i t simple, used by Nature and by industry on a large scale, should be just emerging from empirical practice. The fourth edition of Dr. Clayton’s book goes a long way to remedy this position. He realizes how the advances in knowledge of the physical chemistry of phenomena occurring a t interfaces (especially those occurring a t the oil-water interface), ever since Langmuir’s conception of orientation of molecules a t the air-water interface in 1917, are helping to elucidate the problems of emulsions and their technical applications. The book includes an excellent survey, with very full references t o the latest scientific work on the structure and nature of interfacial films, and solid particles a t interfaces; the substances used as emulsion-stabilizing agents which compose these films, their electrical, hydration, and dispersion properties; the interfacial viscosity and the viscosity of the emulsion phases; together with the latest work on particle-size distribution and adsorption of ions and protection against ions by protective colloids, etc.; also reactions taking place a t the interface and membranes composing special interfaces. Dr. Clayton gives a n unbiased view of all the theories relating to the stability of emulsions and the phenomenon of phase inversion, showing how each contributes t o the building up of a clear picture of the subject as a whole. He gradually merges all this scientific work into its technical implications, giving a very comprehensive list of patents for each industry involved. The book likewise includes a descript,ion both of the instruments used in the scientific work and of the technical machinery used in preparing emulsions. It is to be expected that with the advance of the scientific treatment of emulsions which this book gives, a great improvement will take place in their technical application and new uses will be found for them, especially in the technical biological fields of food and agriculture. The large number of new emulsifying agents which have been made available t o the research chemist by the emulsion industry is proving invaluable for many problems in colloid chemistry, and i t gives a source of supply of pure chemicals which would normally be very difficult t o come by. Most of these agents are also of considerable biological interest. These substances are listed in the references under the heading of “Complex organic emulsifying agents”; this elucidates the chemistry of many of the substances usually only known by trade names. The book is well bound and printed on exceptionally good paper. J. H. SCHULMAN. Mechanism and Chemical Kinetics of Organic Reactions i n Liquid Systems. Monograph reprinted from the Transactions of the Faraday Society. Si x 9 in.; 205 pp. London: Gurney and Jackson. Price: 15 s. This monograph is a reprint of material published in the Transactions of the Faraday Society 37, 601-806 (1941), disclosing a complete account of the papers presented before the members of the Faraday Society a t a symposium. The topics discussed in order were as follows: (1) Introductory Remarks-C. K. Ingold. (8) Mechanism and Kinetics of Substitution a t a Saturated Carbon Atom-E. D. Hughes. (S) Mechanism and Kinetics of Aromatic Side-chain Substitution. Interpretation of Reaction Data by the Method of Relative Energy Levels-J. W. Baker. (4) Activation Energy of Ionic Substitution-Baughan and Polanyi. (6) The Mechanism and Kinetics of Elimination Reactions-E. D. Hughes and C. K. Ingold. (6) Mechanism and Kinetics of Carboxylic Ester Hydrolysis and Carboxyl Esterification-N, E. Day and C. K. Ingold. (7) Mechanism of the Addition and Condensation Reactions of Carbonyl Compounds-H. B. Watson. (8) Some Observations Relating to the Prototropic Changes of Carbonyl Compounds-H. B. Watson. ( 9 ) Mechanism and Kinetics of Anionotropic Change-M. P. Balfe and J . Kenyon. (10) Kinetics and Mechanism of Some Electrophilic Benzene Substitution Reactions-A. E. Bradfield and B. Jones. (11) Mechanism and Kinetics of Additions t o Olefinic Compounds-Gwyn Williams. (fa) The Mechanism and Kinetics of
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Reactions Involving Free Radicals-W. A. Waters. (is) Mechanism of Cannizzaro Reaction and Some Allied Processes-Joseph Weiss. (14) The Mechanism and Kinetics of Ring Closure-G. M. Bennett. .Is pointed out by Professor Ingold, the syniposium was held a t a most opportune time and followed as a natural and logical sequence t o the earlier symposium held by the Society in 1937. It is now possible for those who do not have ready access t o the Transactions of the Faraday Society t o possess as a portion of their personal libraries a n elegant review of organic reaction mechanisms as we now know them, presented in a concise and yet thorough nianner. The discussions which followed each presentation were stimulating and offered themselves a s valuable addenda t o the main paper. Pertinent literature references relevant t o every phase of the work are included. The English chemists who have directed their efforts toward the Understanding of theso difficult mechanistic processes are to be congratulated 011 the inilia1 successes they have achieved. This well-conceived monograph should be of tremendous value t o all who have “before then1 the ideal of the elevation of Organic Chemistry to a physical status, by the supersesession of its old empiricisms and recipes by physical understanding and exact technique.”
RICHARD T. ARXOLD. Introduction to Electrochemistry. By SAXUEI,GLASSTOXE.6 x 91 in.; vii 4- 545 p p , ; 89 tables; 135 figures. Xew York City: D. Van Nostrand Company, 1942. Price: $5.00. Professor Glasstone has been the author or coauthor of many hooks in this field and has proven himself very capable of presenting theoretical material in a n easily understood form. This book is no exception, since the author has done a n admirable job of bringing the underlying theories of electrochemistry up-to-date and in presenting them in such a manner that students.can easily grasp the subject matter. A s t,he author states in t,he preface, this book is written for use primarily as a text and not as a reference work. The literature references are in the most part t o recent publications nnd review articles from which the student may if he wishes proceed further in his study of this subject. .4t the end of each chapter illustrative probletns are given. S o attempt has been made to give a complete historical background for the prcsent-day theories, but,, in order t o simplify the presentation, the author devotes his entire energy toward ontlining the modern accepied theories as he sees them. The subject matter includcd in this volume is not n s inclusive as the title might indicate. Only t,he electrochemistry of dilute solutions is presented in detail; however, in the case of the discussion of activity, solutions up t o three molal are considered in some cases. For the most part the description and theory of practical applications of electrochemistry are not covered. One very serious oversight is the exclusion of all reference to the subject of fused electrolytes. In general, i t may be said t h a t this book gives a good comprehensive treatment of the theories of modern electrochemistry as they apply t o dilute aqueous solut,ions,presented in a form well suited for use a s a text. H. B. LINFORD.
Treatise on Physical Chemistry. Vol. I , Atomistics and Themodynamics. By H. S.T A Y LOR A X D SAMCEL GLASSTONE.679 pp, ServYork City: D. Van Kostrand Company, 1912. Price: $7.50; $6.50 on order for the set. The present is the first of five volumes replacing the earlier second (1931; edition of H. S. Taylor’s well-known treatise of two volumes under the same title. I t can hardly he called a “revision” since, judging from this first volume, a largely rewritten treatise is planned. The first chapter, “The .Itomic Concept of Matter,” by the senior author includes not only the stable atom and stable isotopes of all the elements, together with tables of mass and abundance, but also the radioactive atoms, natural and artificial, including complete tables of properties.
