EDTA Titrations
H. Flasehka, Georgia. Institute of Technology, Atlanta. Pergamon Press, New York, 1959. 138pp. 10 figs. 14.5 X 22cm. $6.50
BOOK
REVIEWS
General Chemistry
P. W. Sdwoord, Professor of Chemistry, Northwestern University. 3rd ed. Henry Holt & Co., New York, 1959. x 661 pp. Many figs. 17 X 24 cm. $6.95.
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This new edition contains a number of notable changes from previous issues. The first part of the hook has been rather extensively recast, giving a smoother introduction. A larger print and more attractive styling is used, with all illustrations redone and enlarged. The basic approach and narrative style chssacteristic of the second edition is retained, beginning with the concept of atoms, atomic structure and atomic combinations; cbemical arithmetic, states of matter, molecules and molecular weights are then discussed, followed by descriptive chemistry of oxygen m d hydrogen and a general treatment of the periodic law. Chapters on chemistry and energy, and solutions are then presented, followed by sections on the descriptive ohemiatry of the non-metals and the metals. The inorganic material is concluded with a chapter on nuclear chemistry. As in the earlier edition the last quarter of the book is devoted to the chemistry of carbon and organic cbemistry. This section does not appear to have been changed makrierially. The narrative style provides interesting reading although i t increases the amount of material to he digested by the student. Many quotes which give a strong histor-
Mast textbooks in quantitative analysis devote less than six pages to a discussion of complexometric titrations with (ethylenedinitrilo) tetraacetic acid (EDTA). Yet this single rcagent has revolutionized madern inorganic titrimetrie analysis. Alical flavor are included from the works of though several hooks on analytical applimen eminent in the early developmmt of cations of amino polycarhoxylic acids are our science. available (e.g., "Compleuometric TitraTo this reviewer, clarity of presentation tions," by G. Scbwareenbsch, translation is one of the strongest points of the book. by H. Irving, Interscience, Kew York, I t is easy to read, the illustrations are 1057),none of these is particularly suitable excellent, sample problems in the sections for use in an undergraduate chemistry involving stoichiometry are well-planncd course. The author h:is written a suppleand ample exercises are provided a t the mentary textbook hssedupon exten&reend of each chapter. search and teaching experience with EIITA The chapter on the periodic table and t,itrations which will h e h fill the erowine electronic structure ha8 heen considerably need far additional reference material on improved over the second edition. The this important subject. older use of a ring representation of Folloning a brief historical introduction electronic structure of atom8 and molecules and qualitative description of chelate forhas been dropped in favor of modem conmation, the basic theory of complexometric cepts and the use of dot formulas has heen titration curves, metal ion indicators, tigreatly increased. tration selectivity, and masking is preThe author does not use ionic equations sented. A mathematical derivation of as much as seems desirable in discussing "the apparent stability constant" as a reactione which occur in solution. Diacusfunction of pH and competing equilibria is sion of the chemistry of the metals is limdiscussed in reasonable detail. In a numited largely t o metallurgical processes and ber of eases principles are illustrated b y types of compounds, with very little insample calculations and/or simple laharacluded concerning solution chemistry of tory experiments. Two chapters descrihthe metals and the problems of complex ing preparation of reagents and hints for ion form%tiotion. Oxidation-reduction relaboratory work will he appreciated by artions are treated very briefly; halfthose who wish to avoid the pitfalls t h a t reaction method of balancine is not discussed. may he encountered in the w e of EDTA. In agreement with the author, i t has been Usms of the Selwood text will find this the experience of the reviewer that imis not just a token revision hut one in pyoper regard for one or more of the fine which many improvements have been points mentioned in this section accounts made. for most of the difficulties with these N. W. G R E ~ ~ R Ytitrations. Six chapters are devoted to a Universily of Washington survey of the different modes of complexoSeattle metric titration including detailed procedures for several analyses that may be accomplished b y each method. Examples of molticomponent mixtures that may be determined with x standard solution af EDTA are also given. All examples have been chosen from the reactions of about twenty common elements. The final three chapters briefly cover the application of potentiometric and photometric endpoint detection as applied to complexometric titrstions. Ampemmetric, thermometric, and conduetometric techniques are mentioned hut not discussed. A group of sample questions and problems are included in Appendixes A and B respectively. For the most part the topics have been wisely selected and carefully developed. References have been inserted a t the end of a number of chapters to encourage further study. The discussion of selectivity of complexometric titrations could he improved by introduction of pM versus pH diagrams. It also appears that the organization of the hook might be strengthened if a chapter were written which contained a summary of EDTA chemistry, i.e., kinetic, pH, and oxidation state variables found with the common dements. This
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Volume 37, Number I , January 1960
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