BOOK R E V I E W S with a listing of the basic equations of change and shows haw dimensional analysis can be used to find the important groupings of variables. Next, the concept of residence time distributions and their use with homogeneous, isothermal r e actions are illustrated for single and chains of perfectly mixed vessels. Tubular (plug flow) reacton are then covered along with comparisons with stirred tanks. Simple plug flow design methods for multiphase systems are also presented. All of the above consider single reactions and the industrially important case of design for multiple reactions is not discussed. Tem~eratureeffects are next introduced.
stirred tank and tubular reactom are au& lined. Finally, i t is shown how mass transfer effects, with emphasis on intraand inter-particle diffwion, are introduced into the calculation. Although a. wide range of topics is
design data are extremely convenient for performing calculslions. Extensive references are given in each section but many of of them are not very upto-date. A useful feature for English-speaking readers is the thorough coverage of the German literature. Thus, the book will prohably
6nd its greatest use as a. reference work rather than a. text.
KENNETH B. BISCHOFF Unive~sityof Tezm Austin Nonexistent Compounds: Compounds of Low Stability
W . E. Dasat, Victoria. Universit,y of Wellington, New Zealsnd. Maxel Dekker, Inc., New York, 1965. ix 182 pp. Figs. and tabla. 15.5 X 23.5 cm. $8.50.
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The author eives an accurate d e s c r i ~
simpler d e s of valence, but which are nevertheless characterized by a low degree of stability." The emphasis given in t,he title to the bizarre can surely be forgiven. Authom and ~ublishersof chemistrv books are rarely afforded the chance of an intriguing title. While the author stresses the importance of kinetic as well as thermodynamic factors in the stability of chemical species, the treatment throughout the text is almost entirely from the point of view of thermadvnamics. The first chanter illustrates the various standard ways of estimating heate of formation and free energies of reactions. There are numerous tables of data which, had they included Latimer's entropy table and a table of ionic radii, woold have fnrnished a
handy source of materid for the solution of many problems. I n the seven subsequent chptem, a variety of questions for which only semiquantitative &ta a n be found are tackled with considerable resourcefulness in the ways of arriving a t numerical estimates. The following familiar topios are discussed. The energy balance in the promotion of electrons to possible bondfonning orbitals and the energy of the chemical bonds in the subsequent wmpound. Examples are the nonexistence of NX,, the imtahility of higher oxidation states in the postAransition elements of periods 4, 5 and 6 and in the transition elements of period 4 and the nonexistent chlorides, bromides and iodides of the nohlegases. Theinstability of monomeric species containing multiple bonds in compounds of the non-metah of the 3rd and subsequent periods and the instability of self-linking among these elements are discussed phenomenologically. Noble gas compounds of the type XeBF, and X e r SiFe are shown to he definitely on the list of likely compounds in spite of the unfavorable entropy term. I n view of this interesting observation it is rather s q r i s ing that same other ionic species were not considered. I t would have been instructive to compare the stabilities of Xe01 and X ~ O S - ~of, PI& and pHn-, of NF,+F- with NF,+SKF-. T h e general phenomenon that unstable oxides such as P102give highly sbahle compounds such as Sr.PrOs suggests the importance of lattice energy in overcoming the energy(Continued on page A760)
Volume 43, Number 9, September 1966
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A759
BOOK REVIEWS consuming processes of electron promotion and vaporization of metali. Some instances of this are given in dealing with the nonexistence of AsC15, CdlCh. The subject matter is interesting. The book is well written and well documented. I t would be of interest t,o most inorganic chemists but its place in the classroom is not clear. Perhaps i t could provide a useful bayis for a short seminar type course a t the senior or first year graduate level. Such an exercise would be an invaluable experience for the student and a challenging one for the teacher.
ROLAND WARD University of Cmnecticut Storrs
Oxidation Mechanisms
T . A. Tumey, University of Auckland, Nem Zealand. Butterworths, Washington, D. C., 1965. viii 208 pp. 14.5 X 22 em. $6.50.
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This little (and relatively inexpensive) hook is rather completely uncritical, is not particularly well written, contains some errors, and is not very attractively bound. I n addition, the selection of material covered seems quite arbitrary. None the less, this hook is one which I feel sure will find its way to the shelves of the
A760
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lourno1 o f Chemical Education
libraries of almost everyone with an interest in oxidation. The book is divided into chapters chiefly according to the type of reactants involved; e.g., cation-cation, cation-substrate, anion-anion, and others, ending with homogeneous gas phase oxidations and heterogeneous oxidations. The subjects are treated from both theoretical and experimentalpoint of view, the theory being exceedingly brief (with no mention, for example, of the work of R. A. Marcus). The real value of this vulume is that it is well indexed, both according to authors and subjects, and it contains a wealth of references to a great many subjects for book so small. Thus, if one wants to know, for example, something of what studies have heen made in inorganic systems using oxygen as the oxidant, he can find references to some (but not all) work of this type; and this can be done quickly and conveniently. Another valuable asset of the book is that one can quickly find an interpretation of extensive data in terms of kinetic chemical equations followed by the rate law which applies. One overall reaction will seldom occupy a complete page and often a half-dozen reactions will be so laid out on a. single page. Therefore, many reactions are covered in spite of the slimness of the book. I t can serve as valuable outside reading for sti~dents from sophomores through the gradmte level.
F. R. DUKE Purdue Uniuemily Lafayelte, Indiana
Fr6dCic JoliocCurie: His Theories
The M a n and
Pzerre Biguard. Translated by Geoffrey Slrachan. Paul S . Erikswn, Inc., New York, 1966. vi 192 pp. Photographs. 15 X 23 rm. 3.5.
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(Jean) Fr6d6ric Joliot (lYO(t1958) was trained in physics under P a d Langevin and then became personal assirtant to Marie Curie who taught him the techniques of radioactivity. IrAne Curie (1897-1956) was likewise working in her rnat,her's laboratory. She and Joliot were married in IWti, and since the Curies had no sons he added his wife's name to his own so that thi* famow name would not die out. They had two children; a boy and a girl. The Nobel Prize for chemistry was a ~ - a r d e djointly to the JoliotS!uries in 1935 "far their synthesis of new radioactive elements." She, in their collorative work, NRS more concerned with the physical aspeots while he, de.spite his early training, was especially interested in the chemical identification of the r a h active substances. In 1932 they just missed the discovery of the neutron and in 1939 their extremely promising work on the establishment of a, nuclear chain reaction, based on the fission of uranium, was interrupted by the outbreak of World War 11. Their supply of uraninm and heavy water w a s secret,ly shipped to England. "There is little doubt that, had the war not intervened, the world's first self-sostaining r h ~ i l lrextion wodd (Cmlinuerl on page $789)
