Periodic Correlations
Ronald Rich, Bethel College, North Newton, Kansas. W. A. Benjamin, Iac., 159 pp. Figs. New York, 1965. xiii and tables. 16 X 23.5 em. Clothbound, $8; paperbound, $3.9.5.
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The descriptive chemistry of the elements aud their compounds would be a n unwieldy collection of facts if i t were not for the similarities and trends in properties which can be discussed within the framework of the periodic table. Discovering these ~imilarit~ies and trends, however, onl5leads to the greater challenge of explaining them in terms of more fundamental properties of the atoms. This task is not as simple as we might lead the beginning student, to imagine, for often a variet,v of factors must be considered and there is always danger of mist,aking the combined effectof several facton for that of a single one. .4 careful examination of periodic correlations might he undertaken then in an upper undergraduate course in inorganic chemistry. For this reason, "Periodic Correlations" is an appropriate addition to the Benjamin series of monographs which may be used as textbooks for an advanced inorganic chemistry course. "Periodic Correll~tions" can he considered in two parts. The first, comprising a little more than half of the book, deals with the fundamental electronic and st,ruatural propert,ies of the atoms; the second is concerned with propert,ies that, in the nards of the author, have more to do with ordinary test-tube chemistry. Discussion of the fundamental properties avoids repetition of observations that are commonly made in more elementary courses, and the topics which are selected for discussion receive more thorough treatment than is generally allotted in textbooks of inorganic chemistry. I n the second part of the book acidity and basicity, redox potentials, color, and reactivity in precipitation and complexation are discussed. Here, again, the discussion goes beyond that allotted in most textbooks of inorganic chemistry, and provides a n inkresting approach to some descriptive a..peperts. The author's discussion of polariaatiou deserves mention, for it is unique in several respects. In discussing the polarizing strengths of cations, be proposes that the "exeeis polarizing strength" of the highly reducible rations found in the middle of the periodic table he measured in terms of the difference between their actual electron affinities and those of noble-gas type cab ions of the same charge and size. In addition, he presents 8. new relationship between molecular polarisability and boiling point which is more general ill application than earlier purely empirical approaches. Some criticism of the publisher's presentation of the material might be made. The book contains several typographical errors, the most serious being in the definition of orbital electronegztivity. The placement of figures in the hook may cause readers some momentary confusion. Far example, one series of figures is distributed over seven pages of interspersed material with bhe number and title of the figure appearing only after t,he final figure. In a useful table of redox pot,entiaLs there is an
error in the spacings which must be counted to establish the oxidat,ion state to which the potential applies. In the same table, the types which have been used for stable and unstable states are difficult to distinguish. In general, "Periodic Correlations" i~ a. earefullv written book. I did find the reading difficult in places, but t h a t may only reflect the complexity of the topic under discussion. I found many new and interesting ideas in this book, and I believe most other readers will too.
given, then the method or methods of preparation, followed,by the calculated analyses and molecular weights (more than a. fourth of these had to be recalculated due t,o errors or sloppiness an the part of original authors!) and exset physical constants where these are known. Abbreviated references to the original literature also are included. I t is quite possible (and much to be hoped) that the register could he kept up t,o date by future extensions. I t should he emphasized that this entire threevolume work is not a translation of ROBERTE. FROST some previous book, hut that the original University of ZUinois text as published simultaneously by the Urban0 Czechoslovak Academy of Sciences and Academic Press has appeared in just one language a t the outset-English. Only in this way, the authors and publishers felt, could they enjoy wide enough acceptance and usage to make the project worthwhile. Organosilicon Compounds. Volume 1 This reviewer has expressed in public and Volume 2, Patis 1 and 2 and in print his wish t,hat along with the welcome hut specialized hooks an silicone Vhdimk Baknt, el al. Academic Press, polymers and organosilicon reactions, Inc., New York, 1965. Figs. and tables. someone would s t last publish a definitive 17 X 24.5 cm. Vol. 1, 616pp. Vol. 2, book that would survey the entire field of part 1, 699 pp; part 2, 544 pp. $70 organasilicon chemistry up to and into the specid price when ordering complete 1960's. Here it is. In view of the nix set; $25 for each separate book. and duration of the effort,, the reader will understand why the job could not have Professor Baiant and his eight been done in this country. We have the colleagues labored for a full decade to energy and persistence of Professor produce this remarkable work, the first Baiant to thank for its having been done fully comprehensive survey of organosiliat all. The work is essential to research con eompounds and their reactions to people in the field of organosilicon appear outside of the "Gmelin Hsndchemistry, in the sense that without it buch." Unlike Gmelin, this hook prethey would needs. great many other books sents a readable, coherent account of the (even more expensive ones) and much behavior of all the known types of organomore time to use them. silicon substances, as well as listing all of the reported pure eompounds (and a good many ones still unpublished) together with all the information about their preparation, snslyses, and physical properties. Further unlike Gemlin, the informstion herein is complete through September 1961 and is reasonably Gmelins Handbuch der Anorganischen thorough right up to the time of printing. Chemie. 8. Auflage, System Nummer Volume 1 by Baiant, V&elav Chva16, Phosphor. Teil C, Die Verbindungen lovskj., and JiPi Rethouskp, is devoted der Phosphors entirely to the chemistry of organosilicon Edited by E. H. E. Pietseh and the compounds. I t starts with a. discussion of Gmelin Institute. Verlag Cbemie, siliron and its bonding properties, the GMBH, Weinheim/Bergst,rasse, 1965. physical properties of organosilicon comxlvii 642 pp. Figs. aud tables. pounds, and the general reactions of eom17.5 X 25.5 em. $148. pounds containing silicon bonded t o halogens, oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen, etc. This is the last volume of Gmelin's It then takes up all of the methods for 8th edition devoted to phosphorus. I t synthesizing organwilicon compounds, covers the compounds of phosphorus with with s, critical analysis of each, and prohydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, the halogens, ceeds t,o reactions of the carbon-functional the ehalcogens, boron, carbon, and silicon. substances and the behavior of the various Only carbon compounds which contain types of carbon-silicon bonds. Througbno C-H honds are included; silicon comout the discuvsion polymers are conpounds are also limited t,o those containing sidered along with pure monomeric subno C-H bonds. stances. These compounds are distinguished by Volume 2, in two parts, by all nine the ability of phosphorus to form polyauthors (BaZant, Chvalovskp, Rathousk*, mers. Studies of the P - 4 - P and Josef Benes, Stanislav Jirinec, Jaroslav P-N-P honds reveal chain and ring Joklik, Mirko Kadlec, Oldrich Kruchna, structures in many compounds. This and Karel Setinek), consists of a register polymerizing property of phosphorus proof all the known organosilicon compounds vides a vast number of interesting comtogebher with a, great many inorganic pounds and offers a u opportunity far compounds of silicon which are important further research. in this field of work. The compounds are arranged in the order of increasing camJ. V. D. plexity of their empirical formulas. For (Conlinued on page A854) each compound a st,ruetural formula is
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