book reviews not have spectra. routinely measured or available in the lctboratory) an opportunity to make use of spectroscopic techniques. A small but adequate section on the determination of physical properties, methods of separation and purification, and the theories relating to these techniques proceeds the section on the synthetic sequences. These two sections make for 8. well balanced text on the principles and practice of elementary synthetic organic chemistry, and provide sufficient examples to keep the most industrious of undergraduates busy for at least two years in the average undergraduate laboratory. The remainder of the hook wnsists of 14 pages of spectroscopic methods of identification and structure proof, 27 pages on the identification of organic compounds, snd 12 pages of tables of derivatives. It is apparent from the size of these sections that they are given only s cursory coverage. While the authors state their belief that identification of organic compounds by spectroscopic methods should be introduced in the first organic laboratory course their only a+ tempt to do this, in the section on identification of organic compounds, consists of s page and a paragraph at the end of this section which points out that penicillin had its structure determined by X-ray diffraction techniques and that ir and nmr
A598 / Journal of Chemiccrl Education
spectra. may he used in the identification of a compound of unknown structure.
D. H. DOLPHIN Haward University Cambridge, Mass.OH58 Spectral Exercises in Structural Determination of Organic Compounds
Robert H . Shapiro, Univemity of Colorado, Boulder. Holt, Rinehart, and Winston, Inc., New York, 1969. xi 209 pp. Figs. and tables. 16.5 X 23.5 om. Softbound. $4.95.
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This short book contains, ir, nmr, uv, and mass spectra for 100 compounds. In addition, three sppendices are included. The f i s t appendix gives the molecular formula, the second gives the functional group, and the third the name of the compound. If one is stuck, he is advised to look a t the &st appendix, then attack the problem with this additional information. The second appendix may be used in a similar way, and the third is the court of last appeal. The format of the problems is reminiscent of a question on an hour test or exam. There is s. description of the compound, followed by the four spectra on facing pages. This arrangement makes possible the Xeroxing of such a set of pages for exam questions. Obviously, this book can be used by anyone as a self-study guide in spectral analysis. It should be noted that there is neither discussion of the production of these
spectra nor the analysis of spectra. The student must find this information in some other source, such as Baesler and Silhersteiu, Jaekman, eto. I feel this book has a real place as a supplement to such monographs.
J. D. REINHEIMER College of Wooster Woosler, Ohio Inlroductlon to the Chemistry of Life
Hadand D. Ernbee and Harold J. DeBey, both of Ssn Jose State College, California. Addison-Wesley Publishing Co., Inc., Reading, Massachusetts, 1968. 270 pp. Figs. and tables. 24 X 17 om. $8.95. This book is a, smaller version of an earlier hook "Introduction to Chemistry" which included general chemistry in addition to the organic and biochemistry sections presented in this hook. As stated by the authors in the Preface, this book is intended to serve as an introduction to organic chemistry and biochemistry, and not intended for those msjoring in those fields. In t h t respect this is an exemplary textbook. This book appears admirably suited to the sophomore who plans to enter the health sciences, especially nursing. The book is divided into two parts. Part I deals with the nomenclature and the basic reactions of simple organic compounds. Since a. firm foundation in organic chemistry is essential for a. meaning-
