Edited by B. J.Aylett, Westfield College, University of London Volume 5: Transltlon Metals-Part
I
Edited by D.W A. Sharp, University of Glasgow. Volume 6: Transltlon Metals-Part
II
Edited by M J Mays, University of Cambridge. Volume 7: Lanthanides and Actlnides
Edited by K. W. Bagnall, University of Manchester. Volume 8: Radlochemistry
Edited by A. G. Maddock, University of Camhridge. Volume 9: Reaction Mechanisms in Inorganic Chemistry
Edited by M L. Tobe, University College, University of London. Volume 10: Solid State Chemistry
Edited by L. E. J. Roberts, AtomicEnergy Research Establishment, Harwell. Philip C. Keller Univemity of Arizona Tuc50n. Arizona 85721
Boron Hydride Chemistry
Earl L. Muetterties, Editor, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York. Academic Press, New York, 1975. xii 532 pp. Figs. and tables. 15.0 X 22.6 cm. $49.50.
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Fourteen chemists have authored the 12 chapters which comprise this text. In addition to the Introduction, written hy Earl L. Muetterties, theeditor of the text, the chapters and authors are: "Advances in Theoretical Studies of Boron Hydrides" by William N. Lipscomb, "Nido- and Araehno-Boron Hydrides" by Sheldon G. Shore, "Gas Phase Reactions of Borane" by Thomas P. Fehlner, "Solution Reactions of Borane and Substituted Boranes" by Daniel J. Pasto, "Boron Cations" by G. E. Rysehkewitseh, "Borazines" by Donald F. Gaines and Jorjan Borlin, "Closo-Boron Hydrides" by Richard L. Middaugh, "Icosahedral Carboranes" by Herbert Beall, "Carbaranes" by Thomas Onak, "Closo-Heteroboranes Exclusive of Carboranes" by G. B. Dunks and M. F. Hawthorne and "Nido-Heteroboranes" by Patrick A. Wegner. This reviewer found the selection of topics well suited for a text on boron hydrides. The level of writing is appropriate for graduate students and research-oriented undergraduates. It is sufficiently detailed and referenced to serve as a valuable research text as well as a source of up-to-date teaching material. The breadth of its coverage allows the teat to serve as a stand-alone source on the subiect. eomoarable. and in some wavs
(Continued on page A472) Volume 53, Number 11, November 1976 / A471
book reviews The introductory chapter consists of a review of the three-center bond concept, a survey of boron hydride, cluster and coordination compound geometries, and a description of the dynamic prwesses sometimes associated with such structures. The most recent theoretical treatments of the handing in boron hydrides and earboranes are the subject of the second chapter. Electron density maps and molecular parameters derived from SCF calculations are emphasized. Molecular orbital shapes and energies for boron hydrides and carboranes are tabulated in the appendices. Chapter three deals with the structural and chemical properties of BzHs, BaHm BsH9, BsHu. BsHm BsHm BgHls, BloHlr, B d m BI6H2o.and Bl8H2~.S p e e d attention is given to "B nmr for its central role in the elucidation of boron hydride structures. A detailed survey of the chemical reactions of these substances is presented. The fourth chapter describes the gas phase studies of monoborane which have provided nearly all the experimental information available on that species. The dissociation of diborane and borane adduets is discussed. The chemical behavior of boranes in solution is the subject of the fifth chapter. Hydroboration, reduction, and hydrogen elimination reactions of borane with organic functional groups are emphasized. Chapter six concerns cationic boron species of the type D2BY2+,D8BYz+,and D4B3+ (D represents a monodentate neutral donor), their svnthesis and chemical ~ r a ~ e r t i e s .
A472 / Journal of Chemical Education
The structures, bonding, and spectroscopic properties of borazines are described in ehaoter seven alone with the svnthetic routes tu these interestmg compounds. The rhemical reactions of horazines are ahu surveyed. Thme boron hydrides and their deriwt~ve ions with cage structures are the subject of chapter eight. Their syntheses and chemical properties are reviewed in thecontext of the special bonding associated with the boron cage frameworks. Chapters nine and ten describe the carboranes, the former chapter treating only the CzBloHlzfamily of crvboranes and the latter concentrating on the several other types of carboranes. Aspects of structure and bonding are introduced, followed by synthetic approaches and chemical behavior. The closing chapters deal with the heteroboranes. First the closo-heteroboranes are described, then the less developed area of the nido-heterobaranes. The burgeoning chemistry of heteroborane anian-metal complexes is reviewed and the known compounds tabulated. This reviewer found only one subject of concern regarding this text: its price. Whatever the reason(s), it is regrettable that this fine text is priced beyond the means of so many workers in the area.
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Russ~IIA. Geanangel Universilyof Houston Houston. Texas 77004
Enzyme Klnetlcs, Behavlor and Analysls 01 Rapid Equilibrium and Steady-State Enzyme Systems Irwin H. Segel, University of California. John Wiley & Sons, New York, 1975. xaii 957 pp. Figs. and tables. 23.5 X 16 em. $27.50.
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The aim of this book is indicated in the preface to be two-fold: to be used as a manual and guide for biological researchers, who analyze steady-state behavior of enzyme systems, and to be used as a textbook about enzvme kinetics. The book is verv valuable for thc first purposr, bur asa rextt,wkcould he remmmrndcd only as a supplementary reading. The subtitle of the book explicitly excludes transient kinetics (mainly stop-flow and relaxation methods) but in a textbook one would expect, a t least in the introductory chapter, some indication of what transient methods could accomplish that steady-state kinetics could not, perhaps with a demonstration of a simple model. This compares unfavorably with the monographs of Gutfreund, Westley, Laidler, and Reiner. Steady-state kinetics could be applied to closedsystems and to open systems with the concentration of the first substrate held constant and the last product removed, a common situation in uioo. This book is limited to kinetics of closed systems, without any mention of multiple steady-states, ascilla-
