book reviews There are a number of misleading statements and errors of omission and fact. 1propyl and 2-propyl are properly used for n-propyl and iso-propyl, but there is no mention of the naming of the four isomeric butyl groups. The prefixes, such as di, tri, etc. for two or more identical suhtitutents are not given in the hasie rules of nomenclature although they are used in illustrations and problems. On page 28, geometric isomers are defined as "compounds that have the same groups and bond sequences, hut differ in the way the atoms are held in space." This definition could apply to other types of stereoisomers as well. The restriction of eeometric isomers todouhle honds and rings is correctly indicated in the chapter on Alkenen tp. 4 4 ) . Also, on p. 28, the author states that both cyclopropane and cyclobutane are planar, thus compounds with three- or four-membered rings readily undergo ring opening reactions. Although this holds for cyclopropane, it is not true for cyclobutane. Mechanisms, which are important in correlating the large number of reactions, are presented in a clear, concise manner well suited t o a text of this type. The strongest feature of the hook are the excellently written chapters on biochemistry which include carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and drugs. Those dealing with metabolism (not found in most similar texts) and nucleic acids and heredity are of special interest t o those students whom the book is intended t o serve. There are relatively few typographical errors and mast of these occw in the figures and equations, e.g., p. 15-formula is CsHro, not C3H10; p. 111, table 6.2, one of the double honds in two of the benzyl cation structures are omitted; p. 162, the top left structure should have a CI in place of one of the OH'S; p. 180-the carboxylate ion is missing the negative charge, as is one of the oxygen atoms in the middle of p. 182. Whether this book would be a suitable t a d for the one semester organic course would depend on its purpose. If a mare thorough treatment of the hasie chemistry of the major functional groups is required, then there are better texts. If the major emphasis is to be on the biochemical topics with just enough discussion on functional groups and stereochemistry in order t o understand the biochemistrv. ,. then "Elementarv, Oreanic Chc.mutrynwould he excellent, prowded that the above errors are corrected I t w d d also be useful for the second semester of a one year eoune for nonscience students. "A Students' Problems Guide," which provides explanations to the prohlems in the text is available and I recommend it if the text is adopted. Fred A. Turner Rooseven University Chicago, lllinold 60605
Organic Chemists" offers an introduction t o several of the currently used methods for computing molecular orbitals including Pariser-Parr-Pople self consistent field theory, (PPP-SCF), Perturbational Molecular Orbital (PMO), Neglect of Differential Overlap (NDO) and nb initio methods as well as the older Huckel and Extended Huckel approaches. The use of group theory and of configuration interaction and their application to specific areas such as orbital symmetry (Woodward-Hoffman"), open shell problems, and excited states are also discussed. In these respects, the book touches on some of the most interesting and current areas of investigation in chemical research. In the preface, the author sets the level of the bwk a t "frst-year graduate students and advanced seniors" and later states that the required background for the first half (a survey of Huckel methods) is "Little heyond high school algebra and a smattering of calculus.. ."while for the more rigorous treatment in the second half (introduction of group theory, SCF, PPP, etc.) "some previous contact with matrices and determinants would he useful but is not mandatory.. ." I t is this.reviewer's opinion that "Modern Molecular Orbital Theory for Organic Chemists" requires considerably more background than this for most students. A good course in quantum mechanics and group theory are essential for an understanding of the material in the second half of the book. The introduction to group theory (p. 160) is quite brief and would require considerable outside work on the part of the student in order to master this. Since group theory is used extensively throughout the remaining chanters.. a solid hackeround is necessarv. The quantum mechanical manipulatiunr are discussed only hrwflv. >lore examples and a more extensive discussion of each new concept would be helpful. There are a sizeable number of problems (aver 170) in the text. These can be of some help t o the students in gaging their progress and understanding of the material. There is no answer section in the hook, however. Some, but not all, the problems are solved in the discussions following each problem. This is an inconvenience for those who might wish t o use the book mainly as a reference source for problems. In summarv. -~ , this hook is aimed a t advanced-level, physical organic graduate students with a penchant ior molecular orbital theory. .My recommendation is that it he used chiefly as s supplementary source for advanced molecular orbital theory courses.
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Richard S. Givens
The Uniwnity of Kansas Lawrence, Kansas 66045
Donald J Pietrzyk and Clyde W. Fmnk, University of Iowa. Academic Press, 1974. xx 661 pp. Figs. and tables. 17 X 24 cm. $13.95.
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Modem Molecular Orbllal Theory for Organlc Chemlsts Weston T. Bordon, University of Washington, Seattle. Prentice-Hall, Inc., Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, 1975. xiv 305 pp. Figs. and tables. 15.5 X 22 em. $14.95.
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"Modern Molecular Orbital Theory for A324 / Journal of Chemical Education
The authors state in the Preface of the book: "This text was designed for a one semester, introductory course in analytical chemistry. Although addressed primarily to the student of health sciences, the book can also be used in aone-semester course for the chemistry major who will subsequently enroll
in an instrumenral analpis course." This reviewer believes that the authors have quite adequately attained these goals. The text presents a good hasic introduction to quantitative analysis and is oriented to the student of the health sciences through use of illustrations and experiments in the hiological. clinical.. nharmaceutical. and environ~~~. mental areas. The treatment may be somewhat rlgoraus for health science students, but with proper choices of material and guidance, I believe the text would he a good choice for instructors of these students. The text would also be agood choice for use in a quantitative analysis course for the ehemistrv, maim. ~, The book has manv ,chanters which c d d s e n e as an excellent introduction to instrumental annlyss. The book contains much more material than an instructor could discuss in one semester, but appropriate areas can be selected t o be pursued in lecture. There are 30 chapters in the bwk, of which 16 are in areas of conventional auantitative analysis,and 1.1 are in thearcasof advanced topics and instrumental analysis (including ion sensitive electrodes, chromatography, polarography, and radioactivity). The book is essentially divided into four major areas: spectroscopy, acid base methods, potentiometry, and chromatography. Each area consists of a number of chapters, the first of which provides the fundamentals of that particular area, followed by more detailed chapters. These topics may not be arranged in the order desired by every instructor but individual reorganization would be possible. The standard calculations of quantitative analvsis are well treated and develoned in the hook, ie.. grawmstric. \.ulumetrir, concentration, ete.Thcehapter onstatisticsl treatment of analpleal data ir brief, but adequate uit h the erreptron of s minor error on p. 69. 1)iscussionr and prohlems have been oriented tonard pracrical analytical rhemrstry, uhirh students should find appealing (e.g., moon rock analysis). The authors have ineludedan excellent selection of tables and graphs eontaining a wealth of information. Titration curves are well treated with unique flow sheet diagams indicating the principles of caleulation a t the different points in the titration curves. The reviewer appreciated the listing of newly developed acid and base primary standards. There is a good selection of basic erperiments which adequately cover and illustrate the topics discussed in the text and the foundation is provided for future expansion in each area. In gravimetric analysis the determination of sulfate and nickel are given rather than the standard chloride determination. In the instrumental area the experimental coverage would have been more complete if an atomic absorption, a eoulometric titration, and a radiochemical experiment had been included. In summary, the text offers a worthwhile contribution to the field. The book is one that mstructurs would probably like w use in their courses and m e that students would like to keep after the course for reference. ~
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Lee H. Kalbus Callfo~nlaSmte Coilege. San Bernardlno Sen Sernardino, California 92407
(Continued on page A326)
