BOOK REVIEWS and silazanes. I n these processes the ~ l l t h o evalklates r the oti1it.y and limitations of the various reaclions. The magnitude of this swvey is evidenced by t,he appsonimntely one hundred pages devoted to this area. The commercial utility of silanes is based primarily on the polymers obt,ained from a. few alkyl- and rtryl- chlorosilanes made, for the most part, by direct synthesis from silicon and organahalides. Methylhalosilanes are considered in delnil xs t,he author evaluntes the choice of catalyst and the preparation and activation of the contact. mixture. Data relate to the distribntion of the various prodncts on the basis of variations in time, temperature, promoters, and other variables. Extensive details are given for the laboratory synthesis of methylchlorosilanes in fluidiaed beds. I t is shown how control of the pracess can be attained by the adjmt,ment,of conditions. There follows a presentation of the preparation by direct synthesis of alkylchlorosilanes higher than the methyl series and also of alkenyl- and aryl- halonilanes. This direct synthesis of chlorosilanes has been the subject of many studies a n the kinetics and mechanisms of the reactions. Nearly a fourth of the book considers these details. The nature of the silicon-copper contact mixtures is followed during the colrrse of the reaction. The organic halide reacts with the polarized surface of the alloy with the organic g r o ~ pbecoming sttnched to the silicon and the halogen lo the copper. I t is proposed that the wt,e determining step i thus a nocleophilie attack of a chlorine ion on a silicon-suhstl.ate bond, details of which are given, followed by several concerted steps to the ~tltimatu product,. Then fallows a consideration in some detail of the physical and chemical properties of organohslosilanes. Iteact,ions are given of the silicon-hydrogen and silicon-halogen bonds. A brief tabulation is given of the physical properties of a wide variety of halosilanes. Only brief review is given of the industrial applications of the silicones obtained from the halosilanes. This review is sdequate to give a reasonable concept of the field and interesting pictures are given of industrial equipment. The hook ends with a considernlion of analytical processes, especially instrumental, applicable to the halosilanes. COURTLAND L. AGRE
Augsburg College Afinneapoli.3, Minnesota 5541 7
the transm~ltationof tho baser metals int,o gold or the search for a universal cure for diseases. 11, involved philosophic and religions ideas; the perfection of metals was taken as n aymholic representation of the perfection of man's soul. Astrology, nllmerology and mysticism, philosophy and psychology, mythology, and many nther fields were included. Was alchemy widsam or folly: were its practitioners sincere seekers after truth or charlatans and tricksters? From the practical side, mnch good came from this anrient art. The apparat11s developed and the aeqnnintance with the chemical and physical propwties of the materinls employed have heen of great value in the growth of chemistry. Liebigwas correct in hisstatement that the alchemy of the Sliddle Ages was nrtnally chemistry. The history of alchemy extended from the early pre-Christian times into the present century. I t changed its emphasis as time went a n but always i t was the center of controversy and hope, sometimes of wealth or spiritwd reward. The cryptic language employed and the highly involved artistic symbolism have been deciphered in part, though it. must be conceded t h s t the meanings were kept ohscore not only to protect secrets but also t o conceal the pancity or even complete absence of real knowledge and understanding. The author has shown his skill as a writer on academic n ~ h j e c t sfor t,he nonspecialist readers in mimerow previous books. I n the present case he has lraeed the history of alchemy from its beginnings in the pre-Christian centuries down to the present. Re obvioosly has read widely and thoroughly on his subject and has approached his sources with an open mind. He makes no firm judgments but leaves such decisions to his readers. He sets forth the ideas, notions, and findings as clearly as he can. To some, this may yield an unsatisfactory hook, but how else can an honest writer carry on? A good bibliography is provided for those whose interest may prompt additional reading and study of this haffling and perhaps esoteric topic. A major asset of this truly handsome volume resides in the numerous (130) beautiful plates phis 8 in full color. Even the endpapers and the dust jarket are employed to show nlehemicd symbols and representations. Me*tnre students, teachers, and practicing chemists would do well to consider this volume as a n addition to their libraries or to purchase i t as an appropriate gift to a chemicallyo~.philosophically-mindedfriend.
RALPHE. OESPER Unirm-sit?,of Cincinnati Cincinnati. Ohio
The Altr of t h e Alchemists
C. A . Burland, formerly of the British Museum, London, England. The Macmillan Co., New York, 1967. xiv 224pp. Figs. 17..5 X 25 em. $9.95.
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The term "alchemy" is a collective noim that embodies a conglomerate of ideas and consequently the composition of a book about this precursor of chemistry is no easy task. Despite the popular notion, alchemy was something far beyond
A512
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Journal o i Chemical Education
Great Accidents in Science that Changed t h e World
Jerome S . Meyer. Arco Pnblishing Company, New York 1967. 80 pp. Photographs and diagrams. 15 X 23 em. $3.95. The Preface states "The purpose of this book is to show how seemingly unimportant things are occurring all the timein our
daily lives, to which we pay . n o t the slightest attention, hut, many of which led t o great changes in civilization-beeaose someone did pay attention," Pastenr took this samo thooght an impart,ant step further whcn he declared that these cn~eial seemingly chance observstions always occur to the prepared minds. Though the anthor, doublless far theatrical purposes, adopts the position t,hat. the accidents discussed in this baok were in themselves peculiar to their discoverers, there is little doubt that eventnally they would have happened t,o someone else. Scientific t.snths do not remain nndiscovered farever, a fact that fundamentally distingoiahes science from the literary or nrlistir achievements. The masterpieces produced by Shakespeare, Beethoven, Rubens, etc., were not lying in wait so to speak; had these men not lived their work would never have heen created. This little hook was written for boys and girls b ~ i tt deserves a t least a brief ~ w i e where because i t admirably illustrates the kind of literature that should be pot into the hnnds of our juveniles. I t covers R wide range of topics and men, and in each case tells of the chance discovery and the conditions surrounding the latter and then gives a picture of the modern industries thst have been the eventnal frnits of these seeds. The chapter headings are: The bath that launched a million ships (Archimedes); The compass needle t h a t pointed east (Oersted); Five words that changed the world (Morse); Arid spilled on a pair of pants (Bell); A fourteen billion dollar industry ant, of a whsp's nest (REeumur); Why don't yon? (Eastman); Let's build a glider with one of those gas engines in i t (Wright hrothem); I t was old, dirty and moldy-hnt, he kept i t (Fleming); The lucky accident, that stretched around tho world (Goodyear). These were t,he beginnings, respectively, of: the shipping industry, electricity, t,elegraphy, the telephone, paper, modem photography and cinematography, air travel, antibiotics, and rubber. These chapters deal with chemistry only in an indirect fashion and a similar volume could probably be based on the "Accidents" that came to chemists. The illustrations constitute a major factor in this book and should he looked a t with much at,t,ention. 1Iany of t,hem have true historical value. The baok shorlld be included in school libraries or i t would be an appropriate gift to a yomgster with a n active mind.
RM.PA E . OESPER Univmsily oj Cincinnati Cincinnali, Ohio Keine Angst vor chemischen Formeln: Grundbegriffe der Chemie
Walter Botsch. 2nd ed. Frmckh'sche Verlagshandhmg, W. Keller & Co., Stuttgart, Germany, 1967. 88 pp. Plates and diagrams. 13 X 19.5 cm. DM 3.80 = 80.05. In rough translation the title of this little book is "Do Not he Afraid of Chemical Formulw." Designed far the lay reader i t presents in clear fmhion the
(Continz~edon page A514)
