understanding of hiosynthotic paths. The isolation in 1953 from yeast of tmnsketolase and trans-aldolase provided new tools for studying monosaccharide transformations. These enzymes capable of transferring reversibly the "dihydroxyacetonyl" radiral and glycolyl radical also p1a.v a part in fixing carbon dioxide as phosphyglyceronic a e ~ dduring photasynthesis. The table of the forty odd monosaccharides occurring in nature, either free or combined. would be useful for t,he nonspeeiitlist reeding almost any section of the hook. ~~~. ..~~. Included in Volume 11 is an account of the life and work of Kurt H. Meyer (18831952) written by one of his students, R. W. Jeanloa. Much of his attention in his later years was devoted to enzymes and protein hormones. Professor Meyer's contributions to the understanding of the vnriations in the properties of starches from various sources are documented in the discussion of Aspects of the Physical Chemistry of Starch. ~
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MILDRED R. NEWLIN Qnem8 C o ~ & ~ a s
F ~ n s m ~NEW a . YORE
THE CHEMISTRY OF ORGANOMETALLIC COMPOUNDS
Eugene G. Rochow, Department of Chemistry, Harvard University; Dollos T. Hurd, General Electric Co.; Richard N. Lewis, Olin Mathieson Chemical Corp. John Wiley & Sans, Inc., New York, 1957. vi 344 pp. 15.5 X 23.5 cm. $8.50.
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FOLLOWING a logically conceived and carefully planned approach to orgmometallic chemistry, the authors of thia book have produced a unique and highly readable text. No special familiarity with the subject on the part of the reader is presupposed. The four summarizing chapters on trends in properties of organometallic compounds, the theory of csrhonmetal bonding, preparative methods, and uses of organometallies in organic synthesis will he of particular value to students and others seeking a general familiarity with the field. The hulk of the hook comprises chapters covering the chemistry of orgmometallic compounds by periodic groups. The treatment is selective rather than exhaustive. Physical properties of compounds are wisely presented in tabular form a t the end of each sertion. Unfortunately, these tables and the accompanying bibliographies very greatly in their completeness. Furthermore, the depth of the coverage varies somewhat from one chapter to another, and in places the treatment of the material is so general that to some it will seem oversimplified. However, the quality of the writing is generally good, and the presentation is always straightforward. Just s. few months ago another book was published covering the same branch of chemistry: Coated "Organometallic Compounds." (see W. C. Fernelius, J. CHEM. (Continued on page A556) JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL EDUCATION
Eouc., 34,208 (1957)). The nearly simultaneous appearance of the first such books to be published in two decades invites a comparison between them. T h e two books seem to be complementary rather than competitive. I n conbrast to the book under review, Coates' scholarly monograph treats the subjcct in s. highly descriptiveway, withemphasis onthe p r e p aration of specific compounds. (h'ot only do the two hooks differ in thcir theoretical and pedagogical approach, but even orcssionally in minor matters of fact. For example, on page 138 of Rochow, Hnrd, and Lewis one finds that indium alkyla d o not form stable addition compounds with ammonia, a statement which i~ contradicted on page 94 of Coxtcs. Similarly, Coates claims on page 57 that triallrylborons are not coordinated by ether, while the apposite would seem to be true accordingto page129 of the bookpres ently under review.) Both books will be useful ta the specialist, hut the book by Roohow, Hurd, and Lewis would be this reviewer's choice as a text for an advanced course or for independent reading by persons unacquainted with the field. 4 s usual, the British publishers have the advantage pricewise, this time by a factor of 3.4 t o 1. ROBERT WEST U ~ , v e s s , r ro* Wlaoolrsrrr M*D,~ON, Wleco~sru
THERMODYNAMICS, AN ADVANCED TREATMENT FOR CHEMISTS AND PHYSICISTS
E. A. Guggenheim, Professor of Chemistry, University of Reading. Third edition. Volume I1 in the Series in Physics. North-Holland Publishing Co.. Amsterdam; Intemoience Publishers, Ino., New York, 1957. xxiii 476 pp. 40 figs. 21 tables. 1S X 23 cm. $9.75.
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THISthird edition differs from t,he carlier ones in two major aspects. I n tho first place, the material an mixtures and solubions has been rearranged such as to avoid a certain amount of repetition in derivations. Secondly, a brief chapter has been i~icludeddealing with Onsager's reciprocal relations, whieh play such an important part in the thermodynamics of irreoersible processes. This is x relatively new branch of science of growing importance. Otherwise there are numerous corrections and minor changes, whieh are mostly improvements. Thus we note, for example, that the term "regular solutions" has been restored to its original mmoaning (due to Hildebrand), while s. new name, "simple mixtures," is introduced for solutions with a special freeenergyof mixing relationship, to which Guggenheim pays much attention. This definitelp is an advanced Be& ment, although the author claims in his preface that "much of it should bc naefnl to undergraduates intending to specialize in ph.vsica1 chenristry." This reviewor is of the opinion that only advanced graduate students in this field will he able to follow a discussion whieh makes frequent use of (Continued on page A558) JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL EDUCATION
