there is an excellent explanation of pH. However, the relationship to Arrhenius theory is not given even though the chapter begins with a description of classical ioniaation theory. To be useiul to the student who will study no more chemistry, his textbook should also help him to see links between pH and: the periodic system, the atomic theory, the kinetic molecular theory, and the electron theory BENTLEY EDWARDS U~rvms1~ or7 C*~rronrr* B ~ ~ K ~ LC*~lronm* EY.
LABORATORY EXPERIMENTS IN GENERAL CHEMISTRY
G. Brooks King, Professor of Chemistry, State College of Washington, and William E. Coldwell, Professor of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Oregon State College. American Book Company, New York, 1956. ix 324 pp. 48 figs. 21 X 27.5 cm. Paper bound. $3.25.
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THE manual consists of 65 experiments arranged to accompany the authors' text, "The Fundamentals of College Chemistry"; however, the experiments are of such nature as to allow a marked degree of flexibility in the choice of order and number. Most o m be completed in from two to three hours. A reasonable number are quantitative in nature. A brief treatment of qualitative analysis is included in the last eight experiments and these could be incorporated into the regular sequence of experiments. The reviewer was aamewhat disappointed in the brief and inadequate discussion of the use of the balance and in the tendency for the labomtor.v manual to follow the "work book format" so common to a great majority of the manuals currently being published. Included in the appendix are helpful tables on common properties of the elements, valences, solubility rules, activity series, and equipment and chemical lists required for the experiments. THOMAS C. VAN OSDALL SANTAAN* COLLEQE S*NT* AN*, C*IIIORNI*
WORKBOOK AND EXPERIMENTS FOR COLLEGE CHEMISTRY David P. Marble, Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Wisconsin State College. Burgess Publishing Co., Minneapolis, 1956. 116 pp. 2 1 X 27.5 Em. Paper vi bound. $3.50.
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THIS 11~bomtorym&nual O O ~ S ~ Sof~ S33 experiments divided into 5 units of work: (1)Introduction to Chemistry, (2) Chemical Notation, (3) Gases, (4) Water and Solutions, and (5) Classification of Elements and Compounds. Following each of the experiments is a list of exercises, a. review of pertinent basic concepts, and JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL EDUCATION
typical problems. As a preface to the experiments, five lessons review the use of the slide rule and the fundamental mathematical conoepts necemary to the work in general ohemistry. As the author states, the experiments are presented in a direct, simple, and comprehonsible manner so that no student should find i t necessary to spend a great amount of time pusaling over the meaning of the instructions. Unfortunately, thore is little to excite the interest of a better than average student. Probably a firat-class student will find himself reeating activities already performed in a. good high-school chemistry course. THOMAS C. VAN OSDALL SANTAAN* COLGEOE SANT*AN*, CALIFORNIA
TECHNIQUE OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY. VOLUME 11: CATALYTIC, PHOTOCHEMICAL, AND ELECTROLYTIC REACTIONS Edited by Arnold Weissberger, Research Laboratories, Eastman Kodak Company, Rochester, New York. Second edition. Interscience Publishers, Inc.. New York, 543 pp. 8 7 figs. 79 1956. ix tables. 16 X 23.5 cm. $1 1.50.
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"TECANIQUEof Organic Chemistry" is a series of volumes dmignod to keep the organic chemist abreast of modern developments in technique, methods, approaches, facilities, and interpretations. Nine volumes have already heen pnhlished, and further volumes are cont,emplated 8s developments make i t dcsirablo and authors of adequate qnaliticstions are available. The series a8 a whole is aimed nt s consistent presentation of the field, hut each volome is a self-contained unit, and is revised and brought up to date whenever the development in the particular field makes i t necessary. Volume 11, as well as Volumes I, 111, and V, will he available in second editions by tho end of 1956. Catalytic, photmhcmieal, and eloctroehemicsl reactions, more than many other hrsnohep of preparative organic chemistry, require special apparatus and techniques. The subst,antial advances that have been made since the first edition appeared in 1948 are refleetod in this greatly expanded sceond edition which includes, as completely ncw material, a long section giving detailed procedures for catalytic reactions and tables of more than 500 electrolytic reactions, showing reactants, products, yields, and literature references. The comorehensiveness of this volume is attested b y the more than 1530 specific references and 48 general references which are included. Catalytic, photochemical, and electrolytic reactions have heen used far a long time in preparative organic chemistry but have not found as wide an application as they might deserve. Apparatus for electrochemical work, though very simple, is available in relatively few organic laboratories. Photochemical reactions are cmplayed in the organic laboratory in a rat,hor haphaeard way. I t is helieved t,hnt the three chapters will dem(Conlinued on page AISO) VOLUME 34, NO. 3, MARCH, 1957
