RECENT BOOKS PHY~~C CHEMISTRY. AL 1.N . Brpnsted, Professor in Copenhagen University. Translated by R. P. Bell, M.A., BSc., Fellow of Balliol College, Oxford. Foreword by F. G. Donnan, D.Sc.. F.R.S., Professor of Chemistry in the University of London. Translation from the 1936 Danish edition. The Chemical Publishing Co. of New York, Inc., New York City, 1938, ex$1.40. clusive American agents. xv 394 pp. 71 figs. 13.5 X I n this textbook, the authors have abridged and modified their 21.5 cm. $5.00. earlier hook, Q~ALITATIVE A N A L Y ~mI ~n CHEMICALEQUILIa n r m , which was reviewed in a recent number of this Journal This book is the basis of instruction in physical chemistry in 114,448(1937)l. Their purpose was t o adapt the text for use in the author's classes in Copenhagen University and the Danish schools where qualitative analysis is given as a part of the course Technical College. I t s small size belies its content, for it is in eeneral chemistry, rather than as a separate course. packed with good things from cover to cover. Condensation is The presentation of the theoretical portion of the subject, achieved by the use of the thermodynamic approach and total which occupies approximately two-thirds of the present text, lack of a discussion of experimental methods. The only subjects remains unchanged, except for the elimination of the quantitative omitted that are found in the average text are the fundamental treatment of oxidation-reduction equilibria and half-reactions, laws of chemical combination, and so forth, any discussion of the and the omission of a few of the more di5cult problems. The relationship between constitution and physical properties (except outstanding clarity of the dincussion of the concept of chemical the parachor). and thermochemistry per se. equilibrium, and the nnutsual wealth of authoritative informaThe thermodynamics of Willard Gihbs is used throughout, tion which is presented, were commented upon in the earlier modified in the section an electrochemistry by the introduction of review. The writer heartily concurs in the favorable opinion of Guggenheim's electrochemical potential and Bry(nsted's electrothe previous reviewer as t o the excellence of this portion of the motive potential of metals. However, the kinetic approach is not text. entirely ignored. Maxwell's and Boltzmann's equations are A minor improvement might have been made in the discussion derived, in addition to the fundamental kinetic equation, and of amphoteric hydroxides, by the formulation of such anions as used thereafter, particularly in the chapter on reaction kinetics. zincate and aluminate as hydroxyl complexes. Following the Quantum mechanics is applied in connection with specific heats discussion of complex ions in the preceding chapter, the presen- and other atomic and molecular processes. tation of this viewpoint-at least, as an alternative to the traThe arrangement of subjects is logical. Opening with an exditional on-would have seemed especially appropriate. cellent discussion of the laws of thermodynamics, the author I n the portion of the book which deals with the properties of takes up the states of aggregation, molecular theory, mixtures, the ions and procedures for their identification, only ammonium, the theory of dilute solutions (noteworthy), homogeneousequilibsodium, potassium, silver, lead, mercury, copper, tin, zinc, man- ria, electrolytes (including an excellent discussion of the author's ganese, iron, chromium, aluminum, calcium, and barium, among theory of protolysis) reaction kinetics (with a small amount of the cations, have been included, while the treatment of anions is photochemistry), electrochemistry, affinity (especially comlimited t o chloride, nitrate, sulfate, carbonate, and sulfide. To mendable), and surface and colloid chemistry. Twenty-seven some teachers, this restriction may appear too drastic, even for tables of illustrative material are incoroorated in the text. a short course. A brief discussion of the use of the centrifuge To American teachers the book will appear unusual in the abhas been added to the section on manipulative procedures. The scncc of thc attempt to picture merlranisms and structures and comprehensive table of physical properties of compounds, which the total lack 01 problems and rcfcrences. Several of the symbols constituted a distinctive feature of the earlier hook, has been are not in common use on this continent but are clearly defined omitted. and should occasion no difficulty. The typography leaves someThe hook is hound in paper covers, an innovation which results thing to he desired. in a markedly lower price and increased convenience in handling, To the teacher and advanced student Professor Brgnsted's a t the cost, however, of greatly decreased durability. This work should prove an invaluable stimulus. T o the beginning seems unfortunate, since the text contains so much theoretical student of physical chemistry i t will probably prove more valumaterial likely to he valuable to the student who pursues further able as a reference than as a text. I n brief, i t is a physical work in chemistry, that it would be well worth preserving. chemist's physical chemistry. Typographical errors have been almost completely avoided. MALCOLM M. HARINO On page 136, however, "Fe++" appears instead of "FeC++." UNIV&RS~TY OF MARYLAND It is doubtful whether such pentavalent cations as Asct+++ and COLLEOB P *.K, M*.Y'*ND Sh+++++,page 182,have any actual existence; and the statement on page 257 that manganates in the solid state are violet is Co~eusrIoN, FLAMESAND E x ~ ~ o s r o Noa s GASES. Bernard undoubtedly erroneous. Leun's, Ph.D. (Cantah.), Physical Chemist, U. S. Bureau of Although the preliminary experiments are instructive and the Mines Experiment Station, Pittsburgh, Pa., and Gnenther van procedures are adequately described, the authors have made no Elbe, Ph.D. (Berlin), Physical Chemist, Coal Research Lahoattempt to include the most recent improvements in analytical ratory, Carnegie Institute of Technology, Pittsburgh, Pa. procedure, nor t o furnish detailed directions for meeting every Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, England. The possible m c u l t y which might be encountered in practice. EmMacmillan Co., New York City, 1938. xv 415 pp. 75 phasis is placed upon the application of principles, rather than figs. 14 X 22 cm. $5.50. upon instruction in analytical technic. This treatment is in accord with the authors' main p u r p o s e t o develop a thorough This most recent addition to the Cambridge Series of Physical understanding of the subject of chemical equilihrium-which they Chemistry, edited by Professor E. K. Rideal of Cambridge have admirablv fulfilled. University, maintains the high standard of its predecessors. E L E ~ N T A RPRINCIPLES Y OP QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS. T. R. Hogness, Associate Professor of Chemistry, University of Chicago, and Werren C. Johnson. Associate Professor of Chemistry, University of Chicago. Henry Holt and Co., New York City, 1938. x 325 pp. 27 figs. 14 X 22 cm.
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The authors have set out t o give a comprehensive and unified treatment of the important features of the oxidation of com-
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