858
NEW BOOES
matters, etc.) from gases and liquids (drying and desulfurizing of gases; purification of water; refining of glycerol, of oils, resins, etc.). Valuable vapors are regained or isolated by adsorption; explosive gases such a s acetylene are stabilized when adsorbed in mixture with acetone; adsorption processes are used in refrigerators. Krzil’s book is clearly and concisely written. It adheres staunchly to ita title; stress is mainly laid upon the technical devices used in these processes. Theory is treated very briefly, but correctly. The question which is most important in technical application can not yet be answered from a theoretical point of view; too little is known about the causes of the specific behavior of adsorbehts and adsorbed substances. H. FREUNDLICH. Lehrbuch der physikalischen Chemie. By K. JELLIXEK. Band V, Lieferung 2. 25 x 16 cm.; pp. 289-576. Stuttgart: F. Enke, 1935. Price: 27 RM. The present section of this well-known work deals with the photoelectric effect, positive rays, the structure of the nucleus, spectra, and radioactivity. The theory of spectra is brought into relation with the Periodic System. The discussion of spectra is based on the Bohr-Sommerfeld theory, and full deductions of mathematical equations, including the necessary analytical geometry, are given. The wave-mechanical treatment is not included. The section on nuclear physics is divided into two parts, the latest results being given separately a t the end of the book. The section of spectra also includes x-ray spectra and crystal structure. The whole treatment is very clear, and the average student of physical chemistry would have no difficulty in following the author through some rather difficult parts of the subject. Presumably some account of wave-mechanical methods will be given in a later section dealing with molecule formation. The last few pages deal with the structure of molecules and stereochemistry. The general character of the book is maintained, and the present section is a very readable and intelligible account which should make an appeal to physical chemists. J. R. PARTINGTOK. Textbook of Quantitative Inorganic Analysis. By I. M. KOLTHOFF and E. B. SANDELL. 51x9 in.; 749 pp.; 116 figures. New York: The Rilacmillan Company, 1936. Price: $4.50.
This textbook of quantitative analysis from the hand of such a distinguished contributor in the field of analytical chemistry as Professor Kolthoff, who for many years has also been a successful teacher, is certain t o prove immediately attractive to a great many teachers of the subject. The work covered is presented under the following heads: Stoichiometry. Gravimetric Analysis: Theoretical, Practical, Gravimetric Determinations, Volumetric Analysis: Theoretical, Practical, Volumetric Determinations. Physicochemical Methods. Analyses of Complex Materials (Brass, Steel, Silicate Rocks). It concludes with a very brief appendix containing tables of specific gravity of acids and ammonia and a table of four-place logarithms. It will be noticed that the outline above returns to the older practice of giving gravimetric determinations before volumetric. In the opinion of this reviewer, the most noteworthy feature of the text is the highly successful manner in which theory and practice have been blended together. The sections on the mass action law and its application to strong and weak electrolytes, dissociation of water, hydrolysis of salts, buffer solutions, the solubility product principle, common ion effect, and complex ion formation are particularly lucid. It was to be expected that the chapters on the formation and properties of precipitates and coprecipitation phenomena, covering contamination of precipitates, ad-
NEW BOOKS
859
sorption, digestion, aging, etc., would be among the strongest in a test by Professor Kolthoff. All that need be said is that these are up to expectation. In addition to the separate sections on these highly important theoretical aspects of quantitative analysis, there occur in the appropriate places throughout the text many applications of these principles to the particular analytical procedures under consideration. On the other hand the authors have laid great stress throughout the procedures on the importance of careful and accurate laboratory technique and the avoidance of experimental errors. A field to which the senior author has given major attention both in research and as a teacher is that of acid-base indicators, and the section devoted to this subject is admirably done, including a n excellent theoretical discussion, many examples of titration curves from experimental data in accompanying tables, a fairly complete table of common indicators with their color change pH interval, methods of preparation of indicator solutions, use of mixed indicators, etc. The section on physicochemical methods, including potentiometric and conductometric titrations, colorimetry, and spectrophotometry is a welcome addition. Several laboratory procedures on colorimetry, for the determination of ammonia, ferric iron, and silica, with the use of the Duboscq colorimeter, are included. The theory of potentiometric and conductometric titrations is very thoroughly discussed. I t is strange that no analytical determinations making use of these methods are outlined, since there are many applications of both these methods which do not involve prohibitively complicated or expensive apparatus. The theory of adsorption indicators is given comprehensive treatment, and several titrations are outlined which make use of this method for obtaining end points. The authors are apparently quite willing to take the field almost single-handed in defense of the rather nice distinction between the use of the terms “iodimetry” and “iodometry.” The volume is a distinctive addition to the library of quantitative analysis. No instructor in the subject will wish to be without it. C. H. SCHIFLIETT.
+
Inorganic Chemistry. By N. BJERRUM, translated by R. P. Bell. 22 x 14 om.; x 317 pp. London: W. Heinemann, 1936. Price: 7s.6d. In a foreword to this volume Professor F. G. Donnan states that this book is the finest introduction to modern chemical science that he has read. This is very high praise indeed. It will be generally agreed that no modern textbook dealing with inorganic chemistry can afford to ignore the profound influence exerted by developments in physical chemistry. In the present volume the skillful weaving of the theoretical aspects of inorganic chemistry with the very important descriptive parts of the subject calls for the highest praise, whilst the sections dealing with the modernized theory of acids and bases and the associated subject of ionization and reaction in solution make delightful reading. There is, however, one notable omission from the book. No reference is made to the crystal structure of the mineral silicates. Silicon occupies in mineral chemistry the same important position that carbon holds in organic chemistry, and the structure of the silicates is now as fully established as the molecular structure of any organic compound. Incidentally the model given in this book of the diamond crystal lattice (figure 14, p. 163) does not show the structure to the best advantage. However, whilst these are matters of opinion there can be only one opinion on the book-it is a highly reliable and most stimulating work which will be widely read by chemists. Mr. R. P. Bell has given us a fine translation, which is published in a most attractive form. W. WARDLAW.
