book reviews Dipole Moments in Organic Chemistry
Vladimir I . Minikin, Osip A . Osipou, and Yurii A . Zhdanou, all of Rostov University, Rostov-on-Don, USSR. Plenum Press, New York, 1970. xi 288 pp. Figs. and tahles. 23.5 X 15.5 cm. $19.50.
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This is the first full hook devoted to the subject which has appeared since the two monographs of 1955, which have long been the standard works (C. P. Smyth, "Dielectric Behavior and Structure," and J. W. Smith, "Electric Dipole Moments"). There have been occasional review articles and chapters, but a great deal of literature from up until 1968 has now been digested into this text. The first three chapters concern principles of the subject. This material has changed little since 1955, hut is a readable account of the state of the art. The chapters are Basic Principles of the Theory of Dielectrics (40 pages); Nature of the Dipole Moment and Methade for its Determination (38 psges); and Calculations in the Dipole Moment Method (48 pages). The remainder of the book con~istsof the applications which will he of interegt to organic chemists. The discussion of the determination of stereochemistry involving cis and trans isomers of such things ns olefins and am oompounds is discussed, followed by a discussion of the
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dipole moments of compounds in which there can he hindered rotation about single bonds, such as 2,3-butsnedione. References are given to structural conclusions drawn by other methods such as infrared spectra, proton magnetic resonance spectre, and the use of Kerr constants, and generslly, of course, these methods are in reasonable agreement with one another. Hindered rotation in the case of orthosubstituted biphenyls and related molecules is discussed, and some examples given. Very brief consideration is given to the stereochemistry of four- and fivemembered rings, and then the data on six-membered rings is discussed fairly thoroughly. Since a. number of sucbmolecules have been examined (for example, 1,2-dihdides, substituted cyclohexanones, piperidine rings, and so on), this material occupies about 11 pages. Then higher rings and fused ring systems are discussed, with examples from the medium rings and particularly from fused rings such as norharnane derivatives and the like. The chapter, Dipole Moments and Electronic Structure of Organic Compounds then follows, some 56 pages, largely devoted to a study of the effect of induction on the ohserved dipole moment of a molecule. This is a good concise review of the available literature. Some discussion of pi charges in planar conjugated systems is also given. The book then concludes with Eome special problems in structure, including tautomerizatian and particularly hydrogen bonding.
It is noted thrtt there are other methods, especially the Stark effect, for measuring dipole moments. However, these other methads have been seldom used to study molecules large enough to he interesting to organic chemists, and so they are not discussed in much detail here. All in all, this is a useful hook for anyone interested in the general suhject. I t gives s fairly concise and accurate discussion of the literature up until the last few years, and gives all of the necessary leading references. N. L. ALLINGER Uniuersity of Georgia Athens, 50601
Essays in Structural Chemistry
Edited by A . J . Downs, L. A. K . Stave ley, both of University of Oxford, and D. A. Ihng, University of Bradford. Plenum Press, New York, 1971. xxiv 479 pp. Figs. and tables. 24 X 16 em. $27.50. This book is a Festschrift dedicated by colleagues and former students to Dr. L. A. Woodward, tutor a t Jesus College, Oxford; known to many of us as a. teacher and researcher in the University Inorganic Chemktry Lshoratory; and, as we learn
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book reviews %move chess problems. The wide range of material contributed by 20 authors in 18 chapters makes a really critical review a iormidahle task for one person. These chapters are (1)Molecular force fields and vnlency, J. W. Linnett; (2) The hyper Rsman effect, D. A. Long; (3) Vibrational assignments in small molecules, W. H. Fletcher; (4) Interferometry: Experimental techniques and applications to inorganic stlmctures, G. W. Chantry; (5) Single crystal and hightemperature gas-phase Itaman spectroscopy, I. R. Beabtie; (6) High resolution Raman spectroscopy of gases, H. G. M. Edwards; (7) Intermoleculnr force effects
in the Raman spectra of gases, C. G. Gray and H. L. Welsh; (8) Itaman spectra of alkali halides, 11. S. Krishnan; (9) Atomic interactions in molecdar, covalent, ionic and metallic crystals, S. Mieushima and I. Ichishima; (10) Structural aspects of the I\lnssbauer effect, J . F. Duncan; (11) Non-staichiometry in fluorite structures, I,. E . J. 12oberts; (12) Some aspects of solvation, H. J. V. Tyrrell; (13) Vibmtionalspectroscopicstudiesof complexes in solution, D. N. Waters; (14) Vibrst,ional studies of the Jehn-Teller effect, J . A. Creighton, (15) Spectroscopic properties of the diatomic oxides of t,he trmsitian elements, R. F. Barrow; (16) Vibrational studies of metal-metal banding, hI. J. Ware; (17) Infrared and Raman spectra of organometallic and related compounds, J. R. Hall; and (18) Structural aspects of sulphur-fluorine chemistry, H. L. Roberts.
Since many of these topics have been reviewed recently elsewhere, the question arises as who really should buy this book. Firstly, I would recommend it to anyone interested in the application of vibrational and especially of laser R s m m spectroscopy in inorganic chemistry. The English have led the world in this latter area, in no small measure because of the work of Woodward and his students. Chapters 5, 6, 13, 14, 16, and 17 are %I1especially authoritative and up-to-date reviews of laser Raman studies on diRerent inorganic systems. Secondly, all of the chapters are wellwritten, and this book is a veritable treasure-trove of material for problems to be assigned by anyone teaching an advanced course in structural inorganic chemistry. Thc editors are to be commended for hsving seen that an excellent production jab was done by the publisher. For such a commemorative volume, it is remarkably iree of typographical errors. Finally, the royalties go to a good cause, the establishment of s. prize in Woodward's name a t Jesus College. R. STWART TOBIAS Purdue University Lafaptte, Indiana 47907
Qualitative Concepts from Quantum Chemistry
Russell S. Drago, University of Illinois. Bogden and Quigley, Ino., Publishers, Tarrytown-on-Hudson, New York, 126pp. Figs. and tahles. 1971. viii 28 X 21.5 em. $3.50, softbound.
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At a, time when i t has become quite fashionable to write a. supplement for tl&e general chemistry course, Russell Drago has entered the scene with his "Qualitative Concepts From Quantum Chemistry." I t is this reviewer's opinion that this small book will be quite well received. The material which Drago has chosen is well presented and clearly written. The chapter titles gives a quick over-view of the material presented. They include (1) Preliminary Considerations, (2) Quantum Mechanics, (3) Chemical Periodicity, (4) Correlations of Periodic Arrangement with Chemical Reactivity, (5) Bonding, and (6) Properties of Compounds Related to Structure. The design of the book is very appealing with wide margins for additional notes. One of the very strong points about the book in the inclusion oi twenty tests (with answers) far the student to check his mastery of the material. These lest3 are located within each chapter immediately iollowing the presentation of new material. In addition a group of exercises (again with answers) are provided a t the end of each chapter as a further cheek-point for the student. The mathematical level of the book is not high but mathematics has not been avoided ss so often is the case. Drago poinb out in the Preface, "I shall lead yuu through this jungle of mathematics." As the author goes on to say, "This approach may even show the need and provide the motivation for serious students to
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