V O L U M E 22, NO. 8, A U G U S T 1 9 S O
1069
Analytical Absorption Spectroscopy. Absorptimetry and Colorimetry. M . G. Mellon, editor. vii 618pages. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 440 Fourth Ave., New York 16, N. Y., 1950. Price,
+
$9. In the preface the editor states that the authors’ aim was to present the material “from the viewpoint of what seems of most Introduction to Semimicro Qualitative Chemical Analysis. practical concern in a modern chemical testing and analytical Louis J . Curtmun. Revised ed. xvi 391 pages. Macmillan laboratory.” The editor and his eight contributors (L. J. Brady, Co., 60 Fifth Ave., New York 11, N. Y., 1950. Price, $3.50. W. B. Fortune, K. S. Gibson, E. R. Holiday, D. B. Judd, M. L. Moss, R. H. Muller, and E. I. Stearns) accomplish their object The first edition of this text appeared in 1942 and has been in nine well written chapters. Starting with an examination of successfully used in many colleges. It is conventional in its the chemical requirements for the preparation of samples and of approach, one third of the book being devoted to general theoretithe physical principles involved in analytical absorptimetry, the cal dkcussions, one fifth to the general behavior of cations and book proceeds to give discussions of theory and applications and anions, and most of the remainder to experiments and to the descriptions of a great variety of instruments suitable or required systematic examination of unknowns. The theoretical principles are simply but adequately explained, for work in the visible, ultraviolet, and infrared regions. problems are given with answers (as they should be), and the Analytical chemists will find this volume a valuable addition to laboratory procedures are the result of careful experiments that their library of reference books. They will appreciate the exhave stood the t w t of practical use. The author has used organic tensive literature references, particularly of Chapter 1, which reagents very sparingly, and this is commendable. refer to the analysis of many inorganic and organic constituer$s. A possible criticism may be voiced by those who are alresdy Chapter 7, “Applications of Ultraviolet and Visual Spectrophotousing the former edition of this text-namely, that the changes metric Data,” is also noteworthy because of the stress placed on and additions in the new edition are so few in number that one illustrating by means of examples the many types of analytical might wonder if a new edition is really justified. The first 188 problems that occur in a testing laboratory. pages are virtually without changes and the remainder of the Chapter 9, “Measurement and Specification of Color,” covers a book conhim only 14 pages more than in the case of the previous vast amount of ground and apparently presupposes some knowledition. Of these, six are additions to the appendix. Four pages edge of the field of color analysis. Beginners w i l l have some have been inserted to cover the familiar ferric chloride method for difficulty with the chapter, but the citations to the relevant literathe removal of phosphate, which the author offers to those who do ture will permit those who seek more background concerning this not wish to use his less conventional zirconyl chloride method. type of testing to obtain readily the necessary information. The remaining four additional pages represent auxiliary tests for There is some overlapping in the various chapters, but this does sulfite and fluoride and a few other additions to procedures and not detract from the value of the book. The small amount of footnotes, mostly in the anion analysis. repetition can even be considered beneficial, because it highlights Briefly, therefore, this edition is a comparatively minor reJACOBCKOUK s. G. SIMPSON factors of importance to accurate analysis. vision of an excellent elementary text.
+
First International Congress of Microchemistry, Graz, Austria PHILIP W. WEST, Louisiana State llniversity, Baton Rouge, La.
0
VER 600 chemists met in Graz, Austria, for the First International Microchemical Congress. The meeting, which waa held July 2 to 8, 1950,attracted microchemists from twentyone countries for a program consisting of 121 lectures on pure and applied microchemistry. Those attending the congress found ti wide variety of subjects covered in the program, including a number of excellent reviews which served to give an orientation on current progress. There were also exhibits of books and apparatus which attracted much attention. Although the apparatus shown waa from European manufacturers only, there was a good variety displayed, and a number of demonstrations were made showing new techniques and new operational features of instrument& The influence of Pregl and Emich on the scientific activity of Austria waa obvious upon noting the large number of microchemista registered from Austria. Certainly, visitors were impressed by the tours through the laboratories of these pioneers in the field of microchemistry, and it waa encouraging to see the continuingactivity of the Austrian school of microchemists. One of the highlights of the Congress waa the unveiling of a bust of Friedrich Emich at the opening ceremony by his daughter, Mrs. Kindler, now of Berlin. The bust waa contributed by microchemists from various parta of the world and will now take its place in Graz along with that of Pregl, which had been unveiled earlier. The ceremony marked the 20th anniversary of the death of Pregl and the 10th anniversary of Emich’s death.
In addition to the formal program of papers, there were a nunber of separate activities, such as the meetings of the Committee on New Reagents and Reactions of the International Congress of Pure and Applied Chemistry, The committee considered plans to bring out an English edition of the “Fourth Report on Reagents for Qualitative Analysis,” m well as to extend its activities to include certain phases of colorimetry. A general assembly of the Congress waa also held and plans were discussed for a proposed future microchemical congress to be held in 1954. Paris, Delft, Brussels, or Milan were considered &B possible sites for the next meeting. On the lighter side, the congress will be remembered for the pleaaant surroundings and careful planning that made the visit in Grar such an enjoyable one. Buffeta were placed near the lecture halls and many profitable sessions were held, with men from different laboratories comparing notes. Papers presented at the congress are to be published aa a regular number of Mikrochemie uereinigt mit Mikrochimim Acta which is scheduled to appear in September. Separate copies of thia number will be obtainable at a cost of approximately $4.00; the address is Springer-Verlag, Vienna, Austria. Ap lication of Organic Complex Formers for the Separation and Aetermination of Metals with the Aid of Immiscible Solvents. E. ABRAHAMCZXK, Ludwigshafen on Rhein, Germany. Standardization of Microchemical Apparatus with Special
1WiU
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
Consideration of the Work Carried out in the U.S.A. H. K. A'LRER, Philadelphia, Pa. A Photometer for Threecolor Anslysis. A..G. DE ALMEIDA, Lisbon, Portugal. Sensitivity Limits of Optical Methods of Measurement in Microelectrophoresis and Microdiffusion. H. J. A ~ I L E R , Bonn, Germany.
Behavior of Acridine Dves as Fluoro Colors. F. DANOL. Vienna, Austria. Micromethod for the Quantitative Analysis of Archeological Bronzes by Spectrographic Methods. M. VAN DOORSELAER, Ghent, Belgium. Thermal Curves of Precipitates Described in the Book of Hecht and Donau. C. DUYAL,Paris, France. Quantitative Microanalysis of "Goldoleosolen." L. EBERT AND A. DIRSCHERL, Vienna, Austria. Development, Present State, and Outlook of Spot Test Analy Rio de Janeiro, Braail, AND P. H. WEST, Baton sis. F. FEIGL, Rouge, La. Microdetermination of Criticill Mixine Temneratures. R. FISCHER, Graz, Austria. Living Cells as Micro Reagents. B. FIULSCHENTR~LGER, Alexandria, Egypt. MicmReductor Buret. H. FLASCHK~. Graz. Austria. Semimicrodetermination of Glycolic Acid hherated in the Course of Oxidations with Periodic Acid. P. FLEURY, J. C o n TOIS. AND R. PERLES.Paris. France. I
W. FRIEDRICH, Kundx Austria: Mierodeterminstion of Halogens, Sulfur, and Selenium by Spectrographic Methods. A. GATTERER, Vatican. Method of Control of the Puritv of Certain Orwnic Compounds. M. H. GAULT,M. DOR~ANS, AND A. M. AZISRES, Paris, France. A Complex Borotartmte and Its Application to the Research and Microchemical Determination of the Borate Ion. J. A. Pans, France. GAUTIERAND P. PIGNARD, Photometric Determination of Small Amoun: of Uranium with Potassium Thiocyanate. M. GERHOLD, Klagenfurt, Austria. Observation of Living Chloroulasts with the Fluoremence Microscope. J. GICKEL~ORN, Viinna, Austria. A Calorimetric Micromethod for the Quantitative Determination Of Fusel Alcohols. s. GIERERAND 0. HOFFWANN-OSTENHOP,Vienna, .lustria. Graphic nPpwrentation of the Srnsitivity of Reartioris. The Sensitivity Dingram. J. C i i . ~ . ~ Ghmt, s, Ilel 'urn Foundation o i Amlied 3liernehemisrrs. &;: G;norcit. Graz. Austria. Quantitative Micro-Determination of Amino Acids in Protein. G. GORBACH, Grm, Austria. Microchemical Concedtration Procedures in Emission Spectral AND F. POHL. Graz. Austria. Analysis. G. GORBACH o-Phenanthroline as a Reagent for the &antibtive Determination o i V s i d i u m . .\. ( : o m u ~ s ,Grar,~Austria. Sean+ for l ' r u ~ sof Rare Elements with the Help of Luminescence .\nalvri.i. 11. H ~ n ~ ~ r ~Vienna. s n r . !\U9lria. Calarimetri; Determination of Small Amounts of Nitrate and Nitrite in Prdein-Containing Substances. H. HANNI, Liebefield, Switzerland. Micromethods for the Determination of Germanium. F. ms.
..
Bust of Friedrich Emioh Binveiled at Meeting LIST OF PAPERS PRESENTED
ladine in Mineral \Vater*. Ita 1)etermioation and Conecntration. 11. BALLEZO ASD G. >IOSDL, Vienna, Austria. Oxidimetrie Titrution* in .\lkdine Solurioni wirh Connedperiodate. Determination of Cdcium with Nmhthvl . . HGdroxsi . h t e . G. BECK,Bern, Switzerland. The Bcmdium-Specific Groups of Pyrophosphoric Acid. G. BECK.Bern. Switzerland. Detenhinatian of Carbon and Hydrogen in Fluorine Containing Organic Compounds. R. BELCHERAND R. G o u b DEN, Birmingham, England. Appreciation of the Develo ment of Micromethods. A. A. BENEDEITI-PICHLER,New Yo$, N. Y. A Practice1 and Theoretical View of Micro Hardness Testing. E. B. BERGSUN Vasteras, Sweden. Microchemical Invekigations on the Topical Distribution of Trace Elements in the Brain. H. BERTHA,Gras Austris. Method of Microdetermination of Alkali Met& Applicahle to Media of Biological Origin. G. BERTRAND AND D. BERTRAND, Paris,France. Microvolumetric Determination of Higher Titanium Contents, Especially in the Presence of Niobium. F. Biscaom, Gras, Austria. New Microtechni ue for the Analysis of Liquids by Displacement Adsorption. BWHM,Tomteboda, Sweden. Foasil Coloring Matters and Hvdrocarhons in Limestone. N. I
