These experiments are intended to be performed by senior undergraduates or first-year graduate students taking a first course in polymer chemistry. A background in physical chemistry, including especially kinetics, is assumed. These experiments are intended to help remedv what the authors oerceive a s s deficiency in the education of r h e n i ~ l sin pol)mrr xcience. The dominant pusition uf polymer synthesis and production in chemical industry makes it imperative, in the authors' view, that information concerning this area of chemistry be disseminated to potential workers in the field. This oaoerbound volume comorises fifteen .. experiment* in polymer synthesis and charneterizatim. With each experiment is pres e n t 4 a set of learning ol,jectiwr. sugre~ted background readings, a list of required equipment and chemicals including suppliers where appropriate, and a "safety statement" detailine.. oossible daneers inherent in the . pnwdure. One of the best features is the exhaustive theury section in which the mechanism of the polymer-forming reaction is clearly spelled out. Mathematid equations far calculation of kinetic parameters and polymer molecular weights are also very well detailed. The procedure section is also very comolete. . . containine clear instructions for the uperstion i,f all equipment or inrtrumentation needed. Other very gwd features are the sell-testand thp optima for extending the experiment. The first nine experiments employ relatively simple glassware (dilatometers, viscometers, reflux apparatus) or the more common instrumentation KJV. . . IR soectro. photometers). The tinal sir experiments involve more complex or uuusual instrun~et~ts such as light-scattering photometers, K M H spectrometers, differential scanning calorimeters, and the like. The experiments involve synthesis of various . oolvmers (oolvstvrene. . .. , , . .oolvmethvl . methacrylate, polyethylene terephthalate, nylons, rpuxies). variow method* uf initiation of pulynwriration, and various m r t h d s of characterization (e.g., molecular weight methods, end group analysis by titration, UV analysis of polymer composition, IR analysis of crosslinking). Kinetics of polymerization are studied with reeard to effect of initiator concentration, monomer concentration, detergents, and temperature on reacticm rate and molecular weight of product. Attention is paid to the historical development of the field of polymer chemistry. The main flaws in this otherwiselaudable oackaee . .. are minor tvooeraohical -. .. . errors. aceaximal ~rammaticslerrors, and spelling ernrrs leg., ahsurbance cuniiitmtly spelled incorrectly as "absarbence") and mare serious proofreading errors (e.g., "chained" for drained, "monometer" for monomer, "Sehotten-Baughman" for Schotten-Baumann), all of which detract from the presentation. There is difficulty in reading formulas and equations easily due to the printing method, which is reminiscent of mimeagraphed copy. This material is worth making intoa better finished package than has been done.
Allan G. Splingerber Oustavus Adolphus College St. Peter. MN 56082
CONTINUING SERIES 1982
Compendium ot Organlc Synthetic Methods, Volume V Leroy G. Wade, Jr., John Wlley & Sons. hc.. Somerset. MI, 1984. xvi 552 pp. 16 X 23.5 cm. $37.50
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OrganotransRion Metal Chemistry: Applications t o Organic Synthesls, Volume 2 of t h e Organic Chemistry Series Stephen G. Davies, Pergamon Press Ltd., Elmsford, NY. 1982. xv 411 pp. $27.00
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PB. $85.00 HE
List of Topics: Preparation oE Acetylenes, Carboxylic acids; Acid halides and anhydrides; Alcohols and Phenols; Aldehydes; Alkyls, Methylenes, and Aryls; Amides; Amines; Esters; Ethers and Epoxides; Halides and Sulfonates; Hydrides; Ketones; Nitriles; Olefins, and Defunctional compounds.
Advances In Chromatography, Volume Electroanalyiical Chemlstry, Volume
22 J. Calvin Giddings, Eli Grushka, Jack Cares. Phyllis R. Bmwn (Editors) Marcel Dekker, Inc.. New York, NY. 1983. xvi 323 pp. Figs. and tables. 16 X 23.5 cm.
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$49.50
List of Contents and Contributors: Highperformance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry of biologically important neuropeptides, Dominic M. Desiderio; High-performance liquid chmmatagraphy of amino acids; Ion-exchange and reversedphase strategies, Robert F. Pfeifer and Dennis W. Hill: Resolution of Racemates bv high.perforkance liquid chromntograph;, Vndim A. 1)avankov.Alexander A. Kurganov, and Alexander S. Horhkov; High-performance liquid chromatography of metal complexes, Hans Veening and Bennett R. Willeford; Chromatography of carotenoids and retinoids, Richard F. Taylor; High-performance liquid chromatography of porphyrins, Zbyslaw J. Petryka; Small-bore columns in liquid chromatography, Raymond P. W. Scott.
13 Allen J. Barn! Marcel Dekker, Inc.. New York. NY, 1984. xi 392 pp. Figs. and tables. 16 X 23.5 cm. $59.75
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List of Contents and Contributors: Spectroelectmchemistry at Optically Transparent Electrodes. 11. Electrodes Under Thin-Layer and Semi-Infinite Diffusion Conditions and Indirect Coulometric Titrations, William R. Heineman, Fred M. Hawkridge, and Henry N. Blonnt; Polynomial Approximation Techniques for Differential Equations in Electrochemical Problems, Stanley Pons; Chemical Modified Electrodes, Royce W. Murray
Catalyst Manufacture; Laboratory and Commercial Preparations, Chemical Industriesll4 Alvin B. Stiles. Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, NY. 1983. vi 176 pp. Figs. 15.5 X 23.5 cm. $49.75
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Pulp and Paper: Chemlstry and Chemical Technology, Third Edition, Volume 4 James P. Casey, (Editor), John Wiley 8 Sons. Inc., Somerset. NJ. 1983. xxx 2609 pp. Figs. and tables. 16.5 X 24 cm.
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$75.00
List of Contents and Contributors: Pigment coating, R. W. Hagemeyer; Printing, Michael H. Bruno, W. C. Walker; Reprography, Norman A. Nielsen; Laminating, Gerald F. Bramel; Corrugating, A. J. KiDomminicis and G. H. Klein; Paper Reinforcement by Polymer Addition, 3. F. Waterhouse; Paper Laminates. J. L. Robertson:. Aaueous and . Solvent Coating, L. .I. Carlaon, kktrusim Ccmting. R. H. Cramm; Hot-melt coating. James P. Casey Volume 61
Number 1 0
October 1984
A275
