book reviews Editor: W . F. KIEFFER College of Woorter Woo%+er,Ohio
Source Book in Chemistry, 190C-1950
Edited by Henry A{. Leicester, University of the Pacific. Harvard University Press, Cambridge, Mass., 1968. 408 pp. Figs. and tables. 16 xvii X 24 cm. $11.93.
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Today the classics of science, like the Bible and Shakespeare, are more often quoted than read, but this has not always been true. Goethe recognized that "The history of science is science itself," and Kekul6 spent much time reading the classics of chemistry before making any scientific contributions of his own. As the volume of chemical literature and the number of journals has grown, however, chemists have come more and more to rely upon reviews and abstracts instead of reading the original papers. I n sharp contrast to the situation in the humanities, the average chemisbry major graduating today uofortunately has little understanding or regard for the history of his subject. The collection under consideration here, translated, edited, and with commentary hy Henry M. Leicester, includes either in their entirety or in part, 91 classic papers by 123 aubhors "in all branches of chemistry-papers upon which contemporary research and practices are based." A continuat,ion of i n d companion volume to Leicester and Klickstein's "A Source Book in Chemirtry, 1400-1900" (Harvard University Press, 1952), an indispensible, standard work now in its fourth printing, this latest effort of Prof. Leicester will undoubtedly be greeted with the same acclaim met with hv its ~redecessor.for i t possesses all of the earlier volume's advantages and none of its shortcomings. ~
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-Reviewed
I n comparison with the earlier volume, the new work serves as a veritable mirror reflecting the trends characteristic of twentieth century scienee-the increasing pace of research (91 papers and 408 pp. for half a century versus 133 papers and 554 pp. for a time span ten times as great); the growth of multiple authorship (all the selections in the first volume were by single authors); the support of foundations (Rockefeller Foundation and the Research Corporation in the isolation of neptunium); the classified status of much research (the letter announcing the discovery of plutonium was received on January 28, 1941 hut was withheld from publication until 1946); the rapid diffusion of knowledge and application of discoveries (the use in 1935 by Schaenheimer and Rittenberg of denterium, discovered by Urey in 1932 and originally a hhorstory curiosity, to investigate the dynamic equilibrium existing among hody fats); and the increasing role of nuclear science (the papers by the Joliot-Curies, Hahn, Strassmann, Meitner, Seaborg, McMillm, and Fermi's patent, which served as a basis for the production of the first atomic bomb, are all here). A paramount characteristic of our age is the increasing emphasis on quantification. Inasmuch as Prof. Leicester '!hoped that these selections will he of value in years to come to the general historian of chemistry or, mare widely, of science," he avoided selections that are dmost entirely mathematical such as the original papers of Debye and Hiickel or Heitler and London. Instead, he wisely chose their later works, which "explain the ideas behind the mathematical symbolism." Essential mathematics, of course, are included.
in this Issue
Hawy M . Leicesler, editor, Source Book in Chemistry, 1900-1950 Leo H. Spinar, College Chemistry Donald C. Gregg, Principles of Chemistry Edward M . Kosower, An Introduction to Physical Organic Chemistry
..,187 . .,188 ...I88
. . .A192
Robert B. Fischer and Dennis G. Peters, Quantitative Chemical Analysis ...A196 . . .A201 T. A . Geissman, Principles of Organic Chemistry Alan R. Kalrilzky and J . M . Lagowski, The Principles of Heterocyclic .. . A201 Chemistry Robert L. Flurry, Jr., Molecular Orbital Theories of Bonding in Organic ...A204 Molecules .A212 P . L. Corio, Structure of High-Resolution NMR Spectra A212 New Volumes in Continuing Series
.. ...
Unlike the previous volume, this one is divided into parts-I. Techniques (62 pp.), 11. Cieneral and Physical Chemistry (185 pp.), 111. Organic Chemistry (56 pp.), and IV. Biochemistry (78 pp.)each of which is subdivided into sections, within which the selections are arranged chronologically. The first part more than adequately compensates for a criticism leveled against the first volume, viz., "a lack of attention to analytical chemistry" (Isis, 44, 84 [1953]). The selections range in length from one paragraph (Seaborg, Wahl, and Kennedy-lladioactive Element 94 from Deuterons on Uranium) to eleven pages (W. H. and W. L. BraggThe Reflection of X-Rays by Crystals). The growing interdependence of the different branches of chemistry and even of different sciences that was one of the outstanding characteristics of the first half of the twentieth century is admirably illustrated in this volume. For example, the technical developments of separation and microanalysis (Part I ) made i t possible to isolate and study natural products (Parts I11 and IV), Furthermore, physics and physical chemistry (Part 11) were rapidly applied to organic compounds (Parts I11 and IV). A form of one-upmanship practiced by reviewers of collections is to attack the selection of p a p r s and to list omitted works that they consider sine qua nons. The temptation to do this here is greater than uwal, since for the period in question we possess a supposedly international absolute criterion far excellence in chemistry-the Nobel Prizes, which began to he awarded in 1901. Prof. Leicester passes this test with flying cdors, for his selections include as aut,hors 29 Nobelists, and only a half-dozen or so Nobel laureates (19011950) whose major work was performed in the twentieth century are missing. Also included, and this underscores the interdependence of the sciences, are cont,rihutions by Nobel laureates in physics (W. H. and W. 1,. Bragg, van Laue, Fermi, and SegrP) and in medicine and physiology (Krehs, Lipmann, Warburg, and C. F. Cori). The only omissions obvious to this reviewer are Rutherford's theory of t,he nuelear atom (1911) , . and Moselev's derivation of atomic numbers from X-ray spectra (1913-1914). I t is particulssly stimulating for chemistry students, whose intellectual diet consists l m ~ e l yof textbooks, to read of famous discoveries in the original words of the discoverers, especially since Prof. Leicester has included "wherever possible, statements by the authors of why they chose to do what they did." This information about motivation is u s d l y lacking in textbooks. Thus the imaginative instructor will find excellent supplementary reading suitable for general chemistry courses among the selections by Sgrcnsen (pH), Fajam and Soddy (radioactive transformations), Richards and Aston (isotopes), Kossel, Lewis, and Langmuir (atomic structure), Latimer and Rodehush (the hydrogen bond), Sidgwick (the cnordinate bond), Van Vleek (quantum mechanics), Brmsted (conjugate acids and bases), and Bjerrum and Debye (strong electrolytes). Far advanced courses, this list could nsturally he expanded. This attrsctive, readable vol-
Volume 46, Number 3, Morch 1969
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187
chapter 6 the wave function and the Sohroedinger equxtion have been added, although the definition of @ is not as precise a? it might be. The material on bonding has hoen expanded into two chapters, one on ionic compo~mds(chapter 81, which includes the relation of radius Gr:onw: B. K1UFFM IN ratio to crystal stroctllre and a discussion Calijomza Slate College of water sol~~bilities (from former chapter Fresno, Calif. 85726 17), and a second on covalent compounds (ehnpt,ev I(), which among other topics treats the electron pair repulsion, valence bond, and molecnlllar orbital theories. The chapters on oxidst,ion-reduction, acids and bases, the gaseous state, the College Chemistry have liquid and solid states, and aol~~tions been moved forward in the book and have Leo H . Spinar, South Dakota State now become chapters 10-14. Important University, Brookings. Scott, Foresrevisions in this part of the book include man and Company, Glenview, Illinois, omission of the concept of equivalent 1968. xiv 448 pp. Figs. and tables. weight from the chapt,er on oxidation16 X 23.5 cm. $8.50. rednetion and a complete restnrctoring A major problem of contemporary of tho material on acids and bases. Equicollege coumes in scientific disciplines lies librium calndations for acid-base reacin presenting significant theoretical COP tions are now part of chapter 21 on chemcepts in such a manner t,hst the student ical equilibrium, and complex inorganic will find identity with the problems or molecnles, formerly discussed under the appreciation of the results. Very few heading of acids and bases, are now treated texthooks designed for the liberal arts separately in chapter 25, which includes GLORIAG. LYLE several interezting concepts from modern major answer this purpose, and unforUniversity of New Hampshire tunately, "College Chemistry'' by L. IT. inorganic chemistry. Other new chapt,ers Durham 05824 Spinav is equally unsuccemful. The preof note are chapter 20 on the noble gases, sentation of a challenge to comprehension chapter 22 on ehemicd energetics (therrequires n, rational and stepwise approach. modynamics), which probably has more Too many facts and ideas will smother eqnzt,ions +,ha" most students will accept Principles of Chemistry even an enthusiast's diligence. While happily withont proof or justification, non-science majors may be receptive to and chapter 30 on derivatives of the Donald C. Gregg, Universit,~ of Vermont, chemistry, they will reject a factual rehydrocarhona, which rontaini very brief Burlingt,on. 3rd ed. Allyn and Bacon, counting of physical and chemical proptreatments of ir and nmr spect,roscopy. Inc., Boston, Massachusetts, 1968. xvi erties of mat,ter which demands little Unfort~mately, the hook is not free 717 pp. Figs. and tables. 17 X deductive reasoning or shows little relefrom error. Besidcs heing incorreet,ly 23 em. Trade 812.65, text $0.50. vance to t,he modern world. identified as a fraction of the total numher This hook is int,ended for the student The organization of the text (20 c h a p of molecules rather than as a probability with little background in chemistry and ters) is somewhat different and the author dehsit,y, the expression on page 283 for includes presentations of &mic theory, has wisely introduced water as the first the Maxwell-Boltmnann distribution of material for discussion (Chapter 2). The chemical symbols and equations, and rnolec~~lnr speeds lacks a factor of uZ, so atomic structure. Akhaugh the experinature of gnues, periodic law, solut,ions that st,udents will unsuccessf~dlyattempt mental evidence for om present underand eolligstive properties combine a to correlate the equation wit,h the graph standing of atomic structure in described, discussion of physical properties and equaon the next page. Furthermore, following much of t,he basis for the more fundations with t,ypes of matter. This is folthe eqnntion there is a statement t,hat the mental aspects of chemical science is lowed by t,he structurc of the atom and numher of molecules having high speeds omitted or mentioned only briefly, probrelated topics, noble gases, active metitls, decremes with increasing t,emperatnre. ably in the interest of consewing space. chemicnl eqnilihriom, and redox rencJust the opposit,e is t n ~ e . On pages 8-10 For example, the reader is not made aware and again on page 274 t,he author comes tions. Tho remainder of the text i deof t,he fact that in order t o construct an v d e d to descriptive chemistry of the dangerously close to implying that heat atomic weight scale one must know both elements (six chapters) and of organic and is a property of a syst,em. ("Tho kineticthe formulas and the compositions of hiochemist,ry. molecular theory wsume3 that molecular compounds. The chemists of the early motion and heat are identical.") In the The illt~st,ratians are frequently of nineteenth century of course knew the better design than the artist's portrayal. derivation of the De Rroglie wsvelcnglh on latter but had a. difficult time with the Perhaps the most serious error is in the page 78, c simnltanea,~slystands for the former. velocity of light and the particle velocity. tetrahedral carbon atom (p. 348) where In common with a numher of recent the perspective is wrong. A numher of The problem of a double meaning for a texts, t,he book devotes a good one-half symhol crops up again on page 2RR, where other errors makes some sections difficult of its pages to physical chemical printo follow. Among these is (.he garbled N is Avogndro's nnmbcr and is also equal ciples and t,hc remainder to the chemistry to nnit,y (one mole). This error then sentence s t the bottom of page 20 dealing of t,he elements, inelrtding two chapters leads l o an incorrect relationship h e t y e n with boiling lemperature versos pressure. entropy and thermodynamic prohah~l~ty, The equivalent weight of oxygen is ~ t a t e d on organic ehemistry. Chapt,ers 1-14 are concerned with principles and c h ~ p t e r s S = R, In TIr. On page 483 t,he tendency as 1.008 g (p. 341, and the designal.ian 15-20 with descriptive chemistry of some of an electrochemical cell to operate sponof n. for na (p. 111) and 3.57 X lo-" of the non-metals, followed by additional rather than 10" (p. 161) are other errors. taneously is eorrelatcd with the sign of chapters of each kind. AH for the cell reaction. Since the reader There are Rome confusing discussions Thia new edition differs significantly has already heen introd~~eed to the Gihhs such as the legend to Fig. 7.7 (p. 137) and from the second, which was reviewed in the discussion of hydrogen bonding relafree energy, it might he heitel. to use AG. 3. CHEM. EDUC.40, 669 (1963). Some On balance, the hook is average in n tive to ammonia and the ammonium ion rewriting has occurred in chapters which field already crowded with tests. ( p 130). Analysis of typical problems t,hroughout, retain theit. formel. organization, and problems a t the ends of chapters have the book is quite good. The problems a t been revised extensively. In chapter 2 th'e ends of the ehnplers are sufficient, of the definition and discussion of the mole good variehy, and moderate difficndty. has hem improved considerably, and in The liberal arts majors using a text
nme, then, will not only interest the historian of chemistry hut will also be useful as a valuable supplement for today's texts, most of which unfortunat,ely have lit,t,le spnec available for t,hehistorical dimension of ehemistry.
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such as this will become the lawyers, polit,icians, businessmen, and housewives who will govern the future development of science. An appreciation of chemintry as a pure and yet extraordinarily practical discipline is more essent,ial today than ever before, Typical of the book's failure to convey these ideas is the introduction t,o organic and biochemistry which contains too many facts and details. Unless t,here is a great deal of time devoted to these two chapters, the student will see little relationship between the a and 6 linkages of disaccharides and their h i e chemical significance or he will surely find i t impossible to fallow the camplex steps of the Krebs cycle, utilization of glucose, or helical structure of DNA. Tho overall organisat,ion provides a different approach to the initial survey of chemistry. I t is unfort,unnte that t,he development of the topics was too factual and uninspired. The attempt to include all things in order to ilppod l o all people is seldom successful, while discrimi~rntory selection among the ahundant topics of ehemistry wodd have improved this text.
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188 / Journal of Chemical Education
