book reviews Photochemistry. Studies in Modern Chemistry
R. R. Cundall, University of Nottingham and A. Gilbert, University of Reading. Thomas Nelson and Sons, Ltd, London. Distributed in the U.S. by Crane, Russak & Company, Inc., New York, 1975. 220 pp. Figs. and tables. 22.5 X 14 cm. $7.50.
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This is the latest text in a series of monographs that are "meant t o provide advanced students with books that will bridge the gap between standard textbook and the research paper." Several features of "Photochemistry" fulfill this objective very nicely. I t is a wellwritten text, with very clear discussions of the subject matter and generously illustrated. This provides an interesting and attractive introduction t o photochemistry. There are 11 chapters covering an "Introduction" t o photochemical terminology and then progressing through "Processes involving excited atoms" (Chapter 21, "Phatoehemistry of simple molecules" (Chapter 31, "Absorption of light.. (Chapter 41 and the singlet (Chapter 51 and triplet (Chapter 6) states of polyatomic molecules. T h e remaining five chapters discuss photochemical processes for polyatomic molecules according t o reaction types. Topics discussed are dissociation (Chapter I ) , photoaddition
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version systems (discussed briefly in the final (Chapter 81, rearrangements (Chapter 91, chapter of the present book) is certain t o a t substitution (Chapter 101, and oridationtract new investigators to this difficult but reduction (Chapter 11) reactions. intriguing field. Thus, a new book describing This text is the most recent in a series of the state of t h e a r t in the mid-1970's is useful introductory photoehemistry texts t o appear and timely. and it is the best written one. I t compares T h e book consists of ten chapters, each favorably with Turro's "Molecular Phatowritten by different authors. As anticipited, chemistry" which this reviewer feels is the the chapters vary widely in utility and scope. best. Unfortunately, neither the book by T h e editors appear to have exercised ercepCundall and Gilbert nor the earlier text by tional care t o minimize the customary probTurro is an up-to-date review of current relems of overlapping coverage and inconsistent search in photoehemistry. Citations in the terminology and symbolism between chapbook under review cover the literature nrleters: this is one of the "best-edited" mulqu:*telv mly t h n w h l!lWl t'l'lwr~ t * only m e tiauthar books I have encountered. IllX rcfrwnrr.!Althg oyn i t i* mcdnt I ~ t a~ly m m e t r i.~ ,not in systematics of luminesli.wr.11 ;a!cqt~:itciy.l'hr I l . u o r - X i t ~ ~ ~ ~ l + ~ rthe ~ ~ ~differences il~~ cence processes between metal complexes w t t l ~ dtor .t11\.m:: these prl>hlrm
