book reviews and useful approximation for thin absorbers of concentration proportionality for intensity is first mentioned much later, in a chapter entitled "Analytical Applications." Although the line-shape formula is given in an early chapter, the fact that peak area is a useful analytical parameter, more linear with concentration than intensity, is not discussed. Three chapters are devoted to structure and bonding studies, divided neatly into molecular and electronic structure, diamagnetic and paramagnetic comp~unds.Example eases are considered which show the unique information Miissbauer spectra provide. Separate chapters are given to oxides, allays and intermetallics, and to biological systems. Other chapters concern impurity and decay after-effects and dynamic effects. The latter contains a good summary of relaxation studies, uncommon to an introductory text. This reviewer missed seeing some conversion tables in the hook, especially isomer shift conversions between various sources. The SI unit of Tesla is used throughout the book for magnetic flux density, but a conversion to the more popular Gauss is buried in the text on p 110.' About eight typographical errors were found, the only serious one being asubstitution of = for - in the equation for A m , on p 96. The book is in general quite readable, and is recommended as a comprehensive introduction to the chemical aspects of Mksbauer spectroscopy. 'Since the Mh-ssbauer literature is confusing in its use of the terms flux density, R , and internal field, H (numerically equal in the older units, Gauss and Oersted), it would have been helpful if Gibb discussed this point. His usage of R in Tesla is the accepted one by IUPAC. Lawrence H. Bowen North Carolina State University Raleigh. North Carolina 27607
Thermometric Titrations
J . Rorthel, University of Regensburg, Germany, with R. Wachter, University of Regensburg. John Wiley & Sons, New York, 1975. xi 209 pp. Figs. and tables. $19.95.
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The book consists of nine chapters: General Introduction, Theoretical Basis for an Analysis of Thermograms, Methods of Thermometric Titration, Acid-Base Titrations in Aqueous Solutions, Titrations in Nonaqueaus Solvents, Thermometric Precipitation Titration, Thermometric Redox Titrations, Formation of Compounds and Complexes, Problems of Complexometric Titration, Instrumentation in Titration Calorimetrv. The final chaoter is authored bv Professor ~ u d o l p h~ a c h i e r . The book is suitable both as an excellent reference source and as a text for courses dealing with thermometric titration techniques. The author has reviewed the various aspects of thermometric titration thoroughly from the theoretical aspect to its application to a wide range of chemical problems. Newer techniques including direct injection enA48 I Journal of Chemical Education
thalpimetry (DIE) and thermometric enthalpy titration (TET) are well covered and documented. Numerous examples are given of the application of the.method to a wide variety of chemical and physical systems. The hook is not without fault however. In the chapter on lnstrumentation inTitration Calorimetry, Fig. 9.9 is upside down, Fig. 9.11 is completely out of date, and on page 185, a precision titration calorimeter is described in detail as an example of a system of instrumentation but this calorimeter has not been described in the literature (reference is to a paper in preparation). Many excellent titration calorimeters have been described in the literature which have produced proven reliable data and it issurprising that an unknown and untested instrument is described in such
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In general, however, the book will make a valuahle reference source and teaching aid to those wanting to know more or those active in the field of thermometric titration. Reed M. Iran Brigham Young University Provo, Utah 84602
The Practice of NMR Spectroscopy With Spectra-Structure Correlations lor
Nugrnt F. Chamberloin, EXXON Research and Engineering, Ca., Texas. Plenum Press, New Yark, 1974. xxiv + 424 pp. Figs. and tables. 22 X 28.5 cm. $29.50. This is a major compendium on proton high resolution nmr spectroscopy written for the working chemist by a working chemist, Nueent Chamberlain of EXXON'S Analvtieai Research 1,aboratary. Most books a n spectroscopy (or almost any other area of chemistry and physics) are written on a scholarly level with little genuine "hands on" information about taking and interpreting a spectrum. On the contrary, this book is immersed in the practice of high resolution cw nmr spectroscopy and unlike many authors, Chamberlain has not lost sight of the beginner's predicament: How do you get into nmr, take spectra, and interpret them if you know little about the field? The first 115 pages consist of an explanation of how nmr speetroscopy is done with such practical information as how to estimate the integral from overlapping lines, or how does radiation damping affect your spectrum and what can you do about it. All of the discussion on spectral interpretation is based on first-order > p e < t r , ,md ~ r m - u r d e r a p p r s ~ i i n u t i c mt~n ~ n t r ~ p r c t i nhighcrurdcr g ipectra. This ii 1 d l u n 4 t)? .'H 1 [m~?. of cwrelatitm d u r 1 3 , typical spectra, and references, making this an unusually useful "handbook" of proton nmr spectral interpretation. Extensive data based on 10,000 compounds, 24.000 chemical shifts, and 400 typical spectra are presented, including the conditions under which they have been taken. To make the hook even more useful, different sections are easily located (at least until the pages get too dirty) hy a grey stripe along the edge of the page. The author assumes that you have a high resolution cw spectrometer in front of you and merely want to obtain a good spectrum (Continued on page A521
book reviews and interpret that spectrum in terms of molecular structure. It does not discuss pulse or Fourier transform nmr techniques, so if you wish to learn about solvent peak supression, resolution enhancement techniques, or relaxation measurements, this book will not helo vou. Nor does this volume make clear thr'dktinruon betwcm 7.1 and T>orexplnin what I he advantugc~art! ~ lukinr: f a sprrrrum at high field. Surprisingly thew BSno mention of double resonance techniques such as decoupling, spin tickling, or INDOR. Nor does it discuss instrumentation as such. As a result, no guidance is offered on what type of snectrometer or caoabilities vou mieht need the compound present, while excluding more sophisticated molecular information and nmr tt~.l>niques, 15 it* grwale;l \\eakne.i> I t I$ hnrd tocompsre this wlurne withany othrr-it ic,rnrs clt,sr*t in flnhur to ROYHible's ["Interpretation of NMR spectra," Plenum Press, New York, I9651 hut is far more extensive and forms a nice up-to-date companion volume to such texts as Edwin Becker's ["High Resolution NMR," Academic Press, New York, 19691 or F. A. Bovey,'s ["NMR Spectroscopy," Academic Press, New York, 19681.This volume is ideally suited to breaking in new nmr spectrometer technicians and should be in every high resolution lab where proton work is done. In fact, the only thing overlooked is a lanyard shackle mounted on the binding so that it could be chained to the spectrometer.
One hopes for a companion volume on 13C nmr. Stephen B. W. Roeder San Diego State University San Diego. California 92182
plications (of polymers), Barrier Polymers, Nonwoven Fahries and Polymer Coatings; and ecology such as Controlled Photodegradation (of polymers). This diversity is a fitting illustration of the diversity of contributions made by Herman F. Mark for which the volume is dedicated. Of nwpasity there is no attempt to eowr topics cxhau,tivrlg. The topics are generally wrll dweloptd prrmitung chemist. chemical engineers, etc. with a minimum of experience with polymer science to grasp the important facts involved with the topics, though several topics appeared undernourished and because of quite recent advances should he dealt with in another forthcoming supplement. Within the latter is included "Polymer-Supported Catalysts." Titles of several topics are broader than the actual coverage. Far instance the entry "Conformation and Configuration" is actually (largely) a report of theoretical advances but does contain reference to same exoerimental results. The tooic "vinyl chluride"ls iml) sow pnrngrsph rrfsrence alerting the reader to ILF ~ a l m ut n~versally known) toxicity. Goad, helpful subheadings allow the reader to quickly locate what and where information is presented. Adequate, positive references t o the "Encyclopedia" are made. Liberal, useful industrial applications are noted throughout most of the topics. This is not a hook for everyone-because of its cost. I t is recommended for industrial and academic institutes with interests in polymers, engineering, chemistry, physics, or medicine. Even in this time of tight budgets undergraduate institutions might also consider purchasing the complete Encyclopedia. ~~~
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Encvclooedla of Polvmer Sclence and - -, Technology. Plastlcr, Reslns. Rubbers. Fibers. Supplement Volume 1: Acrylonltrlle Polymers. Degradation lo VlnyI Chloride. Edited by Herman F.Mark, Polytechnic Institute of New York, and Norbert M. Bikoles, Rutgers University. Interscience Publishers, New York, 1976. xix 674 pp. Figs. and tables. 19.5 X 27 cm. $55.
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The Encyclopedia of Polymer Science and Technology-Supplement Volume 1utilizes a good selection of authors who are not only familiar with their topics, but who are actively contributing t o advances within the topics so they present the topics in a mature, coherent manner. It is a supplement--not an updating of the original Encyclopedia. Thirty-one topics are listed within Supplement Volume 1.The topics illustrate the diversity and largeness of "Polymer Science and Technology" including topics related to medical research and biochemistry such as Contact Lens, Synthetic Polysaccharides, Solid-state Method of Polypeptide Synthesis, Biocides, Distribution of SubstituentsCellulose, Biosynthesis of Proteins and Sutures; engineering such as Automotive Ap-
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Charles E. Carraher
Wright State Universify Dayton, Ohio 45431
The Chemists and the Word: The Dldactlc Origins of Chemistry Owen Honnoway, The Johns Hopkins University. The Johns Hopkins University Press. Baltimore. Marvland. 1975. xiii
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Although, in the words of Frederic L. Holmes, "this book is unquestionably a highly significant contribution to the history of science," it will probably find only limited use in undergraduate chemistry courses. It does not deal with the origins of modern chemical education, as this reviewer mistakenly supposed from the title, but rather with the origins of chemistry as a distinctive scholarly discipline. In contrast t o the generally prevalent view that chemistry emerged as an individual branch of science only during the late 18th centurv. Professor Hannawav identifies the orieins of chemistrv with t h i
ical classic. The author portrays Lihavius as a "stout defender of humanist Lutheran culture, who sought t o counter the religious enthusiasm and radical social criticism inherent in the (Continued on page A54J ...
A52 / Journal of Chemical Education
